The 10th edition of Nollywood Week will take place at the Cinéma l'Arlequin in Paris from May 11 to 14. 5,000 people are expected to attend this must-see Nigerian film festival.
Nollywood Week is gradually unveiling the program for this anniversary edition, which will allow audiences to discover the latest in Nigerian and African cinema, not to mention the African diaspora, which is very much in evidence this year through short films and special screenings.
No fewer than nine Nigerian feature films will be screened in the official selection, including three world premieres. These films will be accompanied by 17 short films and four special screenings, bringing the total number of titles to be viewed over the four days to 30.
The program is packed, and the opening night on May 11 will feature the world premiere of the highly anticipated short film Love Language, about the dynamics of an interethnic couple. This film will be followed by Obara'M, a colorful work to be discovered in the presence of its famous director, Kayode Kasum, one of Nigeria's most prolific filmmakers with currently six titles on the popular streaming platform Netflix. From Thursday, May 11, to Sunday, May 14, festival-goers will be able to participate in various masterclasses and round tables, chat with directors and actors, attend pitching sessions and Afrobeats evenings, and vote for their favorite film to determine this year's Audience Award winner for the best feature film in the official selection.
There are a few new features to note for this 10th anniversary, including a screening for children on Sunday morning and a Jury Prize for both feature films and short films.
"I attended NollywoodWeek Paris for the first time in 2019 and met fellow filmmaker Dare Olaitan, who was presenting his film Knock Out Blessing. Since then, we have made three films together and in 2023 we are both in the official selection with our respective films. This festival has a special place in my heart, and I am very happy to be back for its 10th anniversary," said director Kayode Kasum. Who will succeed Moses Inwang, the 2022 winner with the film Confinement (editor's note: Lockdown in the original version), by winning the Audience Award in 2023? The answer will be revealed on May 14.