The historical fiction film ‘Festac 77’ has been selected for an exclusive preview at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking another major moment for Nigerian and African cinema on the global stage.
Produced by Adonis Production and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, Festac ’77 explores the rich legacy of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77)—Africa’s largest cultural gathering held in Lagos in 1977.
The film aims to reimagine a defining moment in African history through a lens of cultural pride, ambition, and pan-African unity.
The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) confirmed the film’s selection for Cannes, describing it as a landmark showcase for Africa’s creative power and cinematic ambition.
“This film is a reclamation of Africa’s rich history,” said Adonijah Owiriwa, Executive Producer of Festac ’77.
“It revisits a pivotal era of African unity and creative assertion, bringing to life the ambitions, conflicts, and triumphs that shaped our identity. The Cannes showcase is a significant step toward shifting how African cinema is perceived globally.”
Starring an ensemble of notable talents (casting details expected soon), Festac ’77 has already begun turning heads for its production scale and cultural importance. With a narrative anchored in historical truth and visual storytelling, the film hopes to stir conversation about Africa’s place in global media narratives.
Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group (Filmhouse Cinemas, FilmOne Entertainment, FilmOne Studios), noted that the Cannes selection is “a powerful endorsement for African cinema.”
“For too long, African stories have been underrepresented or misrepresented on global platforms. Festac ’77 is not just a film—it’s a cultural statement,” Okwuosa said. “It marks a turning point, where African creators take the lead in telling our own stories with the scale, depth, and brilliance they deserve.”
Fellow executive producer and filmmaker Prince Tonye Princewill also emphasised the industry’s evolution, crediting the film as proof that African storytelling is now ready for the world’s biggest stages.
“We’ve gone from a fledgling industry to a creative powerhouse,” Princewill said. “Festac 77 is the result of years of work to elevate production quality and narrative ambition. This is more than a film—it’s a message that African cinema is here to compete, inspire, and lead.”
Set for release later in 2025, Festac ’77 is positioned to be a cultural milestone—bridging past and present while celebrating the richness of African identity.
With its Cannes debut as the first stop on what is expected to be a global tour, the film is ready to remind the world that African stories are not only worth telling but impossible to ignore.
