Magic Carpet Studios Will Tour Animated Film
The studio will showcase The Passport of Mallam Ilia at international animation festivals this October.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Animation
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Magic Carpet Studios will take its animated film, The Passport of Mallam Ilia, on an international festival tour throughout October 2026. The Lagos-based studio will present the project to global audiences and industry professionals before the film's completion.
Why it matters
The tour offers a unique window for stakeholders to experience this animated adaptation of Cyprian Ekwensi’s work. By showcasing the film in its pre-release phase, the studio aims to build anticipation and engagement for its Northern Nigerian cultural narrative.
The tour includes a presentation at the 25th Anniversary edition of the Animae Caribe Festival. This event series marks the feature's first major international festival circuit appearances.
The players
Magic Carpet Studios
Based in Lagos, Nigeria, this production company specializes in animated features that highlight African storytelling and cultural narratives.
Cyprian Ekwensi
He was a celebrated Nigerian author and pharmacist whose literary works have served as a foundation for various adaptations of African cultural narratives.
The details
Produced by the Lagos-based Magic Carpet Studios, the film draws heavily on Northern Nigerian history and cultural heritage. The festival circuit appearances provide a platform for the team to share their progress on this adaptation of the Cyprian Ekwensi literary work.
Timeline
The project will be presented at the Sharjah Animation & Comics Conference from October 22-25, 2026.
The film will be showcased at the Animae Caribe Festival from October 28-31, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The move reflects the growing influence of the Global South within the competitive international animation market. By showcasing work at major global forums, studios are challenging traditional geographic dominance in feature film production.
International festival attendees and industry professionals will have the first opportunity to view the unfinished film during the October 2026 tour. The public will need to wait for a wider distribution announcement following the film's full completion.
The takeaway
The Passport of Mallam Ilia represents a significant effort to bring specific regional histories to the global animation screen. For industry observers, this tour demonstrates how studios are increasingly using festival circuits to secure visibility before a project is finished.
Further reading
Explore more projects in the global Animation sector.
More information
Learn more about the studio's upcoming projects on the Magic Carpet Studios website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pulse Nigeria.
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