Moses Babatope and the Rise of Nigeria’s Theatrical-First Film Model

FilmOne’s co-founder, Moses Babatope, is reshaping Nigeria’s cinema culture by betting on theatrical-first releases when streaming dominates. Here’s how he’s keeping big screens alive in Africa.

The Man Behind Nigeria’s Cinema Renaissance

In a time when Netflix and Prime Video dominate viewing habits, one man is quietly holding the line for cinema. Moses Babatope, co-founder of FilmOne Entertainment, believes that theatrical-first releases remain the heart of the African film experience.

From the box office hits The Wedding Party to Battle on Buka Street and Adire, Babatope’s company has built a distribution ecosystem that keeps audiences returning to cinemas. As of 2024, FilmOne controlled over 60% of Nigeria’s theatrical market, making Babatope one of the most influential figures in African film business.

“Streaming is the future, but cinema remains the heartbeat — it’s where stories feel communal, not just consumed.” — Moses Babatope, FilmOne Entertainment

Building a Cinema-First Culture

When FilmOne launched in 2014, Nigeria’s box office was barely structured. Babatope and his co-founder, Kene Okwuosa, introduced modern distribution models that prioritized cinema windows — theatrical releases before any streaming or VOD rollout.

The approach was risky. Nollywood’s business model had long favored direct-to-DVD and digital-first releases. But FilmOne’s focus on premium production and box office marketing changed audience behavior. By 2022, Nigerian box office revenues surpassed ₦6.94 billion, despite inflation and streaming competition.

Their strategy combined cinema partnerships and regional storytelling — backing films that resonate with Nigerian humor, culture, and diaspora emotion.

Success Stories and Strategic Shifts

Babatope’s FilmOne isn’t just a distributor — it’s a content powerhouse. From production to theatrical and streaming licensing, the company manages full-cycle control.

In 2023, Battle on Buka Street grossed over ₦670 million, becoming Nigeria’s highest-grossing film at the time. This reinforced the belief that theatrical-first can still win — if the content speaks directly to local audiences.

Key Partnerships:

• Universal Pictures (distribution collaboration)

• Empire Entertainment (South Africa) for Pan-African theatrical expansion

• Prime Video licensing deals post-theatrical

“African films must travel, but we’ll never sacrifice the big screen. The experience is what makes our culture cinematic.” — Babatope

The Future: Pan-African Screens

Babatope is now leading FilmOne’s expansion into Ghana and Kenya. With FilmHouse Cinemas already established, his goal is to develop a Pan-African cinema ecosystem, where films can premiere theatrically across multiple countries before landing on global streaming.

Recent initiatives include co-developing FilmOne Studios, a creative hub that nurtures young filmmakers in production and distribution business models. “We’re training the next generation to understand that box office is not the past,” he told ShockNG in an April 2024 interview.

Why It Matters

Moses Babatope’s theatrical-first strategy proves that African cinema can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Hollywood and Bollywood on the big screen. By prioritizing experience over immediacy, he’s redefined what it means to go to the movies in Nigeria — and inspired an entire continent to dream bigger screens.