Reel Play by Niles: Giving Nigerian Filmmakers a Real Shot at the Big Screen

In a country where filmmaking has become a lifeline for countless creatives, most never get to see their work beyond laptops, projectors, or links shared in WhatsApp groups. Many short and independent films—crafted with raw passion and limited resources—often end up gathering dust on hard drives, unseen by the audience they deserve. That’s the reality Nile Entertainment wants to change with its new initiative, Reel Play by Niles.

Announced by Nowe Isibor Segun-Ojo, Film Executive and General Manager at Nile Entertainment, Reel Play is more than just another film showcase—it’s a platform built to rewrite the rules for emerging filmmakers across Nigeria and Africa.

“Some films deserve more than a link. They need to be seen on the big screen and yours is one of them,” Segun-Ojo said while unveiling the initiative.

For too long, new and daring voices in filmmaking have struggled to break through systems that favor the familiar. Reel Play is here to change that. It’s designed specifically for short films, mid-length projects, student films, festival entries, proof-of-concept reels, and first-time filmmakers who’ve been creating not for applause, but out of a deep need to tell stories that matter.

Nowe Isibor Segun-Ojo Film Exec & GM at Nile Entertainment

Between November and January, Niles Cinemas will open its screens to these creators—those who’ve shot with friends, borrowed cameras, or scraped together funds just to bring their stories to life. The message is simple: You don’t need permission to create—and you don’t need permission to be seen.

But Reel Play isn’t just about showing films; it’s about building filmmakers. It’s positioned as a cinema incubator where participants will learn how the real world of cinema operates. Attendees will gain insight into box office systems, audience behavior, marketing strategies, press cycles, and print-and-advertising dynamics (P&A)—the same elements that determine how big-screen releases succeed.

The goal? To ensure that the next generation of filmmakers not only tell great stories but also understand how to make those stories profitable and sustainable in the long run.

Segun-Ojo’s words carried a strong reminder: creating is not a hobby for these storytellers—it’s oxygen. “For the ones who make films or perish, this is for you,” she said. “Because when you stop creating, it feels like you’re suffocating.”

Reel Play by Niles stands as an open invitation to every filmmaker who has ever wondered if their work was good enough for cinema. The message is clear—if your story is real and your passion undeniable, Niles wants to help you bring it to the big screen.

So, if your film lives in your heart, if creating feels like breathing, this is your moment. Submit. Step forward. Be seen.

Because one day, when your film headlines the box office, Niles will proudly say, “We saw it first. We backed it first.” Welcome to Reel Play. Your story deserves the big screen.

Limited spots. Real screenings. Real impact. Submit yours to info@thenileworld.com