Ikenga: The Last Festival has reportedly crossed ₦100 million in cinema revenue less than one month after its nationwide release, according to producer Anita Odiakaose.
The Nollywood film “Ikenga: The Last Festival” has grossed more than ₦100 million in cinema revenue less than one month after its nationwide release, according to its Executive Producer, Anita Odiakaose.
Odiakaose disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Enugu organised to celebrate the film’s performance and highlight its promotion of Igbo culture and heritage.
The film opened in cinemas nationwide on August 21 and remains on theatrical release, with several cinemas still listing it among their current titles.
Odiakaose said the film had surpassed the ₦100 million mark and described the performance as a significant milestone for an Igbo-language production.
Earlier in September, distributor FilmOne Entertainment reported that Ikenga: The Last Festival had crossed ₦75 million at the Nigerian box office and become the highest-grossing Igbo-language film at the time.
The producer said the film was created to promote Igbo culture, language and heritage through entertainment. She explained that the production combines fictional storytelling with cultural elements, including a traditional festival and a love story.
According to Odiakaose, about 90 percent of the film’s dialogue is in Igbo, with subtitles provided for viewers. She added that about 90 percent of the cast and crew are Igbo.
The film features prominent actors including Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Zubby Michael, Jide Kene Achufusi and Beverly Osu, alongside other Nollywood stars. The film is directed by Darlington Kelechi.
Odiakaose said the film’s performance demonstrated audience interest in productions that showcase indigenous culture and identity.
She expressed concern about the declining use of the Igbo language, noting that she herself could not speak the language fluently despite being Igbo.
The producer called on filmmakers to be more deliberate in incorporating indigenous names, languages, traditions and cultural practices into their productions, particularly to expose younger audiences and people in the diaspora to Igbo heritage.
Odiakaose disclosed that Ikenga was her first cinema production, although she had previously produced about 70 films for YouTube and other platforms.
She also announced plans for international screenings of the film in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. According to her, the United States premiere is scheduled for October 30, while screenings in the United Kingdom and Canada are planned for November and December respectively.
Ikenga: The Last Festival remains on cinema schedules in several Nigerian locations, including Enugu and other cities, weeks after its August 21 release.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
