On May 19, the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival will turn toward the Palais des Festivals for the world premiere of 77: The Festac Conspiracy. But this isn’t just another film screening—it’s the unveiling of a cinematic landmark. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Izu Ojukwu and produced by Adonijah Owiriwa and Tonye Princewill, 77 isn’t merely about revisiting the past. It’s about reclaiming it—redefining how a pivotal chapter in African history is remembered and who gets to tell that story.
Set against the backdrop of the legendary FESTAC ’77—the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture—77 plunges into the political tensions, ideological conflicts, and cultural pride that marked the event. FESTAC wasn’t just a gathering of artists. It was a bold political statement—a declaration of Black excellence and unity, held under the wary gaze of global powers. 77 captures that moment with riveting intensity, using the framework of a political thriller to explore deeper themes of power, betrayal, unity, and cultural sovereignty.
What makes the film so compelling is its ability to blend suspense with substance. The script pulses with intrigue, while the visuals pull viewers into a vivid 1970s Lagos. From its rich costuming to detailed production design, every frame is meticulously crafted. The result is more than just period drama—it’s full immersion.
Starring industry icons Ramsey Nouah and Rita Dominic, the performances bring emotional depth to an already politically charged narrative. Ojukwu’s direction ensures that each scene not only looks cinematic but carries weight. 77 doesn’t just portray history—it resurrects it, fully formed and vividly alive.
But the film’s power goes beyond the screen. It’s a cultural statement.
“Cinema is one of the most powerful tools for reclaiming narrative,” said producer Tonye Princewill. “With 77, we didn’t just aim to tell a story—we wanted to confront the silence surrounding a transformative moment in Africa’s post-colonial journey. This film speaks to generations past, present, and future.”
Its Cannes debut is particularly significant. For the first time, Nigeria is officially represented at the festival with a national pavilion—and 77 is leading that charge. This is more than a milestone for the film; it’s a defining moment for Nollywood on the global stage.
“This isn’t by chance,” noted Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of FilmOne Entertainment, which is overseeing the film’s release. “It proves that when we tell our stories with excellence, they resonate—everywhere.”
FilmOne’s release strategy reflects the film’s global ambition. With an international rollout planned, 77 is poised to introduce global audiences not just to Nigerian cinema, but to the depth and nuance of Nigerian history. It’s the kind of expansive distribution usually reserved for major Hollywood blockbusters—and that’s precisely the intention.
This film is not playing small.
For years, Nollywood has battled stereotypes—about quality, scope, and reach. While it stands as the world’s second-largest film industry by output, it has often been boxed in by limited resources and global visibility. But that’s changing. A new wave of filmmakers, storytellers, and producers are pushing boundaries, investing in quality and vision. 77 stands as a towering achievement of that evolution.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about 77 is how much it manages to be at once: a taut political thriller, a sweeping historical drama, and a love letter to pan-African solidarity. It doesn’t shy away from complexity—instead, it leans into it, delivering a film that’s thought-provoking, visually rich, and emotionally resonant.
As the first audiences in Cannes prepare to experience it, the impact is already beginning to ripple outward.
77: The Festac Conspiracy may well become to Nigerian cinema what Tsotsi or The Last King of Scotland were for African storytelling at large—game-changers that shift global perceptions and raise the bar.
For emerging filmmakers across the continent, it’s a new creative benchmark. For viewers, it’s an invitation to revisit history through a sharper, more empowered lens. And for an industry that’s long had the talent but not always the platform, 77 is proof of what’s possible when African stories are told with boldness, care, and conviction.
