FilmOne Entertainment, in collaboration with Part Two Media (USA) and Amplify Africa Inc., are pleased to announce the theatrical releases of Nollywood’s December blockbusters, Battle on Buka Street and Ijakumo: Born Again Stripper, in the United States of America.
Battle on Buka Street releases on December 30, 2022, exclusively at select Regal Theatres, with advance screenings beginning on December 29, 2022. While Ijakumo: Born Again Stripper releases on January 13, 2023, also exclusively at select Regal theatres, with advance screenings beginning on January 12, 2023.
Territorial distributor and co-producer of the film, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that the international release is in accordance with its strategy to expand reach for indigenous titles beyond streaming infrastructures, and into the international theatrical landscape. Co-founders, Kene Okwuosa and Moses Babatope, jointly expressed satisfaction. “We are excited about the international releases of Battle on Buka Street and Ijakumo: Born Again Stripper mainly because the global cinema audience deserves to experience the brilliance they bring to the big screen. Over the years, we have continued to ensure that Nollywood’s global exports reflect entertainment, decked in authentic & rich story-telling, conveying positive narratives about Nigeria and Africa, and we are confident that both titles tick these boxes and much more,” they said.
Following their releases across select Regal theatres this December and January, Battle on Buka Street and Ijakumo: Born Again Stripper will become the first indigenous Nollywood titles to be shown at a mainstream cinema chain in the United States. Craig Shurn, of Part Two Media, is enthusiastic about the releases, “Since working with Kene and Moses for the last 8 years, we have always wanted to bring Nigerian movies and talent to the rest of the world. We are truly excited to share both Buka Street and Ijakumo with US audiences as they are perfect films to start with. Being the first mainstream cinema chain to play a Nollywood movie, our partners at Regal have shown that they believe in diversifying and broadening their audience”.
Andrew Turner, Vice President & Head of Film at Regal added that “Regal is excited and honored to be offering Nollywood films exclusively across our US cinemas. We have enjoyed tremendous success serving diaspora audiences such as Indian, Chinese, Korean and Arabic to name but a few, and look forward to opening our Regal doors to the Nigerian and African communities so they can now experience the best place to watch a movie,”
Battle on Buka Street is directed by Tobi Makinde and Nigerian icon Funke Akindele, who is also executive producer, producer and lead actor. It also stars Mercy Johnson-Okojie in a lead role, and features A-list actors in the likes of Sola Sobowale, Tina Mba, Nkem Owoh, and Femi Jacobs. The film is co-produced by Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN), and follows the record-breaking box office performance of a previous production by Funke Akindele, 2020’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga, also distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, and awarded Africa’s highest grossing film of 2021 by COMSCORE. Battle on Buka Street is the biggest Nollywood Box Office opening in the year.
Ijakumo: Born Again Stripper is co-produced by Toyin Abraham Production (TAP), directed by Steve Sodiya & Adebayo Tijani, and has Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi as executive producer, producer and lead actor. It stars award-winning actors including Kunle Remi, Bimbo Akintola, Segun Arinze, Eso Dike and Lolade Afegbai. It would be recalled that Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi clinched the prestigious Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) for Best Actress in a Comedy, in 2020, and has since 2017, played lead role in blockbusters that have jointly grossed about a billion naira at Nigeria’s box office.
Regal will be showing Battle on Buka Street and Ijakumo: Born Again Stripper in the following locations; Atlantic Station – ATLANTA GA, Union Square – NEW YORK NY, Kaufman Astoria – LONG ISLAND CITY NY, Commerce Center – NORTH BRUNSWICK NJ, Galaxy Theatre – DALLAS TX, Greenway Grand Palace – HOUSTON TX, LA Live – LOS ANGELES CA, Hacienda – DUBLIN/OAKLAND CA, Snowden Square – COLUMBIA/BALTIMORE MD, Majestic – SILVER SPRING/WASHINGTON DC, and City North – CHICAGO IL. Battle on Buka Street tickets are on sale in Regal App or regmovies.com.
