The Coal City Film Festival 2026 has wrapped up in Enugu, leaving a lasting impression as it reignited the coal city as the entertainment hub of the south-east region.
The four-day event, which kicked off on March 26 with the screening of the opening film, “Follow Me To Forever”, featured film screenings, masterclasses, networking, and panel discussions. The closing film, “Evi”, resonated with the attendees, who praised the creative ingenuity of the producers for telling the story of a woman’s journey through adversity towards redemption and self-discovery.
While it lasted, the festival brought a vibrant energy to Enugu, with film stars, producers, students, and policymakers converging on the city. Notable among them were the veteran film maker and director of the pioneering Nollywood movie, “Living in Bondage”, Chris Obi Rapu, who was the head of jury, Ugeze .J.Ugeze, Charles Inojie, Ernest Obi, the Aneke twins, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Linc Ediochie, Emmanuel Eyaba among others.
Attendees also enjoyed free film screenings, unique cultural experiences,such as a palm wine and bush meat roundtable, football match by industry professionals, an awards gala night, and a lively party.
The festival’s highlight was the keynote address by NFC Managing Director, Ali Nuhu, and the induction of five stakeholders into the festival’s Hall of Fame, including NFVCB’s Dr. Shaibu Hussein, NFC boss Dr. Ali Nuhu, veteran actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Ernest Obi, and Ofia Mbaka.
NFVCB boss accepted the honour on behalf of the inductees, thanking the organizers for recognizing their contributions to the industry. “This is a festival to be in the south east, I look forward to next year’s edition,” he said.
The induction was well-received by the audience and Dr. Amaka Catherine, who decorated the inductees was also unveiled as the festival’s first and only Matron. The event showcased African cinema, culture, and authenticity, aligning with the theme “Local Stories, Global Screens.”
Earlier, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Sam Olatunji and Ernest Obi shared valuable insights with film students and attendees during a panel discussion. They were joined by Ugeze J. Ugeze and comic actor Charles Inojie, who also inspired the audience with their career experiences. It was a great opportunity for students to learn from industry experts.
Also, the surprise celebration of Ofia Mbaka’s birthday was a major highlight of Day 2. The actor was clearly overwhelmed and grateful for the thoughtful gesture, feeling indebted to the audience for the love and recognition. It added a lovely touch to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Night of glamour, glitz
The award night was a star-studded affair, with attendees slaying their outfits. But the big winners were Eric Stephenson and Chigozie Onoh, whose films took home four top awards. Stephenson’s “Follow Me To Forever” won Best Overall Film and Best Director, while Onoh’s “In Men’s Code” won Best Actor (Ramsey Nouah) and Best Actress (Nse Ikpe Etim). Other winners included “The Waiter” (Jury Special Recognition) and “Afrikikki” (Best Documentary).
Bridging filmmakers globally through film
Uche Agbo, founder of the Coal City Film Festival, reiterated the festival’s vision, which is bridging filmmakers globally through film. “The festival connects emerging voices with established ones, sharing ideas across borders,” he said. This year’s theme, “Local Stories, Global Screens”, emphasizes telling authentic stories to connect with the world.
Agbo sees the festival evolving into a movement, shaping an ecosystem, creating access, and opening doors. His vision is to make the festival a catalyst for Nigerian stories to reach global audiences.
“The festival continues to evolve as more than an event. It is becoming a movement, one that is shaping an ecosystem, creating access, and opening doors that once seemed out of reach,” Agbo added
