Three films shortlisted for Nollywood in Hollywood 2025 edition

The 2025 "Nollywood in Hollywood" event will feature three Nigerian films. The showcase will take place in Hollywood, California, on February 28 and March 1.

Two prestigious locations, the Egyptian Theatre and the Norris Theatre at the University of Southern California (USC), the top film school in the world, will screen a few Nollywood films: The Man Died, The Weekend, and Mai Martaba.

In a statement provided to DOROTV on Friday, this was disclosed.

The showcase this year is expected to be among the most impressive yet, according to Unoma Ononye, the event's program manager.

"This weekend has the potential to be fantastic. Everything is in place for this to be the greatest display in our brief existence. You can stay for the Oscars the next day after visiting Nollywood in Hollywood! That's unbeatable," Ms. Ononye said.

 

"The Man Died," which is based on Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka's horrific jail book, details Soyinka's 27-month incarceration without trial during the Nigerian Civil War at the hands of a violent military administration. The film, which was directed by Awam Akpa, explores his psychological struggles and solitary incarceration, providing a deep understanding of both his tenacity and the repressive political environment of the day.

"The Weekend," a compelling Nigerian thriller directed by Daniel Oriahi, delves into intricate family dynamics. The story centers on Nikiya, an orphan who longs for family ties and is adamant about seeing her fiancé Luke's distant relatives. Unpredictable turns that keep viewers interested until the exciting end result from Nikiya's revelation of disturbing facts that have prevented Luke from seeing his family. In August 2024, the movie was released in Nigerian theaters after making its debut at the Tribeca Festival in June 2024.
 

The historical epic "Mai Martaba," which means "Your Highness," is set in an old African country. The movie dives into the complexities of power and political legacy while examining themes of love, greed, and treachery. It was directed by Prince Daniel and has received praise for advancing the historical epic genre in Nigerian cinema while providing a rich depiction of cultural heritage. Nigeria's official submission for the Oscars 2025 International Feature Film category is Mai Martaba.

Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan founded Nollywood in Hollywood in 2018 with the goal of promoting Nigeria's film industry to Hollywood, the Nigerian diaspora, and a worldwide audience.

In order to promote Nigerian cinema abroad, Oyamendan partnered with the American Cinematheque and USC's School of Cinematic Arts through his business, O2A Media Corp.

Leading Nigerian filmmakers such as Steve Gukas, Kunle Afolayan, Jade Osiberu, Kemi Adetiba, Tope Oshin, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, and others have participated in the event since its inception. Among the notable films that were shown were Milkmaid, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2020), and Lionheart, King of Boys, and Up North (2019).

In addition to screenings, the event connects Nigerian filmmakers with Hollywood studios, casting directors, and agencies through networking, training, and industry discussions. It has enhanced careers and solidified Nollywood's position in the world of film throughout time.