Olawunmi Hassan’s ‘Ìrún Dídì’ Vies for Sony Future Filmmaker Award

Nigerian filmmaker Olawunmi Hassan’s non-fiction documentary “Ìrún Dídì” has been officially shortlisted for the prestigious Sony Future Filmmaker Awards.

The announcement places Hassan’s work among the top contenders in the non-fiction category, which celebrates factual content and narrative excellence.

“Ìrún Dídì,” which translates to “hair plaiting” in English, showcases the practice as more than just styling hair. The documentary explores how each strand transforms into beauty and connects hair plaiting with self-love, empowerment, and the preservation of cultural heritage passed down through generations.

Hassan’s ability to capture the essence of hair plaiting in a visually stunning way has earned the film its place on the prestigious shortlist. The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards received over 8,400 submissions from 30 international filmmakers, highlighting the quality of Hassan’s documentary.

The non-fiction category, dedicated to films that are predominantly factual in content, has highlighted “Ìrún Dídì” as a standout piece among the top contenders.

As part of the recognition, the shortlisted filmmakers, including Hassan, will attend an exclusive, comprehensive workshop at Sony Pictures Studio in Los Angeles and will be flown to the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, to attend a black-tie ceremony.

The winners will be announced on May 30, 2024, during an awards ceremony at the Sony Pictures studio.

The trailer for “Ìrún Dídì” was released on July 17, 2023, watch the trailer for here.