Asurf Oluseyi, the producer and director behind ‘3 Cold Dishes’, has officially confirmed that the film will have its world premiere in the UK on October 3 at Cineworld Cinemas O2 in London, aligning with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.
The announcement comes with significant prestige: the film has garnered two notable nominations at the upcoming Septimius Awards in Amsterdam: Best Actress for Osas Ighodaro and Best Screenplay for writer Tomi Adesina.
‘3 Cold Dishes’ began principal photography in April 2023, launching in Lagos before moving to Cotonou and Abidjan. A co-direction by Apolline Traoré and a screenplay by Tomi Adesina underscore its Pan-African storytelling.
The collaboration reflects a mission to unite Nollywood talent with Francophone cinema through a strong ensemble cast that includes Osas Ighodaro, Wale Ojo, Femi Jacobs, Fat Toure, Maud Guerard, Amelie Mbaye, and others.
The film tackles the harrowing subject of sex trafficking, tracking the journey of three survivors who reclaim agency and seek justice—a narrative rooted in resilience and empowerment.
Four months ago, Burna Boy, celebrated Grammy winner and executive producer, gave fans a cinematic surprise. At his sold-out Paris concert at Stade de France (attended by over 80,000 people), he unveiled an exclusive teaser of ‘3 Cold Dishes’, igniting buzz with its emotional and visual intensity.
Asurf Films CEO Oluseyi explained that the guided rollout—first in Lagos, then Paris—was a strategic nod to the film’s bilingual nature and a deliberate move to bridge African and global audiences through star power and cultural resonance.
Why the UK Premiere Matters
The October premiere of ‘3 Cold Dishes’ in London is more than just a red-carpet event. By aligning with Nigeria’s Independence Day, the film positions itself as a celebration of cultural pride and a rallying point for the African diaspora in the UK.
The timing also capitalizes on the film’s growing global momentum. With two Septimius Award nominations and the buzz of Burna Boy’s teaser reveal in Paris, anticipation is already high among both African and international audiences.
Most importantly, the premiere underscores the film’s Pan-African vision. With cross-continental production, a multilingual story, and a cast that bridges Nollywood with Francophone cinema, ‘3 Cold Dishes’ represents a cinematic scale and unity that few productions from the region have attempted.
‘3 Cold Dishes’ Global Release Dates
‘3 Cold Dishes’ will have its world premiere on October 3 at Cineworld Cinemas O2 in London, powered by Cokobar and Evrit Films.
After its UK debut, the film will roll out theatrically across Africa and beyond. It begins showing exclusively in cinemas from November 7 in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Cameroon, and the United Kingdom.
From November 28, audiences in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, Togo, DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Tunisia, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Djibouti will also experience the thriller, before its Canadian premiere on December 16, 2025.
