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The Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) has concluded the maiden edition of its Directors’ Week and DGN Awards 2026, a three-day industry gathering that brought together key players in Nigeria’s film and television sector to celebrate excellence, deepen professional development and examine the future of the country’s creative industry.
Held in Lagos from August 19 to 21, 2026, the programme attracted directors, filmmakers, producers, policymakers, investors, lawyers, distributors, media executives, academics, creative entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from across the country. The gathering was designed not merely as a celebration, but as a platform for meaningful conversations about the changing realities of filmmaking and the evolving responsibilities of directors.
National President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Uche Agbo, said the Directors’ Week was conceived as a deliberate intervention to place directors at the centre of discussions about the Nigerian screen industry. According to him, directors remain crucial to shaping the stories that define the country’s cinematic identity, and therefore require platforms where they can learn, connect, debate, create opportunities and celebrate their achievements.
The programme featured a Media Parley, intensive masterclasses, a Directors’ Roundtable, industry panels and networking sessions. It also included the induction of new members and Fellows of the Guild, special recognitions and the inaugural DGN Awards Night, held at the Alliance Française/Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi.
Throughout the three-day programme, participants examined several issues confronting directors and the wider Nigerian film industry. Discussions focused on career sustainability, representation, financing, intellectual property, distribution, co-productions, advertising, sports, television, streaming, artificial intelligence and faith-based filmmaking.
The organisers also created opportunities for emerging directors to interact with established professionals and influential voices within the creative economy. By bringing together practitioners from different areas of the industry, the event sought to encourage collaboration, knowledge-sharing and stronger professional relationships capable of contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s screen sector.
The climax of the programme was the DGN Awards 2026, which recognised outstanding directors as well as individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. The awards provided an opportunity for the Guild to celebrate professionals whose work and commitment have helped shape the country’s film industry.
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Another major highlight was the induction of new DGN Fellows. The recognition was reserved for distinguished members whose careers and contributions have helped advance the profession of directing in Nigeria. Their induction, according to the Guild, underscored the importance of acknowledging those who have invested years of service, creativity and leadership in the development of the profession.
The DGN also premiered The Angry Six, a documentary chronicling the history and evolution of the Directors Guild of Nigeria. The documentary represents part of the organisation’s effort to preserve its institutional history and document the experiences of previous generations of directors.
For the DGN, preserving this history is important to ensuring that the struggles, sacrifices, achievements and contributions of earlier practitioners remain available to future generations. The documentary therefore serves not only as a record of the past but also as a reminder of the journey that has shaped the organisation and the profession.
The DGN expressed appreciation to members who travelled from different parts of Nigeria to participate in the Directors’ Week and represent their various chapters. The Guild described them as the “real VIPs,” saying their presence demonstrated the strength, unity and national character of the organisation.
The DGN also commended its National Executive Council, Board of Trustees, past presidents, chapter leadership and volunteers for their commitment to delivering the programme successfully. Particular appreciation went to Chief of Staff Betsy Ikeme, National Secretary Perekeme Odon, National Public Relations Officer Emmanuel Eyaba, Assistant National Secretary Ofia Mbaka and Ebuka Onuma, alongside other members of the organising and volunteer teams.
Other individuals recognised for their contributions included Judith Audu, Dan Chris Ebie, Kemi “Kemistry” Adekomi, Titilayo Akinmoyo-Kaaku, Moses Etonzor, Project Manager, and Magnus Edet, Media Protection Lead.
A special recognition was also given to Maureen Onyeogaziri, the Guild’s Administrative Secretary, whose more than 18 years of dedicated service to the organisation was celebrated during the Awards Night.
The DGN acknowledged that the success of an initiative of such scale could not have been achieved by the Guild alone. It therefore expressed appreciation to its partners, including MultiChoice, a Canal+ company; DGN Academy; CCHub Creative Economy Ltd; FilmOne Entertainment; Lasena Water; Alliance Française Lagos and MBN.
The Guild said the support of these organisations demonstrated the importance of collaboration among professional guilds, private-sector companies, creative businesses and institutions in building a stronger and more sustainable Nigerian film industry.
For Agbo, the successful conclusion of the maiden edition represents only the beginning of a larger vision. He said the Directors’ Week must grow into one of the major annual gatherings on Nigeria’s film industry calendar, providing a consistent platform for directors to learn, connect, influence policy, create opportunities and celebrate those shaping the nation’s screens.
The DGN plans to build on the lessons and partnerships established during the 2026 edition, with future editions expected to become bigger, more inclusive and more impactful.
With the successful launch of Directors’ Week and the DGN Awards, the Directors Guild of Nigeria has signalled its determination to strengthen the professional standing of directors while contributing to the continued growth, development and professionalisation of Nigeria’s film and television industry.
