Nollywood is once again stepping onto the global stage, as Daniel Oriahi’s psychological thriller The Weekend has been officially selected to screen at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival. The 68th edition of the festival will run from October 9 to October 20, 2024, showcasing films from 80 countries, with 255 titles spanning various genres and formats, including features, shorts, series, and immersive works.

Oriahi’s latest offering, The Weekend, has already gained significant traction. The film had earlier premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, where it was the only Nollywood film featured. Following its release on August 30, 2024, The Weekend grossed ₦8 million at the Nigerian box office, further cementing its place as a standout in the psychological thriller genre.

The movie, which tells the story of Nikya, an orphan girl seeking a family, who visits her fiancé’s seemingly perfect family only to uncover their dark secret, stars Uzoamaka Aniunoh as Nikya, alongside Bucci Franklin, Meg Otanwa, Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey, Gloria Anozie-Young, and Damilola Ogunsi.

Oriahi, known for his earlier works like Taxi Driver: Oke Ashewo (2015) and Sylvia (2018), expressed his excitement about The Weekend being selected for the BFI London Film Festival. He took to Instagram to share his joy:

“I am deeply honored and proud to announce that The Weekend has been officially selected to screen at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival, the largest film festival in the UK. This selection comes as The Weekend continues to break box office records for its genre in Nollywood.”

The film will be showcased in the BFI (LFF) Cult Section, alongside some of the most anticipated thrillers and horror films of the season. It will be screened on October 13, 16, and 17, 2024, further highlighting the growing influence of Nigerian cinema on the international scene.

Oriahi’s journey as a filmmaker began with his debut feature Misfit, a psychological horror produced on a shoestring budget. Since then, he has continued to push the boundaries of Nigerian storytelling, and The Weekend solidifies his reputation as a key player in the new wave of Nigerian filmmakers.

With this latest recognition, The Weekend is poised to make a lasting impact, bringing Nollywood thrillers into the global spotlight and inspiring more Nigerian filmmakers to explore new genres and storytelling techniques.