Film producers from across the continent gathered in Lagos on November 12, 2026, to pitch their upcoming productions directly to major financial institutions and private equity firms. The business meetings took place during the African Producers Accelerator and African Film Investor Roundtable, held in partnership with Creative Africa Nexus during CANEX WKND.
The initiative was jointly organised by South African production company Big World Cinema and creative economy investor HEVA Fund. According to Punch, 12 filmmakers from Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, South Africa, and Sudan held private discussions with representatives from banks, development finance institutions, and public film funds to explore joint investment opportunities.
Four prominent Nigerian producers took part in the pitch sessions: Abba T. Makama of Osiris Film and Entertainment, Funmbi Ogunbanwo of Fatherland, Josh Olaoluwa of Conceptified Media, and Mimi Bartels of Myka Films. Makama is well known for directing the award-winning feature Juju Stories, while Ogunbanwo produced My Father’s Shadow, which earned a Caméra d’Or Special Mention at Cannes. Olaoluwa produced the acclaimed festival title One Woman One Bra, and Bartels previously worked on Netflix’s hit title The Black Book.
Before holding discussions with the financiers, the filmmakers completed a three-day training lab running from November 2 to 4. During the sessions, industry experts mentored them on key business areas, including intellectual property management, international sales, casting, production, and film acquisitions.
The gathering also featured a closed-door roundtable where institutional investors discussed the potential of African cinema. Organizations present included Chapel Hill Denham, Sterling Bank, MBO Capital, Kuramo Capital, TrustBanc, CANEX Creations Inc., the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa.
Organisers noted that African investors are showing stronger interest in backing films aimed at the international market. A notable example highlighted at the event was Clarissa, an African-funded film that premiered at Cannes in 2026 and secured an upcoming theatrical release in the United States through Neon.
