19/06/2012 - New distribution outfit to specialise in black film

Talking Drum Entertainment, a new UK based distribution company specialising in black film, will commence operations with an August 17 release for African romantic drama Tango With Me, starring Genevieve Nnaji and Joseph Benjamin as a young couple facing a complex concoction of moral issues within their marriage.

The film directed and produced by Mahmood Ali-Balogun under his Brickwall Communications production company will play at major cinema chains - Odeon, Vue and Cineworld - in what will be one of the widest releases for a black independent film in the UK and Ireland.

Nnaji (Half Of A Yellow Sun) is one of the most popular actresses in the Nigerian film industry, known colloquially as Nollywood that produces more films annually than Hollywood and is second only to Bollywood.

Mahmood Ali-Balogun said, “This is a positive development for African films in general, and Nollywood in particular, because a wider audience will experience our films, and returns on film investments will improve greatly for the benefit of all stakeholders in our bid to take the industry to greater heights.”

Tango With Me won best actor, best movie, best director, best cinematographer and best sound design at the recent Nollywood Movies Awards.