Nollywood is preparing for one of its most ambitious film premieres yet as the producers of Black Market set their sights on a Guinness World Record attempt with a planned 50,000-person screening at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
Scheduled for September 26, 2026, the event is expected to serve as more than the film's official premiere. If successful, it will become the largest simultaneous film screening in history, surpassing the current Guinness World Record of 43,624 attendees, which has stood since 2015.
Produced by Rixel Studios in collaboration with FilmOne Studios and Signet Ring Studios, Black Market features an ensemble cast led by Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Ganchung Pwajok, Uzor Arukwe, Kanaga Jnr, Itele D'Icon, Shamz Garuba, Tomiwa Tegbe, and several other Nollywood stars.
A Record-Breaking Premiere
The Guinness World Record currently belongs to Iglesia Ni Cristo and VIVA Films in the Philippines, where 43,624 people gathered for the premiere of Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena on October 4, 2015.
Rixel Studios hopes to eclipse that milestone by bringing together 50,000 moviegoers at the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. If achieved, the feat would mark the first time an African film production has claimed the record, creating a landmark moment for Nollywood on the global stage.
Beyond the record attempt, the event is designed to be a large-scale entertainment experience. Organisers have announced raffle draws for ticket holders, with admission priced at ₦2,000 for regular tickets and ₦50,000 for premium access.
Inside Black Market
Set against the backdrop of fuel scarcity and economic hardship, Black Market follows the story of five market women who secretly operate a cross-border fuel-smuggling business.
Their carefully organised operation is thrown into turmoil when a rival kidnaps the daughter of one of the women, forcing the group into a desperate fight to protect both their livelihood and the people they love.
Blending crime, family drama, and survival, the film promises an emotionally charged story rooted in contemporary realities.
The screenplay was written by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, with Gimsay also making her feature directorial debut. She is known for acclaimed short films including Ijo, Laraba and Balarabe, Fine Girl, and Omozi, while also contributing as a writer to productions such as Battleground, Riona, Finding Me, and Lowkey Adults.
A Major Moment for Nollywood
Black Market wrapped principal photography in May 2026 and follows Rixel Studios' theatrical debut with Red Circle in 2025.
Should the planned screening attract its target audience, it would not only establish a new Guinness World Record but also highlight Nollywood's growing ability to stage large-scale cinematic events capable of attracting global attention.
With a star-studded cast, an ambitious record attempt, and one of the year's most anticipated premieres, Black Market is positioning itself as more than just another Nollywood release, it is aiming to make history.
