In a stunning directorial debut, filmmaker Fatimah Binta Gimsay has etched her name in the history books as her first feature film, “Black Market” set a new Guinness World Records title.
The film achieved the feat at its maiden screening on September 26, 2026, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where it recorded a confirmed viewing audience of 51,258 out of approximately 63,000 attendees, establishing the record for the largest film screening at a single location.
The record-breaking event marks an extraordinary first chapter for Gimsay, whose debut feature places her among a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers pushing the boundaries of how African stories can be produced, presented and experienced.
“Black Market” follows five market women whose involvement in a cross-border smuggling operation takes a dramatic turn when one of their daughters is kidnapped. What begins as a story rooted in survival and commerce becomes a high-stakes journey of loyalty, sacrifice and redemption.
Written by Gimsay and co-written by Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, “Black Market” features an ensemble cast including Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Itele D Icon and Uzor Arukwe. The film was produced by Nora Awolowo and Nicole Ofoegbu, while the event was produced by Switch Visuals.
For Gimsay, the achievement is about more than the size of an audience. It represents a vision for Nigerian cinema that can combine ambitious storytelling with experiences capable of bringing tens of thousands of people together.
“It is one thing to pull an audience together, and it is another to keep them seated throughout the film. This is the combined power of storytelling and community,” she said.
“Breaking a Guinness World Records title is an extraordinary milestone, but seeing thousands of people come together to experience my directorial debut made the journey even more meaningful.
“For me, it represents the power of a story to bring people together. I hope “Black Market”inspires us to believe that Nigerian cinema can dream bigger, tell our stories boldly and create experiences that resonate far beyond the screen,” she added.
“Black Market” is currently in cinemas nationwide for a limited release and is distributed by FilmOne Entertainment.
