LUSAKA/Zambia: History was made in Lusaka, Zambia, on Friday evening as the much-anticipated political thriller, ’77: The FESTAC Conspiracy’, premiered before a sold-out audience at the International Conference Centre, in what has been described as a landmark moment for African cinema.
The glamorous premiere served as the flagship event of the Africa Creative Market (ACM) 2026, marking the first time the continent’s foremost creative industry marketplace has been hosted outside Nigeria. The event underscored the growing collaboration within Africa’s creative sector while celebrating the continent’s rich cultural heritage through film.
The red carpet came alive with the arrival of acclaimed Nollywood stars Rita Dominic and Ramsey Nouah, whose appearances drew enthusiastic fans, generated widespread social media attention, and added glamour to an evening that blended entertainment with cultural pride.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Izu Ojukwu, ’77: The FESTAC Conspiracy’ is the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed 2016 film ’76. The new production revisits one of Africa’s most defining historical periods, weaving political intrigue with the legacy of the landmark Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77) held in Lagos, Nigeria.
Industry stakeholders described the premiere as another milestone in the evolution of African storytelling, highlighting Zambia’s emergence as an important destination for entertainment tourism and reaffirming the commercial and cultural appeal of African historical narratives on the global stage.
Addressing guests after the screening, award-winning actress Rita Dominic said the overwhelming reception from audiences in Zambia demonstrated the unifying power of African stories.
“To see the explosive warmth and energy from our Zambian family tonight proves that African stories know no borders,” she said.
Describing the occasion as more than a film premiere, Dominic added:
“This premiere wasn’t just about a movie; it was a celebration of our shared history, our shared culture and the booming future of African cinema.”
Executive Producer Prince Tonye Princewill said the production represents a bold statement about the future of African filmmaking.
“With ’77: The FESTAC Conspiracy’, we are going deeper into history, but with even more cinematic power. This film is a cultural reckoning and a global statement about where African cinema is headed,” he said.
Following the successful premiere, the producers announced plans for a major homecoming premiere in Lagos, Nigeria—the historic host city of FESTAC ’77. The event is expected to precede the film’s nationwide theatrical release and will celebrate the production in the city where the story’s historical roots are anchored.
The Lusaka premiere has been widely hailed as a defining moment not only for the film but also for the continued rise of African cinema as a global cultural and commercial force, reinforcing the continent’s capacity to tell its own stories to international audiences with authenticity, scale and cinematic excellence.
