In a major breakthrough for African cinema, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has selected FESTAC ’77 for an exclusive preview at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film, a sweeping historical epic, revisits the landmark 1977 Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, celebrating its enduring influence on Pan-African identity and heritage.
Backed by Adonis Production and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, FESTAC ’77 tells the story of Africa’s largest cultural gathering—an event that brought together artists, thinkers, and visionaries from across the continent and the diaspora. The Cannes screening will offer global audiences a rare glimpse into this defining moment in African cultural history, told through powerful visuals and a high-caliber cast.
Speaking on the significance of the project, Executive Producer Adonijah Owiriwa described the film as a cultural reclamation:
“This project is about taking ownership of our narrative. FESTAC ’77 revives a monumental moment of African solidarity, creativity, and pride. It’s more than a film—it’s an effort to reshape how African stories are seen and valued globally. Presenting it at Cannes is a statement: African cinema has arrived, and we’re telling our stories our way.”
The film’s selection for Cannes underscores growing recognition of African cinema on the world stage, a point echoed by Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group.
“This is a defining moment not just for FESTAC ’77 but for the continent’s film industry as a whole. For too long, our stories have either been ignored or distorted. This film allows the world to see African culture in its fullness—authentic, rich, and globally resonant. Its presence at Cannes signals a turning point for African stories in the international box office.”
Prince Tonye Princewill, another Executive Producer and long-time advocate for African film development, emphasized the broader industry progress reflected in the project.
“This film is evidence of how far we’ve come. From production values to storytelling ambition, African cinema is now competing on the world stage. FESTAC ’77 showcases not only a historical moment but a creative evolution. It’s a milestone for African filmmakers and a source of pride for all of us committed to telling our own stories, on our own terms.”
As anticipation builds toward the festival, FESTAC ’77 is poised to serve as both a tribute to Africa’s cultural legacy and a testament to the continent’s cinematic future—one in which African filmmakers are no longer asking for space but claiming it.
