The organisers of Nollywood in Hollywood have announced the three films selected for the 2026 edition of their annual Nigerian film showcase, scheduled to hold on 6 and 7 March in Los Angeles.
The selected titles — Stitches, When Nigeria Happens, and To Adaego With Love — were unveiled during a preview screening of My Father’s Shadow at the Norris Theatre, University of Southern California. The screening was co-hosted by Nollywood in Hollywood in Hollywood.
My Father’s Shadow has previously made history as Nigeria’s first film to earn an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival and was later submitted by the United Kingdom for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
According to the organisers, the three films span romance, dance-infused drama and historical storytelling, reflecting the diversity and evolving narrative voice of contemporary African cinema. Each screening during the showcase will be followed by post-film conversations with the filmmakers.
The programme opens on 6 March at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica with a red-carpet presentation of Stitches, directed by acclaimed Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso. The romantic drama marks her first Nollywood project and tells the story of a talented fashion designer whose ascent from modest beginnings into elite society is complicated by love and long-buried secrets.
On 7 March, the showcase moves to the Norris Cinema Theatre at the University of Southern California for a matinee screening of When Nigeria Happens, directed by Ema Edosio-Deelen. The film combines drama and contemporary dance to explore themes of love, ambition and survival, following Lagos-based dancers striving to succeed while confronting societal expectations.
The 2026 edition concludes later that evening with To Adaego With Love, a historical drama directed by Nwamaka Chikezie. Set in a post-conflict Nigeria, the film centres on a forbidden romance between a Northern soldier and an Igbo teacher, examining reconciliation, identity and resilience in a divided society.
Nollywood in Hollywood curates films annually to spotlight the creative range and ambition of Nigerian cinema. Past editions have featured works by leading filmmakers, including titles selected by Nigeria’s Official Selection Committee for submission to the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category.
Founded in 2018 by Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, Nollywood in Hollywood promotes Nigerian cinema through cultural exchange and international partnerships. The showcase is presented in collaboration with American Cinematheque, the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and O2A Media, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences for screenings, discussions and networking.
Commenting on the selections, Oyamendan said the films reflect shared human experiences and the growing global appetite for African stories, noting that the 2026 lineup underscores the strength and international relevance of Nollywood’s storytelling.
Further details on the programme and ticketing are available online.