Nollywood has reportedly made history after more than 51,000 people gathered at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, for a screening of Black Market, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a film screening.
Newsonspot reports that Guinness World Records official announced the attendance figure at the venue on Saturday night, confirming that the turnout had surpassed the previous record.
FilmOne, distributor of the movie, also announced the achievement on its social media platforms.
“51,000+ people. One screen. One moment that just made history,” the company said.
The new figure exceeds the previous Guinness World Records record of 43,624 people, set during a screening of the Philippine film Felix Manalo in 2015.
Although the Guinness World Records website still displayed the 43,624 figure when checked on Sunday, the organisation notes that newly achieved records may not appear online immediately.
The Lagos screening also surpassed the filmmakers’ initial target of 50,000 attendees.
Thousands Turn Up At TBS
Film lovers began arriving at Tafawa Balewa Square as early as the afternoon, with the gates opening at about 2pm.
As the crowd increased, long queues formed around the venue, with one line reportedly stretching towards the TBS roundabout.
A red-carpet session began around 3pm, while music, food and games were organised to entertain guests ahead of the main screening, which was scheduled to take place between 7pm and 8:30pm.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, arrived at about 8:50pm, while several entertainment personalities were also present.
Among those spotted at the event were actor Gabriel Afolayan, actress Tomi Ojo and comedian Real Warri Pikin.
More Than A Record Attempt
The massive gathering was not simply about breaking a world record, according to actress and producer Omowunmi Dada, whose Signet Ring Studios worked on the film.
In an earlier interview with Guardian Life, Dada explained that the idea was also aimed at reviving the communal experience of watching Nigerian films with friends, relatives and neighbours.
She also discussed her vision for Signet Ring Studios and its role in giving women greater control over the stories they tell.
Black Market follows five market women who become involved in a cross-border smuggling operation amid fuel scarcity and economic hardship.
Their situation takes a dangerous turn when the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped.
The film was directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and produced by Nora Awolowo.
Its cast includes Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Uzor Arukwe.
Rixel Studios, Signet Ring Studios and FilmOne Studios produced the film, while FilmOne handled its distribution.
Switch Visuals Productions also contributed to the record-breaking screening, which received support from the Lagos State Government and corporate partners.
