Nigerian filmmaker Gbolahan Peter Macjob is preparing for the worldwide release of his latest movie, Ireke: Rise of the Maroons, scheduled for July 25 across five countries.
NaijNaira learnt the film made history at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival as the first Nigerian local language movie to premiere at the prestigious event. It marks a milestone not just for Macjob, but for the Nigerian film industry as a whole.
The Yoruba historical film will open in over 100 cinemas across the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Austria—making it the first Nigerian production to secure such an extensive international release footprint. Even more remarkable, Ireke has become the first Nigerian movie to strike an exclusive distribution deal with Europe’s largest cinema chain, Odeon.
“Ireke: Rise of the Maroons” tells the story of an 18th-century Caribbean slave rebellion, detailing the struggles that led to the formation of the Maroons and their eventual peace treaty that brought an end to slavery in that region.
Following its Cannes debut, the film has sparked interest in stories that bridge shared histories between the global south and global north.
“This is the first time anything like this has happened in Sub-Saharan Africa—and the fact that it’s a debut for the writer and director makes it even more special,” said a source familiar with the project.
Macjob’s bold venture underscores the growing appeal of culturally rich narratives told in indigenous languages. With Nigeria’s film industry expanding its reach, Ireke: Rise of the Maroons is poised to connect with Black and ethnic minority audiences across Europe and Africa this summer.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
