In a moment that feels both nostalgic and groundbreaking, FESTAC ‘77 a richly textured historical drama has been selected for a special preview at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. For many, this isn’t just about a film. It’s about history coming full circle. It’s about Africa, in all its color, complexity, and creativity, stepping confidently onto one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic stages.
The film, produced by Adonis Production and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, is a cinematic tribute to the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture held in 1977
an event that brought together over 16,000 participants from more than 50 countries to celebrate African heritage. It was more than a festival; it was a cultural awakening, a bold declaration of identity, unity, and pride.
Now, nearly five decades later, FESTAC ‘77 brings that same spirit back to life, this time through the lens of film. Blending high-end production with passionate storytelling, the movie captures the essence of that historic moment when artists, intellectuals, and freedom fighters came together to define what it meant to be African on a global stage.
Executive Producer Adonijah Owiriwa says the project goes beyond entertainment.
“We’re reviving a moment that shaped modern African consciousness,” he shares. “FESTAC wasn’t just a festival
it was a political and cultural statement. This film invites global audiences to engage with Africa’s story not from the outside looking in, but from a place of understanding and shared humanity.”
The Cannes selection is a major milestone, not just for the filmmakers but for African cinema as a whole. Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group, sees it as a sign that the global film industry is finally paying attention. “This is bigger than one movie,” he says. “It’s about reclaiming our narratives. For too long, African stories were either erased or distorted. FESTAC ‘77 is a bold response to that. It proves we’re not on the sidelines
we’re shaping the conversation.”
Prince Tonye Princewill, another executive producer and vocal champion of African film, sees the project as a marker of how far the industry has come. “We’ve moved from underfunded dreams to world-class productions,” he reflects. “This film is technically ambitious, artistically powerful, and deeply rooted in history. It’s a statement not just about the past, but about our future.”
With its full release set for later in 2025, FESTAC ‘77 is more than just a movie premiere it’s a cultural moment. As the world gathers in Cannes to celebrate cinema, Africa will be there not just as a guest, but as a storyteller with something powerful to say.
And for a new generation of viewersAfrican and beyond it’s a chance to rediscover a legacy of pride, resistance, beauty, and brilliance.