Movies
New Film IREKE Starring Ninalowo, Ajeyemi, and Keturah King Opens BUFF’s Africa Lineup
The British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) is turning the spotlight on Africa with its newly launched Africa Season a bold initiative that will showcase up to 20 African films every year across the UK.
Kicking off this cultural celebration is IREKE, a gripping feature that’s already making waves. Directed by Emmy-nominated BBC journalist Gbolahan Peter Macjob, IREKE is set to premiere on July 25 at the Odeon Greenwich, London.
The film made its market debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and is now headed to British screens with a powerful message. IREKE explores the deeply complex and often overlooked involvement of African families in the transatlantic slave trade. At its core, it follows the story of a Nigerian family forced to reckon with their role in one of history’s darkest chapters.
The cast features a strong mix of Nollywood talent and diaspora stars including:
- Bolanle Ninalowo, known for his commanding screen presence
- Tobi Bakre, fast becoming one of Nollywood’s most versatile actors
- Kolawole Ajeyemi, celebrated for his roles in Yoruba-language cinema
- Femi Branch, a respected veteran in stage and film
- Keturah King, journalist and actress adding cross-cultural depth
- Yetunde Oduwole (Bustline Yetunde), actress and media personality
- Atlanta Bridget Johnson, filmmaker and actress
- Lolade Okusanya, rising star known for her vibrant performances
This marks Macjob’s first feature-length film, and it couldn’t have come at a more significant time. With BUFF stepping in to fill the cultural space left by the BFI’s African Odysseys, IREKE is leading a wave of new African stories that demand attention, nuance and global recognition.
As audiences gear up for its UK premiere, IREKE is already being hailed as more than just a film it’s a conversation starter, a history lesson, and a signal that African cinema is not just rising, but here to stay.
Watch the trailer here:
