To apply for accreditation for “3 Days in Cannes”, you must:
be aged between 18 and 28
be passionate about film
NEXT STEPS
Applications must be submitted online via the accreditation portal (no applications will be processed by telephone).
Documents to be provided with the application form
ID document (both sides) or passport
ID photo
A love letter to cinema (if you already took part in the Program, please provide a letter different from the previous year telling us about your experience)
Once the accreditation request has been accepted, you will be sent an email (no answer will be given by phone).
Named badges with a photo ID and the programme of dedicated sessions can be collected from the Accreditation Office of the Palais des Festivals.
To fill or consult your application, please use the online portal
On Different Grounds is a Nollywood-Bollywood romantic comedy directed by Mildred Okwo.
The exciting film follows a divorced, once-celebrated Lagos billionaire couple who are forced to reunite for their daughter's cross-cultural wedding, which brings long-buried emotions, family tensions, and a collision of two distinct cultures.
Key Details
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Director: Mildred Okwo
Genres: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Story:
A cross-cultural wedding brings two exes and their families together, resulting in resurfaced feelings, cultural clashes, and hilarious family drama.
Main Cast & Characters The ensemble cast features an impressive blend of Nollywood and international stars, including: Jennifer Eliogu and Bob Manuel Udokwu as the divorced parents of the bride. Uche Montana as the bride. Nkem Owoh, Uche Jombo, and Ebele Okaro. Vineet Raina as the groom (Rajesh Roshan). Bamike "Bam Bam" Olawunmi, Ifeanyi Kalu, and Abena Akuaba.
President Tinubu Addresses The Nation On Democracy Day 2026 (Video & Full Text)
TEXT OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU’S DEMOCRACY DAY ADDRESS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026
Fellow Nigerians
Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.
To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.
Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.
June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.
June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.
The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.
Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.
Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.
By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.
To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.
Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.
Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.
We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.
Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.
Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.
Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.
Barrister Ayoka Lawani Tunde Fagbenle Oladele Alake Olatunji Bello Louis Odion Segun Babatope Sam Omatseye Sir Ademola Osinubi Bola Bolawole Lade Bonuola Femi Kusa Debo Adeniran Chief Ayo Opadokun Chief Ralph Obiora Ose Osayande Barrister Osa Director Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous) Dr Osagie Obayuwana Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin Barrister Titus Mann Joe Igbokwe Richard Akinnola Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous) George Mbah Dr Niran Malaolu Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd) Femi Aborisade Jenkins Alumona Gbemiga Ogunleye Muyiwa Adekeye Babajide Kolade-Otitoju Ike Okonta
We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle: Major General MA Garba Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa Col Umar Farouk Ahmed; Col Sambo Dasuki; Col Lawan Gwadabe; Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong Col Musa Shehu; Major General Chris Eze; Major General Harris Dzarma; Col Isa Jibrin; Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin; Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom) Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus Col J Okai; Col Emmanuel Ndubueze; Lt Col Yakubu Muazu Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.
The honours list will be released in the next few days.
Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.
Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.
May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.
Happy Democracy Day.
BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria
June 12 is celebrated annually in Nigeria as Democracy Day, a national public holiday honoring the country's return to civilian governance and the legacy of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The day honors the historic election widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the nation's history, which was won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. Moving the holiday from May 29 to June 12 in 2018 served to immortalize Abiola and the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists who fought for Nigeria's current democratic republic.
For a breakdown of the history and significance of Democracy Day in Nigeria:
June 12 Should Be A Day Of Sober Reflection About Democracy
2026 Celebrations The Federal Government of Nigeria declared June 12 a nationwide public holiday. Official ceremonies typically feature a presidential address and various civic events aimed at promoting national unity, reflection, and accountability.
I am delighted to share that ‘Hope Is a Word’, a documentary feature film on the poets of the Niger Delta, will have its World Premiere at the International First Feature Competition of Sheffield DocFest, UK, on 11th June 2026.
The film tells a powerful story of resistance through self-expression. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, where decades of oil extraction have devastated communities and the environment, poet and activist Nnimmo Bassey inspires and mentors a new generation of writers to find their voices and speak truth through poetry.
This premiere is particularly meaningful because the project was first presented and nurtured at iREP Doc fest 2025 where its vision immediately connected with our audiences and industry stakeholders. It is a wonderful reminder of the important role our community continues to play in supporting documentary storytelling from Africa.
If you are around Sheffield or can make the trip, please come and celebrate this important milestone with us.
-Femi Odugbemi, The CEO of Zuri24media
"Hope Is a Word" is a documentary feature film directed by Maria Galliani Dyrvik.
The film focuses on the Niger Delta, where decades of oil spills and gas flaring have devastated communities. It follows renowned poet and activist Nnimmo Bassey as he gathers a new generation of voices—including his son Ukpono and a young woman named Barinedum—to use poetry as a weapon for environmental change and healing.
Production: Produced by Smau Media in collaboration with Ginko Film and Zuri24 Media, with support from the Norwegian Film Institute.
Director: Maria Galliani Dyrvik Production Companies: Smau Media AS, Ginko Film, and Zuri24media (Lagos) Protagonist: Nnimmo Bassey Run Time: 82 minutes
Key Themes: Climate justice, environmental activism, the Niger Delta oil spills, and resistance through self-expression"
In 2016, I received an SOS call from the Republic of Niger. Success Iyoha, one of the secondary school students who knows me and had my phone number had been lured and trafficked with other girls across the borders and ended up in Libya.
For 90 days I tracked the trail from every distress phone call she made to rescue her.
IOM, UN Mission in Africa, UNICEF Child Protection office and Sam Prianty, a BBC investigative reporter on cases of human trafficking in Nigeria joined me to track the trails until we located the place the human trafficking gang was holding several Nigerian girls and women captives to either be sold or taken across the dangerous Mediterranean Sea to Spain or Italy to be used as sex slaves.
I paid money, the exact amount of the price for buying each captive and Success Iyoha was freed. She returned to her parents and family in Benin, Edo State. She suffered stigma and trauma for her horrifying ordeals in captivity in Libya where she lost her virginity as she was raped, got pregnant and aborted it.
I spent more than N500, 000 for her rehabilitation.
The kidnapped school children and teachers in Oyo State of Nigeria can be rescued before it is too late.
We must stop the wickedness of playing bloody politics with the innocent lives of our poor and powerless people.
The government has abandoned the rescue of the remaining Chibok school girls who were kidnapped in 2014. 11 of them have died.
If the children of the Governor of Oyo State and the grand children of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were among the kidnapped school children, they would have been rescued without delay.
Listen to the soundtrack on https://www.instagram.com/p/DZHt1SEiGb3/?igsh=MWlqdnY1YXRqaHFwOQ==
