VIDEO: NOLLYWOOD’S ‘BLACK MARKET’ BREAKS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR LARGEST AUDIENCE AT FILM SCREENING WITH OVER 51,000 VIEWERS

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By’ Sefiu Ajape

Nollywood crime thriller Black Market has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a film screening in a single location, with more than 51,000 people watching the movie at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

The record-breaking screening took place on Saturday as thousands of movie lovers, celebrities, industry stakeholders and creatives gathered at TBS for the highly anticipated premiere.

The Guinness World Records announcement was virtually broadcast on the big screen after the screening, with the official revealing that the event had surpassed the existing record of 43,624 attendees, set in 2015 during a screening of the Filipino film Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena.

Speaking during the announcement, the Guinness World Records representative said, “The record being attempted today was for the largest attendance at a film screening and here are some of the guidelines that you had to follow.

“Only attendees present at the start and the end of the premiere may be counted towards the record total and attendees may leave the film screen for comfort breaks but anyone who does not return or leaves the venue early before the end of the film is not counted towards the final total.”

He added, “Now the current record stands at 43,624 attendees which was achieved back in 2015 in the Philippines.”

After confirming the relevant documentation and completing the required verification, the representative announced the new record, saying, “I can now announce that the team from Switch Visuals production and Rixel Studios have managed to achieve a total count of over 51,000 people and this is a new Guinness World Record.”

The announcement triggered loud cheers, celebrations and fireworks from the crowd at TBS.

Earlier, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, expressed optimism that the event would break the existing record, while highlighting the importance of infrastructure in supporting the state’s creative and entertainment industry.

Hamzat said, “Lagos has the talent. What we need to do is provide the infrastructure. You cannot have the talent and not have the infrastructure to support that talent.”

He added that the success of the creative industry could have a wider economic and cultural impact, citing the influence of Hollywood on California and noting that Nollywood could similarly strengthen Nigeria’s global cultural influence.

Organisers had targeted 50,000 simultaneous viewers for the screening, which was held with the support of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

The event also featured a red carpet, music, food, games and other entertainment activities, with the gates opening at 2pm and the red carpet beginning at about 4pm ahead of the main screening.

The premiere attracted prominent figures including Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Toke Benson, and Nollywood stars Lateef Adedimeji, Kunle Remi, Stan Nze, Linda Ejiofor, Gabriel Afolayan and Kunle Afolayan, among others.

Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and co-written by Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, Black Market follows five women involved in a cross-border smuggling operation whose lives are thrown into turmoil after the daughter of one of them is kidnapped.

Other cast members in the movie include Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Ganchung Pwajok, Lateef Adedimeji, Itele D-Icon, Andrew Yaw Bunting, Kanaga Eme Jnr, Taye Arimoro, Shamz Garuba, Uzor Arukwe, Folagade Banks and Tomiwa Tegbe.

The screening was organised by Rixel Studios in collaboration with FilmOne Studios, Signet Ring Studios and Switch Visuals Production.

See moment Guinness World Records announced the feat below: