Nollywood Icons Sola Sobowale, Tola Odunsi & Stan Nze Set to Grace Historic GUBA Awards in Barbados.
- Sahndra Fon Dufe
- Oct 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 4
For the first time in its 16-year history, the prestigious GUBA Awards is expanding into the Caribbean, bringing three of Nollywood's most dynamic talents to Barbados for an exclusive world premiere screening of their highly anticipated feature film, 19.
Sola Sobowale (King of Boys, Netflix), Stan Nze (Rattlesnake, Netflix) and Tola Odunsi (Director, The Men’s Club, Prime Video will headline the GUBA Awards Barbados 2025, taking place November 10-12, 2025, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord's Castle Resort.
The three filmmakers will present the first public screening of 19, described as a gripping exploration of ambition, crime, and modern identity. While producers are keeping plot details under wraps, the film also features Nollywood leading talent including Deyemi Okanlawon, Bisola Aiyeola and Boma Akpore among others. The exclusive premiere marks a significant moment for Afro-Caribbean film collaboration and reinforces Nigeria's growing footprint in the global creative economy.
GUBA which stands for Grow, Unite, Build Africa is an international platform founded in 2009 by Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE to celebrate excellence within the African diaspora and promote stronger socio-economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world. Over the years, GUBA has evolved from a UK-based awards ceremony into a global movement for Pan-African collaboration, spotlighting individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions in business, culture, community development, and innovation.
This year's Barbados edition carries the theme "Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Build. Connect. Renew," symbolizing a profound reconnection of shared heritage, economic collaboration, and cultural renaissance across the Atlantic.
The film screening will take place at the prestigious Frank Collymore Hall in Bridgetown, St. Michael's Row, Barbados. Sobowale, Odunsi, and Nze will headline the intimate screening with a special talk-back discussion hosted by Ghanaian actress and TV show host Nana Ama McBrown, highlighting Nollywood's global storytelling power and its expanding collaboration with the Caribbean creative and socio-economic scene.
According to Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, Founder and President of GUBA Enterprise, the event represents far more than red-carpet splendor:
“Nigerians have not only dominated Africa’s creative landscape but are also defining global culture. The Caribbean connection offers a new horizon, one that deepens our collective strength, creativity and prosperity.”
The summit is supported by the Office of the Prime Minister of Barbados and draws leaders and changemakers from Africa's largest economy, the 15-nation CARICOM region, and diaspora communities across the Americas. The Barbados government is partnering through leading agencies including Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Invest Barbados, the Chamber of Commerce, and the National Cultural Foundation to build long-term Afro-Caribbean collaboration.
To address travel challenges between the regions, GUBA has arranged a direct charter flight connecting Lagos, Accra, and Barbados, eliminating the need for detours through Europe or North America. Limited spaces remain, with Nigerian entrepreneurs, creatives, and executives securing spots rapidly.
The three-day event runs alongside a Trade and Investment Summit, opening avenues for trade agreements, co-production deals, and investment opportunities across key sectors including film, fashion, agriculture, fintech, and renewable energy.
Event Details:
Dates: November 10-12, 2025 (Week-long programming: November 9-13)
Location: Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord's Castle Resort & Frank Collymore Hall, Bridgetown
Theme: "Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Build. Connect. Renew."
For more information, visit www.gubaawards.com
Contact SBB Media for media collaboration* info@sbbmedia.com
History in the making.
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