The much-anticipated political thriller, ’77: The FESTAC Conspiracy’, made a remarkable debut at its world premiere in Lusaka, Zambia, drawing a sold-out audience and reinforcing the growing influence of African cinema on the global stage.
The premiere, held at the International Conference Centre in Lusaka on July 1, served as a major highlight of the Africa Creative Market (ACM) 2026, marking the first time the continental creative industry event has been hosted outside Nigeria.
The star-studded event featured renowned Nollywood actors Rita Dominic and Ramsey Nouah, whose appearance on the red carpet generated excitement among fans and sparked widespread social media engagement.
Directed by Izu Ojukwu, ’77: The FESTAC Conspiracy’ is the sequel to the acclaimed 2016 film ’76 and explores political intrigue against the backdrop of the historic Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77).
Speaking after the screening, Rita Dominic described the event as a celebration of Africa’s shared heritage and the growing strength of the continent’s film industry.
“To see the explosive warmth and energy from our Zambian family tonight proves that African stories know no borders,” she said, adding that the premiere celebrated Africa’s shared history, culture and the bright future of African cinema.
Executive Producer Prince Tonye Princewill described the production as “a cultural reckoning and a global statement” on the future of African filmmaking, noting that the sequel delves deeper into history with greater cinematic ambition.
Organisers said the successful premiere further positions Zambia as an emerging destination for African entertainment tourism while demonstrating the commercial appeal of African historical narratives.
Following the successful premiere, the producers announced plans for a major homecoming premiere in Lagos, where the original FESTAC ’77 festival was held, ahead of the film’s wider theatrical release.
