The Nollywood Week Film Festival Unveils Official Selection for 2025 Edition

The Nollywood Week Film Festival has unveiled its official selection for the 12th edition, which will commence from May 7 to May 11, 2025, in Paris, France. The lineup features an impressive array of feature films, short films, television series, and animations, showcasing the finest works from Nigerian cinema.

Founded in 2013 by film enthusiasts and curators Nadira Shakur and Serge Noukoue, the festival was established to address the absence of Nollywood-focused events that appealed to Black communities in France and across Europe. It provides a gathering space for filmmakers, actors, influencers, and industry leaders from Nigeria, Africa, and its diaspora, celebrating cinema, culture, and community. This year’s edition will collaborate with AfroCannes.

The festival has earned recognition for acknowledging deserving talent while creating a platform that not only highlights Nigerian films but also bridges Francophone and Anglophone African cinema, facilitating communication and connection between these communities.

According to NOW, the festival promotes high-quality, thought-provoking, and entertaining productions from various African countries and the African diaspora. Known for exceptional curation from across the continent, the event extends beyond screenings to offer workshops, conferences, and Q&A sessions with industry professionals, allowing attendees to interact directly with African talent. Actress, director, and activist Aïssa Maïga serves as festival ambassador.

Feature films in the official selection compete for the Audience Choice Award (Prix du Public), presented to the film receiving the highest audience ratings. Past winners include “Sistà,” “King of Boys,” “About a Boy,” “Lockdown,” “Phone Swap,” “The Meeting,” “76,” “The Wedding Party,” and “Isoken.” The winning filmmaker receives the Nollywood Week Trophy and the opportunity to borrow premium Angénieux lenses free of charge for their next production.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Nollywood Week Film Festival’s 2025 program features an impressive lineup of 10 short films, including Abbesi Akhamie’s “The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Seyi Ajayi,” Moses Ipadeola’s “Ekun Iyawo,” John Oluwole Adekoje’s “Ye! The Ascension of the Geles,” Gilbert Lukalia’s “1992,” Yolande Eckel & Françoise Ellong-Gomez’s “Ayo,” and Nicolas Polixene & Sylvain Loubet’s “Cut Me If You Can.”

The festival will also showcase 11 feature films, including the anticipated sequel “After 30” (following “Before 30”), Okechukwu Oku’s “Black Out,” Taiwo Egunjobi’s “The Fire and the Moth,” Daniel Oriahi’s “The Weekend,”Biodun Stephen’s “Trade by Bata,” Lyndsey Efejuku’s “For Amina,” Sarah Kwaji’s “Out of Darkness,” Holmes Okechukwu Awa’s “Soft Love,” and Baker Karim’s “The Dog.”

Young audiences can enjoy the NollyKids program, featuring three African-made animations with a May 11 screening of “Hadu,” “Daddy’s Girl,” and “Le Mystère de Waza,” complemented by a selection of children’s books with live storytelling.

Additional titles will be announced in the coming weeks. Over its five-day run, the Nollywood Week Film Festival promises an engaging array of activities beyond screenings, including masterclasses, filmmaker Q&A sessions, and an Afrobeats party.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​