Out Of Africa: HBO Max Picks Up Nigerian Psychological Thriller ‘The Weekend’
Critically acclaimed Nigerian feature film The Weekend is now streaming on HBO Max. The award-winning psychological thriller is currently available to audiences across Central and Eastern Europe, underscoring growing international demand for African storytelling as global streaming services continue to expand their catalogues of independent international cinema. Directed by Daniel Oriahi and produced by Trino Motion Pictures, […]
Black News 
Critically acclaimed Nigerian feature film The Weekend is now streaming on HBO Max.
The award-winning psychological thriller is currently available to audiences across Central and Eastern Europe, underscoring growing international demand for African storytelling as global streaming services continue to expand their catalogues of independent international cinema.
Directed by Daniel Oriahi and produced by Trino Motion Pictures, The Weekend premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, becoming the first independently produced Nigerian film selected by the festival. The film later screened internationally, including selections for the BFI London Film Festival and Screamfest, one of the leading horror film festivals in the United States.
The psychological thriller follows Nikiya (Uzoamaka Power), an orphan searching for belonging, who persuades her fiancé Luke (Bucci Franklin) to introduce her to his estranged family. What begins as a simple weekend visit quickly spirals into a disturbing ordeal as hidden family secrets and sinister traditions begin to surface.
The film features an ensemble cast including Meg Otanwa (Before Valentine’s, The Women), Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey (Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, Amina), Gloria Anozie-Young (Domitilla, 30 Days in Atlanta), Damilola Ogunsi (Far From Home, Shanty Town), and James Gardiner (Azali, Punish Me).
Uche Okocha, Managing Director of Trino Motion Pictures, said, “This is a deeply meaningful moment for us at Trino Motion Pictures and for the Nigerian filmmaking community. When we set out to make The Weekend, our ambition was to tell a story with universal themes through a distinctly African lens. Having HBO Max bring the film to audiences across Europe is a powerful validation that Nollywood stories resonate globally.”
Following its festival run, The Weekend received significant recognition at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards, where it received 16 nominations and won Best Film, Best Nigerian Film (NFVCB Award), Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.
As part of its landmark acquisition by HBO Max, the film is available to subscribers in Albania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, and Serbia.
Trino Motion Pictures is an award-winning Nigerian film production, marketing, sales and distribution company based in Lagos. Founded in 2016, the company is dedicated to developing and exporting bold, authentic African stories that entertain, inspire and connect with audiences worldwide. Trino has built a diverse catalogue of feature films spanning multiple genres. Its slate also includes Sylvia (2018), Three Thieves (2019), The Razz Guy (2021), The One for Sarah (2022), KM17 (2024) and Love Lockdown (2025).
The Weekend is now streaming on HBO Max.
