Nigerian film IREKE: Rise of the Maroons made history on May 14, 2025, with its premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone as the first indigenous Nigerian film, and notably the first Yorùbá-language film, to be showcased at the global event.
Directed by Emmy nominee and former BBC investigative reporter, Gbolahan Peter MacJob and produced by Toyin Moore, the film highlights the rising prominence of Nigerian cinema on the world stage. The screenplay was written by A. Jiboye.
The film boasts a stellar cast including Bolanle Ninolowo, Tobi Bakre, Fathia Balogun, Femi Branch, Kolawole Ajeyemi, Antar Laniyan, and Seun Olaiya, among others.
IREKE is expected to begin screening in theatres later in the year.