Entertainment

Stitches, When Nigeria Happens, To Adaego Light Up Nollywood in Hollywood 2026

Published on February 5, 2026

Stitches, When Nigeria Happens, and To Adaego With Love selected for Nollywood in Hollywood 2026, highlighting contemporary African cinema

The organisers of Nollywood in Hollywood have announced three films selected for the 2026 edition of their annual Nigerian film showcase, set to take place on 6 and 7 March in Los Angeles.

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The chosen 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.

My Father’s Shadow previously became 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.

The films span romance, dance-infused drama, and historical storytelling, reflecting the diversity and evolving narrative voice of contemporary African cinema.

Each screening 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 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 USC 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 confronting societal expectations.

The 2026 edition concludes that evening with To Adaego With Love, a historical drama directed by Nwamaka Chikezie.

Set in post-conflict Nigeria, the film centres on a forbidden romance between a Northern soldier and an Igbo teacher, exploring reconciliation, identity, and resilience in a divided society.

Founded in 2018 by Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, Nollywood in Hollywood promotes Nigerian cinema through cultural exchange and international partnerships.

Past editions have featured works by filmmakers whose films were submitted for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category.

Commenting on the selections, Oyamendan said the films reflect shared human experiences and highlight the growing global appetite for African stories, emphasising Nollywood’s international relevance.