Nollywood has made history after more than 51,000 people gathered in Lagos for a massive movie screening. The record-breaking event took place at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) on Saturday night.
The crowd came together to watch Black Market, a new crime thriller. Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement at the event. FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, also announced the feat on social media.
“51,000+ people. One screen. One moment that just made history,” FilmOne said.
“We’ve officially set a WORLD RECORD for the Largest Audience Gathering Ever for a Movie Screening.”
The organisers had initially set a target of 50,000 attendees.The event drew huge crowds hours before the screening began. Long queues stretched towards the TBS roundabout as movie lovers made their way inside. The gates opened at 2pm, followed by a red-carpet session at 3pm.
Meanwhile, the main screening was scheduled for 7pm to 8:30pm. Music, food and games also kept the crowd entertained. Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat arrived around 8:50pm. Celebrities at the venue included Gabriel Afolayan, Real Warri Pikin and Tomi Ojo.
Black Market was produced by Rixel Studios, Signet Ring Studios and FilmOne Studios. FilmOne handled its distribution. Fatimah Binta Gimsay directed the film, while Nora Awolowo served as producer. The cast includes Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Scarlet Gomez and Susan Pwajok. Ibrahim Yekini, Uzor Arukwe and Teniola Aladese also star in the film.
The story follows five market women caught in cross-border smuggling during fuel scarcity and economic hardship. Things take a darker turn when one woman’s daughter gets kidnapped. The Lagos State Government supported the event through its Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
