The screening at the third African Indigenous Language Film Festival supports broader discussions about preserving culture through film.

TENANTS of the House, a political thriller produced by author and filmmaker, Dr Wale Okediran and directed by Kunle Afolayan, was screened at the third African Indigenous Language Film Festival (AILFF’26) in Parakou, Benin Republic from July 22 to 25. The film was part of a program that celebrated storytelling in African languages.

Adapted from Okediran’s novel and written for the screen by Tunde Babalola, the film looks at how political ambition, governance, ethnicity, and personal conviction come together in Nigeria’s democracy. Although it is set in Nigeria, its themes of power, compromise, and accountability raise broader questions about leadership throughout Africa today.

The story centres on Samuel Bakura, a young legislator with strong ideals who faces challenges to his principles as he deals with the realities of political office. His interactions with fellow lawmaker Elizabeth Bello highlight the negotiations, alliances, and competing interests that shape legislative politics.

Along with its political story, the film also focuses on Samuel’s relationship with Batejo, a Fulani woman. Her presence brings up questions about identity, belonging, and cultural expectations. One of the film’s key scenes features the Fulani Sharo initiation ritual, using it to reflect on endurance, sacrifice, and the challenges of national unity.

The screening was especially meaningful at AILFF, a festival focused on promoting indigenous languages and African storytelling. By switching between Hausa and English, ‘Tenants of the House’ puts language at the heart of its story. This reflects the multilingual reality of Nigeria today and supports wider discussions about preserving culture through film.

Okediran, who often explores issues of governance in his work, brings these themes to the screen by balancing political intrigue with personal relationships. Afolayan directs with a steady pace and a focus on visuals, letting the drama come through the characters and their conversations instead of relying on spectacle.

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At the festival, Okediran also shared plans for his next film, ‘Madagali’, which is another adaptation of his novels. He held a UK reading tour of ‘Madagali’ in December 2025. The producer is looking for investment partners, co-producers, and distributors before production begins.

This announcement shows that there is still strong interest in adapting literature for Nigerian cinema. More established novels are being turned into films as the industry grows and reaches international audiences.

Outside the festival scene, ‘Tenants of the House’ is now available to viewers beyond Africa on the US-based streaming platform WildHorse TV. This makes the film accessible to audiences across the diaspora and in international markets.

The screening in Parakou also showed how African film festivals are becoming important places for showcasing films, networking, and industry growth. Events like AILFF are now key meeting points for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and audiences, and they give a platform to films that highlight indigenous languages and local stories.

In ‘Tenants of the House’, issues of leadership, conscience, and democracy are explored through a story that focuses on both personal choices and political systems. As African cinema gains more international attention, films like this show that stories based on local histories, languages, and cultures can connect with audiences everywhere.

With ‘Madagali’ now heading into production, Okediran seems ready to keep exploring the link between literature and film.