Nigeria’s Nollywood is a treasure chest of stories, talent, and cultural power — but for it to truly take its seat on the global stage, the magic of creativity must be matched with the muscle of structure and sustainability.
That’s the heart of what Ladun Awobokun believes: that it’s not just about telling great stories — it’s about building an industry that can carry them to the world, again and again.
Lights. Camera. Global impact! As the glittering French Riviera rolled out its red carpets for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Nigeria’s Filmhouse Group didn’t just show up, they took over.
With the charm of a Nollywood blockbuster and the precision of a seasoned director, West Africa’s leading entertainment powerhouse claimed its spot at the prestigious Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS). It made sure the world knew: Africa’s stories are no longer waiting at the door; they’re headlining the main event.
At the heart of this cinematic revolution was a compelling session entitled “The Nollywood Conversations: A Deep Dive into Opportunities to Present African Stories for Global Screens”.
But this wasn’t just talk.
With firebrand executives like Group CEO Kene Okwuosa and Chief Content Officer of FilmOne Entertainment, Ladun Awobokun, taking the reins, it became a masterclass on vision, structure, and the future of African storytelling.
From production pipelines to global partnerships, they laid bare a blueprint for the next phase of Nollywood, one powered by big dreams and bigger deals.
During an interview session with Omolara Adebayo, the Filmhouse executives gave deeper insight into their strategy to connect Nollywood with international audiences.
What inspired this bold move by Filmhouse Group at Cannes this year?
We’ve always believed that African stories deserve a global stage.
Cannes is one of the world’s biggest film festivals, and for us, it’s about being where decisions are made and ensuring Nigeria is part of that conversation. The world wants African content. The issue is building the systems that deliver it consistently.
What does that system look like for you?
It’s about creating a scalable ecosystem.
We’re talking about everything from production funding to licensing, to how our films are exhibited internationally.
Nollywood can’t rely on vibes anymore, we need structure. Sustainability has to meet creativity. That’s the only way to compete globally.
What role does FilmOne Entertainment play in this vision?
FilmOne is our distribution arm, and it’s key.
We hold theatrical licenses for major studios like Disney, Warner Bros., Empire, and Sony in West Africa.
We don’t just distribute Nollywood titles we dominate that space.
That kind of reach allows us to be bridge-builders between Africa and the world.
Are there any new Nollywood projects we should be excited about?
Absolutely. We previewed 77: The Festac Conspiracy at Cannes, it’s a high-production-value story that captures Africa’s essence with global appeal. It’s just one of many we’re working on that’s built for an international audience.
How is Filmhouse positioning itself beyond content?
We’re thinking long-term.
That means policy engagement, investing in infrastructure, and being part of global conversations about the future of cinema.
It’s not just about one blockbuster; it’s about creating a generation of African filmmakers who can compete, and thrive, globally.
Also Read: Grace Bassey Leaves Nollywood Acting To Join U.S. Navy
With a room full of policymakers, financiers, and top creatives hanging onto every word, Filmhouse’s presence at Cannes was more than symbolic, it was strategic. Nigeria isn’t just exporting films anymore.
Thanks to visionaries like Okwuosa and Awobokun, it’s exporting a film industry. One conversation, one distribution deal, and one epic story at a time.
Have you seen: Movie Premiere: Owambe Thieves Starring Eniola Ajao, Odunlade Adekola, Denrele, Femi Branch And More?
See Video
