Call of My Life’s BlackStar audience award shows how festival community, filmmaker access and grassroots promotion can help Nollywood travel abroad and connect.
Call of My Life has secured an important international audience signal for Nollywood. BlackStar Projects announced on August 11, 2026, that the romantic comedy won the Favorite Feature Narrative audience award at the 2026 BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia.
Unlike a jury prize, the recognition reflects the preferences of festival viewers. That distinction makes the result especially relevant to Nigerian filmmakers seeking evidence that culturally specific stories can connect with audiences beyond their home market.
An audience award in a crowded festival programme
Directed by Dammy Twitch and written by Uzoamaka Power, Call of My Life had its United States festival premiere on August 7 at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater. Power also stars alongside Andrew Yaw Bunting, Zubby Michael, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwor, Beverly Osu and Broda Shaggi.
The film competed for attention within a BlackStar programme comprising 91 films from more than 30 countries. Its audience award therefore stands out as more than a ceremonial appearance on the festival circuit: viewers selected it from a substantial international offering.
BlackStar Projects reported thousands of attendees, record sales and multiple sold-out screenings during a festival built around films, conversations and community gatherings. That environment matters because discovery was not limited to a single screening. Filmmaker access, discussion and shared experiences gave audiences more opportunities to form a connection with the work.
Grassroots promotion can begin with the crew
The film’s path also offers a practical marketing lesson. In an interview published by PiggyVest, producer Blessing Uzzi said the campaign highlighted crew members and drew on their personal communities and relationships to build anticipation. She also pointed to the positive response to the trailer.
For Nollywood producers, that approach shows the value of treating cast and crew members as active participants in audience-building. Personal recommendations and professional networks can create momentum before a film enters cinemas, festivals or digital distribution.
What the BlackStar result signals for Nollywood
The award does not provide box-office figures or guarantee wider distribution. It does, however, offer a credible measure of audience enthusiasm in an international festival setting.
For Nollywood, the larger opportunity lies in combining strong storytelling with spaces where viewers can meet filmmakers, discuss films and advocate for discoveries. Call of My Life shows how a festival community can extend a Nigerian title’s cultural reach and give it a life beyond its initial domestic campaign.
Join the conversation
Can festival audience awards help more Nollywood films build lasting interest outside Nigeria?
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Sources
Source links used to research and verify this article:
BlackStar Projects — 2026 Award WinnersBlackStar Projects — Call of My Life
BlackStar Projects — 2026 Festival Lineup
PiggyVest
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