Daniel Oriahi’s Nollywood horror thriller The Weekend has secured a new international distribution deal with Canal+, expanding its reach across more than 60 French-speaking territories.
The agreement marks another milestone in the film’s global journey following its earlier licensing deal with HBO Max, a Warner Bros. Discovery streaming platform. That deal positioned The Weekend as the first independently produced Nigerian film to premiere on the service.
Production company Trino Motion Pictures confirmed the latest acquisition, describing the film’s international reception as a reflection of its strong narrative appeal.
“What started as a bold Nigerian story is now travelling across borders, languages and cultures, proving that powerful storytelling does not ask for permission, it commands attention,” the company said.
The film follows Nikiya, played by Uzoamaka Power, who travels with her fiancé, played by Bucci Franklin, to meet his parents for the first time, portrayed by Gloria Anozie and Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey. What begins as a routine visit gradually unravels into a tense horror narrative driven by secrets, survival, and cultural myth.
With its expanding international footprint, The Weekend continues to raise broader questions about the global circulation of Nollywood thrillers and their evolving audience reach.
The film’s growing distribution network also highlights the increasing visibility of Nigerian genre films on global platforms, signalling wider acceptance of locally produced stories in international markets.