In a landmark moment for African cinema, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has selected FESTAC ’77 for an exclusive screening at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
The film, a grand historical epic, revisits the iconic Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture held in 1977.
This massive cultural gathering brought together artists, intellectuals, and visionaries from across Africa and its diaspora, celebrating Pan-African unity, heritage, and artistic expression.
Backed by Adonis Production and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, FESTAC ’77 shines a light on a pivotal event in Africa’s cultural history.
Through striking visuals and a stellar cast, the film transports viewers to a time of unprecedented African solidarity and creativity.
Executive Producer Adonijah Owiriwa underscored the film’s deeper purpose, calling it a form of 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 inclusion in the Cannes lineup marks a milestone for African storytelling, a sentiment 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.”
Executive Producer and African film advocate Prince Tonye Princewill highlighted the industry-wide significance of 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 excitement builds ahead of the festival, FESTAC ’77 stands poised not just as a tribute to Africa’s cultural legacy but as a powerful symbol of the continent’s cinematic future one where African filmmakers aren’t waiting for permission, but boldly taking the global stage.
