Rotimi Salami Takes Nollywood Film Kilanko To Canada, US

LNollywood actor, filmmaker and producer Rotimi Salami is taking his latest production, KILANKO: The Invincible Child, beyond Nigeria as the film expands its reach to audiences in Canada and the United States.

The film, which was released in Nigerian cinemas earlier this year, was scheduled for an international screening in Toronto, Canada, on September 10 at the Fairview Library Theatre. A United States screening has also been announced as part of the film’s international rollout.

The move marks another step in Salami’s effort to position Nigerian stories for audiences beyond the country, while allowing international viewers to engage with contemporary Nollywood productions.

KILANKO: The Invincible Child is directed by Allwell Ademola and features Salami alongside a cast drawn from the Nigerian film industry. The movie had its Nigerian cinema release on March 6, 2026.

The international screenings also carry a poignant significance for the production. Ademola, who directed the film, died before its theatrical release, with Salami subsequently continuing to promote the project and celebrate her contribution to the production.

For Salami, the journey of KILANKO reflects the changing possibilities for Nigerian filmmakers as locally produced films increasingly seek audiences across borders.

Rather than limiting Nollywood productions to the Nigerian market, international screenings provide opportunities to introduce Nigerian narratives, actors and filmmaking talent to diaspora communities and wider global audiences.

Toronto, in particular, has a significant Nigerian and African diaspora, making it a natural market for films featuring Nigerian cultural themes.

Salami’s international push also comes at a time when Nollywood continues to explore new avenues for global distribution, with filmmakers increasingly looking beyond conventional cinema releases towards festivals, diaspora screenings, streaming platforms and international partnerships.

The actor has described KILANKO as an important project, and its movement to North America represents a new stage in the film’s journey.

From its Nigerian cinema release to screenings on the other side of the Atlantic, KILANKO: The Invincible Child is now carrying its story beyond home soil.

For Salami and the team behind the film, the ambition is clear: Nigerian stories should not only be made for Nigerians but also travel, connect, and compete on the global stage.