Nollywood’s Phoenix Fury to premiere at US African film festival

Nollywood blockbuster drama Phoenix Fury has been officially selected to premiere at the 16th edition of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF) in the United States.

Organisers of the festival announced the selection on their verified Instagram page, @svafilmfest, noting that the film is among 92 productions from 35 countries scheduled to screen at the event, which runs from October 9 to 12 in San Jose, California.

Written, directed, and produced by award-winning filmmaker Ifeoma Chukwuogo, Phoenix Fury stars Uzoamaka Power, Onyinye Odokoro, Joseph Momodu, Ama K. Abebrese, and veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo.

The drama follows Ewura-Ama, a widow who inherits a luxury resort in Ghana, only for her life to be upended by Yali, Nigeria’s newly elected governor.

The selection marks another milestone for the film, which won Best Film and Best Director at the 2024 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), and recently earned a 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) nomination for Best Lead Actress.

Other Nigerian films on this year’s SVAFF lineup include Mother’s Love, Osamede, Soft Love, In Her Shoes, and The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí, among others.

Founded by Chike Nwoffiah, the Silicon Valley African Film Festival seeks to foster global understanding of Africa and its diaspora by showcasing authentic African stories through film, alongside live performances, panel discussions, a fashion show, and an African Market.