African cinema took centre stage at the Indigo at The O₂ as 3 Cold Dishes premiered to a crowd of stars, filmmakers, and fans. The thriller, executive produced by Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, actress Osas Ighodaro, and Burna’s mother Bose Ogulu, blended red carpet glamour with urgent storytelling about human trafficking and revenge. Though the premiere happened on a Thursday, excitement from the night carried into the weekend, lighting up social media with clips, reactions, and vlogs celebrating African storytelling abroad.
A Film Rooted in Justice and Survival
Directed by Asurf Oluseyi, 3 Cold Dishes tells follows three women, who were trafficked as teenagers and forced into sex slavery. Years later, they reunite to take revenge on the men who once owned them. Their journey becomes one of courage, sisterhood, and the unrelenting will to reclaim power.
The film, shot across five African countries, explores themes of exploitation, trauma, and resilience. It also marks Burna Boy’s debut as an executive producer — a move he has described as a way to use storytelling to shed light on real-world issues affecting vulnerable communities. Speaking at the premiere, he described the project as
“a film that confronts exploitation and reminds us that silence is complicity.”
A trailer released around September 19 offered a first full look at the film’s dark and suspenseful tone, teasing themes of justice, survival, and retribution without giving too much away.
Lights, Cameras, Culture: The Red Carpet Moment
The night opened with dazzling arrivals as London’s African and diaspora communities turned the Indigo into a celebration of culture and cinema. Burna Boy’s entrance was one of the most anticipated moments—fans cheered, camera flashes erupted, and the artist shared a brief wave before stepping inside.
Osas Ighodaro, who both starred in and co-produced the film, lit up the carpet in a bold, elegant gown, expressing her pride.
Among the familiar faces were Yvonne Jegede, Shank Comics (Natse Jeminde)—who drew laughter when he joked, “The only role I want to play is your husband”—and Ruby Akubueze, who called the evening “everything I hoped it would be.” The carpet reflected a perfect balance of entertainment and advocacy—proof that African cinema can command both glamour and gravity.
Screening and Q&A
Following the screening, a Q&A session was held with Burna Boy, Osas Ighodaro, and director Asurf Oluseyi, alongside members of the cast and crew.
Discussions focused on the film’s themes, production process, and the challenges of shooting across multiple African locations. Burna Boy described the story as one that “follows three teenagers sold into the sex trade” and encouraged audiences to engage with its message.
The event concluded with applause and reflections on the importance of films that address social issues such as human trafficking.
Afterparty and Online Highlights
An afterparty followed the 3 Cold Dishes screening, featuring music, networking, and media interactions. In the days after the event, clips and vlogs from the night trended across social media, with fans praising the coordination, production, and symbolic significance of Burna Boy’s new creative venture.
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