‘The Weekend’, the psychological thriller from Trino Motion Pictures, is now streaming on HBO Max across several Central and Eastern European territories, marking another international milestone for the film following its extensive festival run.
Directed by Daniel Oriahi and produced by Uche Okocha, the film follows Nikiya, played by Uzoamaka Power, an orphan who visits the family of her fiancé Luke (Bucci Franklin). What begins as a long-awaited introduction to her future in-laws spirals into a disturbing encounter with buried secrets and unsettling traditions.
The ensemble cast also includes Meg Otanwa, Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, Gloria Anozie-Young, Damilola Ogunsi, and James Gardiner.
According to Okocha, the HBO Max release reflects the film’s original ambition to travel beyond local audiences.
“When we set out to make ‘The Weekend’, our ambition was to tell a story with themes familiar to a global audience through our own perspective,” Okocha said. “Having HBO Max bring the film to its subscribers affirms that these stories can resonate far beyond their immediate environment.”
The streaming rollout continues the film’s steady international expansion since its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2024, where it became one of the few independently produced Nollywood titles selected by the New York festival. The film later screened at the BFI London Film Festival and Screamfest Horror Film Festival, among others.
Its festival momentum translated into awards and recognition at home as well. At the Africa Movie Academy Awards, ‘The Weekend’ received 16 nominations and won multiple prizes, including Best Film, Best Nigerian Film (NFVCB Award), Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.
The HBO Max release introduces the thriller to subscribers in markets including Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and several other Central and Eastern European territories.
For Trino Motion Pictures, the deal represents part of a broader strategy to expand the reach of its films through international platforms and audiences. The company, led by Okocha, has increasingly focused on positioning its titles for global circulation following their festival runs.
As ‘The Weekend’ continues its rollout, the film’s trajectory from festival discovery to premium streaming distribution offers another example of how Nollywood features are finding audiences beyond traditional markets.
