The inaugural edition of Reel Connections Summit (TRCS) is set to travel across key film hubs in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Nigeria in 2026.
Founded by acclaimed filmmaker, Darlington Abuda, whose impressive portfolio includes Nollywood’s first Guinness World Record with 30 Days in Atlanta, TRCS aims to serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing Nollywood’s talent and potential on the global stage.
With over a decade of experience producing blockbuster films across three continents, Abuda envisions TRCS as a premier B2B platform that fosters collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange between Nollywood and the international film industry.
The summit, according to him, is designed to serve as a melting pot of diverse cinematic cultures and markets, unite producers, directors, investors, and content creators from Nigeria and beyond.
“As our industry evolves with new production techniques, financing models, and storytelling innovations, TRCS provides a vibrant environment for exploring partnerships, sharing insights, and igniting creative collaborations,” Abuda remarked.
He emphasised that “TRCS is more than just a summit; it’s a movement focused on building bridges across industries, regions, and generations of storytellers. Our mission is to strengthen an interconnected global film community through meaningful conversations, professional networking, and strategic partnerships—ultimately empowering Nigerian filmmakers and elevating African cinema on the world stage,” the filmmaker added.
Set to be the most expansive content summit yet born from Nigeria, the 2026 edition, Abuda notes, will bring together thought leaders, filmmakers, investors, distributors, streaming platforms, and emerging talents from around the globe. He added that participants will explore the latest trends in content creation, financing, distribution, and storytelling innovation.
According to him, the summit’s multiple global locations reflect a strategic vision; offering unique cultural and industry insights across the Atlantic and positioning TRCS as an essential annual event connecting Africa’s vibrant creative economy with the international film ecosystem.
The opening event, themed, “Bridging Nollywood and the Global Filmscape,” will be hosted in the United States, placing it at the epicentre of worldwide entertainment. “This choice aims to foster direct collaborations with Hollywood stakeholders, creating opportunities for co-productions, financing, and distribution deals—while amplifying Nollywood’s presence globally,” Abuda enthused,
In addition, the filmmaker announced the launch of the TRCS Protege Programme, which is an innovative and bold and exclusive initiative designed to nurture the next generation of storytellers.
This platform will enable emerging filmmakers, student directors, and content creators to pitch projects directly to investors, producers, and studio executives. “Participants will benefit from mentorship, development support, festival showcases, funding opportunities, and matchmaking with executive producers,” Abuda explained.
TRCS has received official endorsements from the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), underscoring robust institutional support for its mission to elevate African cinema and encourage international co-productions. Additional endorsements and strategic alliances are anticipated in the coming months.
