The inaugural edition of ‘Reel Connections Summit (TRCS)‘ is set to travel across key film hubs in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Nigeria in 2026. Founded by acclaimed filmmaker Darlington Abuda—whose impressive portfolio includes Nollywood’s first Guinness World Record with *“30 Days in Atlanta”*—TRCS aims to serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing Nollywood’s talent and potential on the global stage.
With over a decade of experience producing blockbuster films across three continents, Abuda envisions TRCS as a premier ‘B2B platform‘ that fosters collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange between Nollywood and the international film industry. The summit is designed to unite producers, directors, investors, and content creators from Nigeria and beyond—a melting pot of diverse cinematic cultures and markets.
‘’As our industry evolves with new production techniques, financing models, and storytelling innovations, TRCS provides a vibrant environment for exploring partnerships, sharing insights, and igniting creative collaborations,’’ Abuda remarked.
He emphasized that “TRCS is more than just a summit—it’s a movement focused on building bridges across industries, regions, and generations of storytellers. Our mission is to strengthen an interconnected global film community through meaningful conversations, professional networking, and strategic partnerships—ultimately empowering Nigerian filmmakers and elevating African cinema on the world stage, he added.
Set to be the most expansive content summit yet born from Nigeria, the 2026 edition will bring together thought leaders, filmmakers, investors, distributors, streaming platforms, and emerging talents from around the globe. Participants will explore the latest trends in content creation, financing, distribution, and storytelling innovation.
The summit’s multiple global locations reflect a strategic vision—offering unique cultural and industry insights across the Atlantic and positioning TRCS as an essential annual event connecting Africa’s vibrant creative economy with the international film ecosystem.
The opening event, themed Bridging Nollywood and the Global Filmscape, will be hosted in the United States, placing it at the epicenter of worldwide entertainment. Abuda explained, “This choice aims to foster direct collaborations with Hollywood stakeholders, creating opportunities for co-productions, financing, and distribution deals—while amplifying Nollywood’s presence globally.”
In addition, Abuda announced the launch of the TRCS Protege Program which is an innovative and bold and exclusive initiative designed to nurture the next generation of storytellers. This platform will enable emerging filmmakers, student directors, and content creators to pitch projects directly to investors, producers, and studio executives. “Participants will benefit from mentorship, development support, festival showcases, funding opportunities, and matchmaking with executive producers,” Abuda explained.
TRCS has received official endorsements from the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), underscoring robust institutional support for its mission to elevate African cinema and encourage international co-productions. Additional endorsements and strategic alliances are anticipated in the coming months.
With its growing backing, TRCS 2026 promises to be a transformative platform—expanding storytelling horizons, promoting inclusivity, and amplifying the global reach of African cinema. For registration details for both the summit and the Protege Program, visit[www.trcsummit.com
