Nollywood has achieved a significant milestone with the movie 'Black Market', a Nigerian crime thriller, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest audience at a film screening in a single location. The film, directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay, drew 51,000 qualifying viewers at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, surpassing the previous record of 43,624 viewers set by the Filipino movie 'Felix Manalo' in 2015. The record was achieved on September 26, 2026.
'Black Market' is a crime thriller centered on five women involved in a cross-border smuggling operation. The story takes a dramatic turn when the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped, putting the characters in an increasingly difficult situation. The film was written by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, combining crime, family, and survival themes. The movie features an ensemble cast, including Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, and Scarlet Gomez.
The film's director, Fatimah Binta Gimsay, played a crucial role in the project, being involved in both the creative direction and the historic screening. The film's trailer was released ahead of the planned record attempt, which had initially targeted an audience of 50,000 people. Gimsay had previously spoken about the scale of the project and the process of bringing the story to the screen.
The record-breaking event was held at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, where thousands of people gathered to watch the film. The gates opened in the afternoon, with a red-carpet session, entertainment, food, and games taking place before the main screening. The film was screened later in the evening, with Guinness World Records recognising 51,000 qualifying viewers.
It's worth noting that the overall crowd at the event was reported to be around 64,000 people, with Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat among those who cited that figure. However, Guinness World Records only recognised the 51,000 qualifying viewers who watched the film from the beginning to the end. This distinction is crucial in achieving the record.
The Guinness World Records attempt was not announced at the last minute, with the filmmakers having publicly planned the September 26 screening and initially set their target at 50,000 viewers. Promotional activities, including the release of the official trailer, were carried out ahead of the event. The project brought together Rixel Studios, Signet Ring Studios, and FilmOne Studios, with FilmOne Entertainment handling distribution.
With 51,000 qualifying viewers officially recognised, 'Black Market' has turned what would ordinarily have been a film premiere into a record-setting moment for Nollywood. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the Nigerian film industry, showcasing its growing global influence. The film's success demonstrates the potential for Nollywood to continue pushing boundaries and achieving new heights.
Key points
- The movie 'Black Market' set a Guinness World Record for the largest audience at a film screening in a single location with 51,000 qualifying viewers.
- The film, directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay, surpassed the previous record of 43,624 viewers set by the Filipino movie 'Felix Manalo' in 2015.
- The record-breaking event was held at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, with thousands of people gathering to watch the film.
