A Nigerian movie critic, Ayodeji Fatunla, is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest movie-watching marathon in a cinema.
The current record of 121 hours and 18 minutes, set by Suresh Joachim of Sri Lanka in 2015, has stood for nearly nine years.
Fatunla’s attempt, titled “160 Hours of Nonstop Movie Watching,” will take place at Lagos Theatre in Igando from Sunday, December 8, to Sunday, December 15, 2024. The event is sponsored by Combo Entertainment.
Speaking about his motivation, Fatunla said, “I know it takes a lot of commitment and determination to want to do this, but I really want to break the Guinness World Record for the longest hours of watching movies. I feel great because I am passionate about watching movies. As a movie critic, I also want to do something significant for myself, and I feel ready. I believe this will be a win.”
Fatunla plans to watch at least 80 films during the marathon and sees it as an opportunity to celebrate Nollywood and inspire Nigerians. He explained that his passion for filmmaking and his role as a Director of Photography (DOP) are part of his motivation.
He added, “The magic involved in film production—from pre-production to post-production—gives me so much joy. I’m eager to explore how filmmakers like Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele bring their visions to life. Foreign directors’ processes also fascinate me. These seven days will give me a chance to understand the depth of this magic. I’m trying to learn something.”
Guinness World Records stated that Suresh Joachim achieved his record as part of a competition involving 10 contestants in a pop-up cinema in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event was open to the public, with other attendees witnessing parts of the marathon.
