Nigerian Film Showcase: Nollywood In Hollywood Unveils Official Films For 2026
By Elegbede Abiodun
… opening on Friday, March 6 at the historic Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
Nollywood in Hollywood has announced the official selection of three films for the seventh edition of its annual Nigerian film showcase, taking place March 6–7, 2026, in Los Angeles.
The film selections were unveiled at a special preview screening of “My Father’s Shadow” in Los Angeles, co-presented by Nollywood in Hollywood at the Norris Theatre, University of Southern California.
My Father’s Shadow made history as Nigeria’s first film selected in the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival and was the United Kingdom’s official submission for the best international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
The 2026 lineup features “Stitches,” “When Nigeria Happens,” and “To Adaego With Love,” a selection of films that spans modern romance, contemporary dance drama, and historical storytelling. Together, the works reflect the creative range, cultural depth, and global resonance of contemporary African cinema. Each screening will be followed by a conversation with the filmmakers.
The showcase will open on Friday, March 6, at the historic Aero Theatre in Santa Monica with a red-carpet premiere of “Stitches,” directed by Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso. A modern romantic drama, the film marks Frimpong-Manso’s first Nollywood production and follows a talented fashion designer from a modest background whose rise into elite social circles is complicated by romance and long-buried secrets.
On Saturday, March 7, the showcase continues at the Norris Cinema Theatre at the University of Southern California with a matinee screening of “When Nigeria Happens,” directed by Ema Edosio-Deelen. Blending drama and contemporary dance, the film explores love, ambition, and survival in Lagos through the lives of a group of dancers who live for their art while challenging societal expectations.
The 2026 edition concludes Saturday evening with “To Adaego With Love,” a historical drama directed by Nwamaka Chikezie. Set against the backdrop of a healing, post-conflict Nigeria, the film tells a forbidden love story between a Northern soldier and an Igbo teacher, examining themes of national reconciliation, identity, and resilience.
Each year, Nollywood in Hollywood curates films that reflect the diversity and artistic ambition of Nigerian cinema. Past editions have featured works by leading Nigerian filmmakers, including films selected by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee as Nigeria’s submissions for the Academy Awards’ best international feature film category. The showcase’s early advocacy also contributed to a milestone when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended membership invitations to Nigerian filmmakers, expanding Nigeria’s engagement from submissions to voting participation within the Academy.
Founded in 2018 by Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, Nollywood in Hollywood promotes Nigerian cinema through cultural exchange and international collaboration. Presented in collaboration with American Cinematheque, the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and O2A Media, the showcase convenes filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences for screenings, discussions, and networking.
“Each of these films reflects a different facet of our shared experience, from love and ambition to history and healing,” Oyamendan said. “The 2026 selections demonstrate the artistic strength and storytelling power that continue to draw global attention to Nollywood.”
