Nollywood has set a new Guinness World Record after more than 51,000 people gathered at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos to watch the crime thriller, Black Market.
The record was confirmed during the screening on Saturday night, with a Guinness World Records official announcing that the event had attracted more than 51,000 attendees.
FilmOne, the distributor of the movie, also confirmed the achievement in a statement posted on its social media platforms.
“51,000+ people. One screen. One moment that just made history,” FilmOne said.
“We’ve officially set a WORLD RECORD for the Largest Audience Gathering Ever for a Movie Screening.”
The distributor added, “Nigeria, we didn’t just watch a movie. WE MADE HISTORY.”
The event drew a massive crowd to the Lagos venue, with long queues reportedly extending towards the TBS roundabout as movie enthusiasts arrived for the screening.
The record attempt was planned with a target of 50,000 people at one location.
The gates opened at 2pm, while the red carpet began around 3pm.
The main screening was scheduled for between 7pm and 8.30pm.
The programme also featured musical performances, games and food, while several celebrities and public figures were seen at the venue.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, arrived at about 8.50pm.
Among the celebrities present were actors Gabriel Afolayan, Real Warri Pikin and Tomi Ojo.
Black Market was produced by Rixel Studios, Signet Ring Studios and FilmOne Studios and distributed by FilmOne. Fatimah Binta Gimsay directed the film, while Nora Awolowo served as producer.
The movie features Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Uzor Arukwe, among others.
The crime thriller centres on five market women who become involved in a cross-border smuggling operation amid fuel scarcity and economic hardship.
Their situation takes a darker turn when the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped, setting off a series of dramatic events.
The record-breaking screening was supported by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, as well as several corporate partners.
