Adapted from a stage play, the historical fantasy will premiere May 17 as part of Nigeria’s growing global cinema presence.
Benin-set fantasy film “Osamede” heads to Cannes Film Market
BY Fareedat Taofeeq
April 30, 2025
10:18 am
“Osamede”, a Nigerian historical fantasy set during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Empire, will premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Market on May 17.
The screening, scheduled for Pavillon Afriques, places the film among a growing number of Nigerian titles making waves on the global stage.
Directed by James Omokwe and executive produced by Lilian Olubi, “Osamede” follows an orphaned girl who discovers her connection to a sacred object ; the Aruosa stone, believed to hold divine powers from Benin mythology. As colonial forces threaten her homeland, she becomes the unlikely protector of a legacy that predates the empire.
The film, starring Ivie Okujaye Egboh in the lead role, is rooted in real historical events but leans into fantasy through elements of mythology, magic, and resistance. It also features Lexan Aisosa Peters, William Benson, Tosin Adeyemi, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, and Alexander Bud.
Originally staged as a live theatre production under Olubi’s Gold Lilies Productions, “Osamede” sold out 12 performances before being developed into a feature film. Its adaptation from stage to screen draws comparisons with Broadway-to-film successes, offering a tested narrative now reimagined for international audiences.
“With “Osamede”, we’re not just retelling history. We’re showing what it looks like when African mythology takes centre stage in global fantasy cinema,” said Omokwe, known for “Ajoche”, “Riona”, and “Cheta’m”.
The film’s premiere comes in the same year that “My Father’s Shadow” became the first Nigerian film selected for Cannes’ Official Selection, signalling increased visibility for Nigerian filmmakers at the festival. Olubi will also speak on a Cannes panel titled “Beyond Budgets: Innovative Funding for Filmmakers.”
Shot on location in Benin City, the production combines cultural detail with visual effects to create an immersive period world. The team behind “Osamede” sees the film as part of a wider movement to tell African stories with commercial and cultural impact.
“We’ve seen what fantasy can do for cultural visibility. This time, we’re doing it on our terms,” said Olubi.