SXSW London Festival to Spotlight Nigerian Short Films Among Star-Studded Lineup

The inaugural South by Southwest (SXSW) London festival, running from June 2–7, 2025, in Shoreditch, London, will feature a diverse array of Nigerian short films as part of its robust international screen program, alongside major music performances and tech innovation showcases.

Nigerian filmmakers will be prominently represented , with notable works such as Tomisin Adepeju’s poignant 15-minute drama “Journey Mercies,” which follows Bade on his final day at work as he prepares to return home. The experimental documentary “Fluid Lagos,” an 11-minute collaborative project by filmmakers Justine Unanka Chima, Kamnelechukwu Obasi, and seven other directors, explores the relationship between water, identity, and transition through the stories of a boatman, vessel, and passenger navigating Nigeria’s largest city. These short films also premiered at the 2024 S16 Film Festival.

Also making its world premiere is “Shoot the People,” a documentary directed by Andy Mundy-Castle featuring Oscar-nominated British-Nigerian photographer and activist Misan Harriman.

The festival’s short film selection includes Sanaa El Alaoui’s “Aicha,”Freddie Leyden’s “Farmers!?,” Rein Maychaelson’s uniquely conceptual “Sammi, Who Can Detach His Body Parts,” and several exceptional films.

The Eminem-produced documentary “Stans” will open the festival, making its world premiere on the first night. Amazon’s crime-comedy “Deep Cover,”starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed, and Sean Bean, will serve as the centerpiece film, while Mike Flanagan’s “The Life of Chuck,” starring Tom Hiddleston, has been selected as the closing film.

Other notable screenings include “Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf,” which profiles the prominent British trans activist; “The Institute,” starring Mary-Louise Parker and Ben Barnes; and “What It Feels Like for a Girl,” a coming-of-age series with a primarily transgender cast based on Paris Lees’ memoir.

The festival’s screen section will explore intersections between film, art, and music, with Grammy-winning artist and filmmaker Jenn Nkiru leading this segment and premiering her documentary “The Great North.”

On the music front, two-time Grammy-winning artist Tems will headline, performing  on June 5, 2025 at the Troxy, alongside acts like Wyclef Jean, Sasha Keable, Valiant, NAO, and Mabel.

The conference portion will feature workshops and sessions with speakers including Idris Elba, Munya Chawawa, and former Nigerian footballer John Mikel Obi.