Nollywood is officially headed to the global stage as Lagos has been named a partner city for the prestigious “Goes to Cannes” program at the 2026 Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market). Representing the city’s vibrant creative heartbeat is the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), which will curate a special showcase of African works-in-progress to be presented at the Palais des Festivals in France from May 15 to 18, 2026.
This milestone follows a landmark agreement between AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude and Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy. As the sole African partner city this year—joining the likes of Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Rio de Janeiro—Lagos will have a dedicated two-hour platform to pitch five to seven carefully selected films. These “works-in-progress” will be shown to international sales agents, distributors, and financiers, offering a rare chance to secure global distribution before the films are even finished.
Beyond the visibility, there is a major incentive on the table: one standout project from the partner showcases will receive a €10,000 minimum guarantee award from Spanish studio Sideral Cinema. Following the historic success of My Father’s Shadow at Cannes last year, this partnership solidifies Nigeria’s position as a dominant force in the global “narrative economy” and opens unprecedented doors for local filmmakers to access international funding and co-production deals.
