The Walt Disney Company, in association with Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and FilmOne Entertainment, has officially announced that Nigeria will host the African premiere of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the follow-up to the 2018 blockbuster Black Panther which follows the fight to protect Wakanda from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. The highly anticipated film from Marvel Cinematic Universe will bring the new chapter of the Wakandan kingdom to life in Lagos come November, before its November-11 in-cinema release across Africa.
Co-founders of FilmOne Entertainment, Moses Babatope and Kene Okwuosa, expressed their enthusiasm about the film’s premiere and release, noting that it is a notable milestone for West Africa. “We are excited and fully committed to working with The Walt Disney Company to deliver a grand African premiere, even as we channel all our arsenal towards realizing a momentous box-office performance for the title,” they said.
Speaking on the significance of the African premiere hosting in Nigeria, Chioma Ude, founder of AFRIFF, said, “We are excited and proud to be a part of the premiere of this milestone film here in Africa. This is huge for the continent of Africa as it symbolises to us further bridging of the gaps between the global film industries.”
Via its collaboration with AFRIFF and FilmOne, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is expected to play host to film industry stakeholders across Africa and the world as the celebrations kick off on the continent. Notable expectations include the presence of Nollywood celebrities and distinguished dignitaries to be announced.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to Lagos this November,” says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager for The Walt Disney Company Africa. “Working closely with our long-term distribution partners FilmOne and this association with AFRIFF, we are anticipating a wonderful celebration with Nigeria’s cinema-goers and Black Panther fans.”
Catch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, in cinemas from 11th November 2022.