Nollywood has broken a Guinness World Record after 51,000 people gathered at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos to watch Black Market together.
The record-breaking screening took place on Saturday, September 26. Fatimah Binta Gimsay directed the crime thriller.
The filmmakers aimed to break the Guinness World Record for the largest audience at a film screening in one location. They surpassed the previous record of 43,624 people.
Black Market sets new record
Guinness World Records recognised 51,000 viewers as the qualifying attendance at the Lagos screening.
The previous record stood at 43,624 people. A screening of the Filipino film Felix Manalo set that record in 2015 at the Philippine Arena.
Guinness based the new figure on viewers who stayed from the start of the film until the end.
The total crowd at TBS was reportedly much larger. Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat put the overall attendance at about 64,000.
The announcement sparked cheers and fireworks at the venue.
Thousands gather for Lagos premiere
Organisers designed the event as a festival rather than a regular movie premiere.
The gates opened at 2 pm. A red-carpet session followed around 3 pm, while the main screening began at 7 pm.
The programme also featured music, food and games. Thousands of movie lovers arrived at TBS for the record attempt.
The filmmakers had announced the plan months earlier. They initially targeted an audience of 50,000 viewers.
About the film
Black Market follows five women caught in a cross-border smuggling operation during fuel scarcity and economic hardship.
Their situation becomes more difficult when kidnappers take the daughter of one of the women.
The film stars Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Uzor Arukwe, among others.
Gimsay and Abdul Tijani-Ahmed wrote the film.
Rixel Studios, FilmOne Studios, Signet Ring Studios and Switch Visuals Production worked together on the project.
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, also supported the event alongside several corporate partners.
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