Nollywood Brings 3 Films to LA Showcase in March 2026

Three Nigerian films will light up Los Angeles screens this March, bringing stories of romance, resilience, and reconciliation to American audiences. The Nollywood in Hollywood showcase returns March 6-7 with films that span the full range of contemporary African storytelling.

The lineup kicks off with "Stitches," a romantic drama about a fashion designer whose rise into high society gets tangled with love and secrets. Director Shirley Frimpong-Manso, a Ghanaian filmmaker, makes her Nollywood debut with this red carpet opening at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.

Day two brings "When Nigeria Happens," where contemporary dance meets drama in the bustling streets of Lagos. The film follows dancers chasing their dreams while pushing back against what society expects of them.

The showcase closes with "To Adaego With Love," a historical drama set in post-conflict Nigeria. The story centers on a forbidden romance between a Northern soldier and an Igbo teacher, exploring how love can bridge deep divides.

The Ripple Effect

This annual showcase does more than screen movies. It creates real connections between Nigerian filmmakers and Hollywood decision-makers, opening doors that once seemed locked.

Since 2018, founder Ose Oyamendan has championed Nigerian cinema through these cultural exchanges. The timing proved perfect: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences began inviting Nigerian filmmakers to join as voting members, expanding Nigeria's role from submitting films to helping choose Oscar winners.

Previous showcases featured "My Father's Shadow," which made history as Nigeria's first Cannes Film Festival official selection. That film screened at the same USC venue where this year's lineup was announced.

The event brings together three major partners: American Cinematheque, USC School of Cinematic Arts, and O2A Media. Post-screening conversations let audiences connect directly with the filmmakers behind each story.

"Each of these films speaks to a different part of our shared experience: love, ambition, history and healing," Oyamendan said. The growing global appetite for African stories means these films arrive at exactly the right moment.