Nollywood film “Black Market” broke the Guinness World Record for the largest single-location movie screening, drawing 51,000 viewers at Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa Square on September 26, 2026, surpassing the previous 2015 record of 43,624 attendees.
The screening, organized by Rixel Studios, FilmOne Studios, Signet Ring Studios, and Switch Visuals Production, marked a milestone for Nigerian cinema, with the event officially recognized by Guinness World Records after 51,000 attendees watched the crime thriller in one sitting. Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, who announced that 64,000 people attended the event, acknowledged the record, though Guinness confirmed the verified count was based on those present from the beginning to the end of the movie.
The Record-Breaking Screening
The event, held at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), exceeded organizers’ goal of 50,000 attendees, shattering the record set in 2015 during the screening of the Filipino film Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena. Gates opened at 2pm, with a red carpet event starting at about 3pm ahead of the 7pm screening. Long queues formed throughout the day, and the venue featured music, food, games and other entertainment activities.
Black Market’ Breaks Guinness World Record With Over 51,000
Guinness World Records confirmed the feat after the screening, with the official announcement drawing loud cheers, celebrations and fireworks from the crowd. The event was planned as an official Guinness World Records attempt and was designed to surpass the benchmark established more than a decade ago. We’ve officially set a WORLD RECORD for the Largest Audience Gathering Ever for a Movie Screening,
FilmOne stated, emphasizing the significance of the achievement.
The Film and Its Creators
The film “Black Market,” directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and co-written by her and Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, centers on five women involved in a cross-border smuggling operation whose lives are thrown into turmoil after the daughter of one of them is kidnapped. The film stars Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Itele D Icon, Scarlet Gomez, Omowunmi Dada, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Uzor Arukwe, Folagade Banks, Tomiwa Tegbe, Andrew Yaw Bunting, Shamz Garuba, and Adeoluwa Akintoba. Notably, the production is led by a predominantly female team, with Gimsay directing, Nora Awolowo and Nicole Ofoegbu producing, Omowunmi Dada co-producing, and Ladun Awobokun as executive producer.
The film, shot in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was supported by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, alongside several corporate partners including MTN and Puma. The collaboration highlights a growing trend of Nigerian production houses pooling resources to achieve outcomes previously considered out of reach.
Rixel, FilmOne Studios Target Guinness World Record
Celebrity Attendance and Public Reaction
The premiere attracted Nollywood stars such as Gabriel Afolayan, Real Warri Pikin, and Tomi Ojo, alongside Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat. The venue recorded a heavy turnout with movie lovers arriving for the event, which featured a festive atmosphere. The screening also included a red carpet appearance by Omowunmi Dada, who was styled by Creative Director Kingsley Okoye Rex in a custom turquoise-blue top.
It is so surreal when you go from what is in your head and see it come to life. We have been attached to different versions of the script but the final version felt different. We finally felt like we merged all our tones together,
Gimsay says.
Analysts note that the partnership among Rixel Studios, FilmOne Studios, and their collaborators reflects an emerging pattern of Nigerian production companies combining efforts to reach goals once deemed unattainable, a strategy anticipated to influence Nollywood’s upcoming development.
Black Market targets Guinness Record as stars shine ahead
Unresolved Questions and Future Implications
Although the record has been verified, Deputy Governor Hamzat reported 64,000 attendees, whereas Guinness World Records indicated the official count relied on those present throughout the entire film.
For now, the focus remains on the film’s milestone. Nigeria, we didn’t just watch a movie. WE MADE HISTORY,
FilmOne declared, underscoring the event’s significance. FilmOne Studios highlighted that “Black Market” exemplifies the possibilities when determined Nigerian filmmakers, studios, and collaborators unite to aim higher, operate on a larger scale, and advance African narratives.
🚨NEW GUINESS WORLD RECORD🚨Congratulations to the Black Market on breaking the world record for largest audience gathered for a film screening 👏🏽🔥51,000! 🤩💪🏽 Source