The premiere of the long awaited adventure movie “The Artifact”which made its debut on March 21,2025, at the cinemas nationwide, took place in Lagos penultimate Tuesday.
Top media industry guests thronged the exquisite J.Randle Centre at Onikan, Lagos, an outstanding venue complete with a museum, swimming pool and more.
The star-studded guest lists featured theatre impresarios and actors like Bolanle Austen- Peters, Theater Arts Prof. Duro Oni, former Director General of Nigerian Tekevision Authoritu, Vincent Maduka and wife; Prof Wale Awodiya, plus a few of the actors in the movie, like Prof. Sola Fosudo and Gabriel Afolayan.
Guest actors and actresses present also include Kiki Omeili, Demi Banwo (Producer Gangs of Lagos) and comedian Kenny Black.
The corporate world attracted to the event, apart from sponsors, Fidelity Bank, Rite Foods, Oriki Gin and 440 shopping include, Flutterwave CFO, Ife Orioke; Partner KPMG, Aminat Jegede and Opeyemi Anipole of Feuille Blanche Ltd.
From Standard Chartered,Tony Akarah, Segilola Aboaba of Multichoice and Former Chairman of Vitafoam, Dr. Dele Makanjuola.
Some 300 film enthusiasts and young at heart guests watched the film by the pool side on the big screen. They complemented the bigger treat at the main hall with about 100 special guests.
Fun and partying went on till almost midnight.
‘The Artifact” movie, a true breath of fresh air is an highly-anticipated adventure-laden movie, directed by one of Nollywood’s leading visionary greats, Tolu Awobiyi, a.k.a. LordTanner.
It promises to take audiences on a gripping and thrilling, jaw-dropping adventure across Nigeria.
“The Artifact” follows the story of four brave young actors as they embark on a perilous expedition to unearth three precious stones and uncover the secrets of a mysterious artifact and probably other rare art treasures gracing foreign galeries.
Having to surmount cryptic clues, hidden dangers, shocking cloak-and-dagger criminals, this film will melt guests at the premiere on the edge of their seats.
The film boasts an array of all-star cast, including Gabriel Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, Shola Fosudo, Okey Uzoeshi and Wendy Lawal. The film also introduces four new and young upcoming actors played by Adeoluwa Akintoba, Miracle Inyanda, Ovy Godwin and Sharon Rotimi as they all brave the cross-country rollercoaster ride in the production of this film.
The making of “The Artifact” took the team of 80 filmmakers and production crew led by LordTanner through seven states across Nigeria, filming several landscapes and scenes including three resplendent waterfalls. Some of these kaleidoscopic scenes were shot on locations at Erin Ijesa in Osun State, Ngwo Waterfalls in Enugu, and Assop Falls in Plateau State.
This film does not take the usual mystical African genre, but explores a different format, creating a first of its kind live action-adventure film in Nollywood that promises to give joy to everyone young and young at heart.
At the “Artifact’s premiere on Tuesday from left,one of the Actors l,Prof Sola Fosudo,Film maker, Lord Tanner,Tolu Awobiyi and wife, Tomisin,Actor,Gabriel Afolayan,Nigeria’s first female Engineer, Joanna Olu Maduka and husband, Vincent, who was NTA’s first Director General;Theatre Arts Professor,Duro Oni an Ex DVC and Dean of Arts at Unilag and the parents of Lord Tanner,Tunde Awobiyi,(FNGE)former GM and Editor at DTN and wife, Olusheye,former Principal MGHS,Yaba.
In the words of the Director, Tolu LordTanner, “I wondered what an African Indiana Jones film series would look like. What would a story that sat in the world of African museums, ancient artifacts, stolen monuments and valuable art and gemstones feel like on screen? As a child I read the Famous Fives, the Secret Sevens and wanted to tell African stories to African kids with almost the same zeal. Becoming a filmmaker now therefore offers the ultimate opportunity to explore this uncommon genre. “The Artifact” is then consequently a childhood dream come true.”
The film was first screened at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) last November and it was met with such instant rave reaction and reviews from the audience who couldn’t seem to get enough of it. LordTanner is quoted as saying “I have never heard an audience scream my name that loudly since I started making films.”
The Writer/Producer/Director says this is the first of a series of film titled “The Artifact series” which is billed to travel around Africa in order of planned sequels with East and Central African nations of Tanzania and Rwanda, most likely the next ports of call.
Below are comments on the premiere from guests.
* The Artifact is a fresh and timely reminder of how blessed we are in Nigeria to have rich stories that can be brought to life thanks to the backdrop of our amazing geography. I have always known Tolu Awobiyi to be a passionate Pan Nigerian who has been keen to show the best of our country through his creative voice. He, the cast and crew of The Artifact succeed with aplomb with the exquisite execution of a project that will easily challenge any production for quality and finesse. We at NILE are delighted to have the rare privilege of bringing this enthralling piece to Nigerian and global audiences from March 21, 2025 and soon to be announced dates for select markets. –
Moses Babatope MD, Nile Group- Film Distributor
* What an impressive premiere of #TheArtifactMovie! The film was absolutely captivating, and the choice of cast were the perfect icing on the cake. The performances were effortlessly delivered and the whole film brought back nostalgia from years ago when I was a fun seeking youth. “
-Tony Akarah, ,Standard Chartered Bank
