The latest project from Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun (popularly known as AY) will be screened in French-speaking African countries. Already the film, titled The Waiter, has enjoyed box office success in Nigeria, where it was distributed by a rare partnership between Genesis Pictures and Silverbird Distribution.
For the film’s French berth, distribution will be handled by newcomer outfit Nile Entertainment. “Get ready for a cinematic excitement that’ll leave you wanting more, starting this Friday,” the distributor posted on Instagram.
To catch The Waiter on the big screen in Francophone Africa from January 10, cinemagoers will have to purchase tickets at Cinema Majestic in Ivory Coast or Canal Olympia in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Togo, and Rwanda.
Ireland and the UK cinemas will screen the film from January 17. Canada and the US will follow a week later.
The Waiter is directed by Toka McBaror and produced by Ayo Makun Productions. The film stars AY himself as well as Deyemi Okanlawon, Shaffy Bello, Sushine Rosman, Regina Daniels, Rahama Sadau, Williams Uchemba, May Edochie, and Toke Makinwa.
In the film, the titular character (played by AY) is thrust into a series of unexpected events when his shift at a hotel is overtaken by an invasion.
The Waiter landed in cinemas across Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia on December 20 and by Boxing Day had earned over 100m naira, making AY one of Nigeria’s box office sure bets, following the financial success of his Merry Men franchise and the destination-titled films that began with 30 Days in Atlanta back in 2014.
According to a post shared by Makun on January 2, The Waiter has surpassed the Boxing Day figures, earning over 210m naira at the Nigerian box office since it premiered.
