Cannes Welcomes ‘Osamede’: A Must-See Premiere

It has been revealed that James Omokwe's award-winning Nigerian historical fantasy "Osamede" would be one of the films screened at the 2025 Cannes Film Market on May 17 at the Pavillon Afriques.

The film, which was directed by Omokwe and executive-produced by seasoned investment and finance professional Lilian Olubi, centers on an orphaned child in the colonial Benin Kingdom of 1897 who finds extraordinary abilities. Her goal is to free her people from British colonial rule by using the power of the ancient Aruosa stone.

"Nigeria has exported music and movies all over the world, but with 'Osamede,' we're transforming the way African historical narratives are told by bringing the mythology of the fabled Benin Empire to life with storytelling and production values that are reminiscent of Hollywood fantasy epics."

“Beyond Budgets: Innovative Funding for Filmmakers” is another statement from Olubi, who will also be speaking at the Cannes panel.

Ivie Okujaye Egboh, Lexan Aisosa Peters, William Benson, Tosin Adeyemi, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, and Alexander Bud play key roles in the film, which brings to life a story that fits into the expanding genre of African historical fantasy, which has been popularized by recent international hits like "The Woman King."

‘Osamede’ represents a unique stage-to-screen evolution, building on the theatrical production staged 12 times to sold-out audiences by Olubi’s Gold Lilies Productions. This adaptation approach gives the film a pre-tested narrative base akin to successful Broadway-to-screen adaptations.

Omokwe continues,

"Osamede is more than just an African fantasy movie. We're using the fantasy genre to reclaim our historical narrative with this movie.

African historical fiction based on real Benin Kingdom legend is what "Black Panther" done for Afrofuturism. Our method blends cinematic spectacle with real cultural components in ways that viewers have never seen before.

The movie's international premiere coincides with Nigeria's cinema industry's ongoing global expansion. The goal of Nigeria's "Screen Nigeria" campaign is to expand the nation's international cinematic presence, and this growth aligns with that goal.

Given that "My Father's Shadow" is the first Nigerian film to be shown in Cannes' Official Selection this year, the timing is especially noteworthy.

When taken as a whole, these films represent a turning point for Nigerian cinema, establishing a presence in the festival's main lineup as well as the movie marketplace.