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A bold new chapter in Nollywood’s cinematic evolution will unfold at the 2025 Cannes Film Market with the premiere of Osamede, a fantasy epic set against the backdrop of the 1897 British invasion of Benin. Slated to screen on May 17 at Pavillon Afriques, the film blends historical drama with mythology to explore resistance, identity, and legacy through a uniquely African lens.
Helmed by acclaimed filmmaker James Omokwe, Osamede tells the story of a young orphan in ancient Benin who uncovers supernatural powers and rises to defend her homeland. The plot orbits the mystical Aruosa stone, anchoring the narrative in authentic Benin cosmology while creatively reimagining events of the colonial era.
Starring Ivie Okujaye Egboh alongside Tosin Adeyemi and Nollywood icon Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, the film stands out not just for its stellar cast, but for its intricate attention to period detail from costume design to spiritual symbolism bringing the Benin Kingdom’s cultural depth vividly to life.
The project marks a significant milestone for producer Lilian Olubi, whose Gold Lilies Productions first staged Osamede as a theatrical play. “We’re showcasing that our history, when told with cinematic scale and care, can resonate globally,” she said.
Omokwe, known for his work on Ajoche and Itura, sees Osamede as Nollywood’s answer to international hits like Black Panther, but with deeply rooted African storytelling. “We’re not borrowing from Western lore we’re mining our own.”
Beyond its artistic vision, Osamede also aims to reshape funding models in Nollywood. Olubi will speak on a Cannes panel about innovative financing, using the film as a case study in merging commercial viability with cultural authenticity.
With its Cannes debut, Osamede signals a thrilling leap for Nigerian cinema into global genre storytelling.
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