“Ireke: Rise of the Maroons,” the 17th-century period epic from Nigeria, is set for a wide theatrical release this summer after making history as the first Nigerian indigenous-language film to premiere at the Marché du Film in Cannes.
Marking the directorial debut of Emmy-nominated BBC journalist Gbolahan Peter Macjob, the film will roll out theatrically across 100 cinemas in the U.K. and Nigeria starting July 25, with additional platform releases scheduled for Trinidad & Tobago & Canada. The film’s market debut was part of a landmark year for Nigerian cinema at Cannes, which also saw My Father’s Shadow become the first Nigerian film to be selected for the festival’s Official Selection.
Produced on a sub-million dollar budget, Ireke is a rare historical epic, set across pre-colonial West Africa and colonial-era Jamaica. The film charts the fictional rise of Prince Atanda, played by Tobi Bakre (Red Circle, Brotherhood, Gangs of Lagos), and the resistance efforts of the Maroons. It is produced by Toyin Moore and director Macjob, with Clare Anyiam-Osigwe and Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe serving as executive producers under the BUFF Studios banner.
BUFF Studios, the international sales and distribution outfit spun out of the BAFTA-accredited British Urban Film Festival, is handling global sales and reports “unprecedented interest” particularly from UK exhibitors. Cinema chains including Vue and Odeon will screen Ireke across key locations such as Romford, Thurrock, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, and London.
In Nigeria, the film will be distributed by Blue Pictures and will open simultaneously nationwide on July 25. The rollout comes as global interest in pan-African storytelling continues to surge across festival circuits and theatrical markets alike.
“Ireke is a story born out of resistance, identity, and survival,” said Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe in a statement. “For 20 years, BUFF has stood at the intersection of Black British and African storytelling. We are especially thrilled to bring this film to audiences in both the UK and Nigeria.”
Rounding out the cast are Atlanta Bridget Johnson as Adunni, Demetri Turin as Master Gerard, Antar Laniyan as the King of Ile Wura, Faithia Williams Balogun as the Maroon Priestess, Kolawole Ajeyemi, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Mofe Duncan, among others.
“Ireke: Rise of the Maroons” opens exclusively in cinemas on July 25 and will run for seven weeks across its key territories.