“The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos,” a Nigerian film based on real-life events, will make its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), scheduled to run from Sept. 5-15, 2024.
The film will be featured in the festival’s Centerpiece section, alongside 43 other international selections.
Set in a Lagos fishing community, the story follows a young mother from the slums who discovers blood money intended to displace her community. She faces a moral dilemma between using the money and saving her people from forced relocation.
Temiloluwa Ami-Williams and Debo Adedayo, known as Mr. Macaroni, are confirmed cast members.
The Agbajowo Collective, a group of emerging and established filmmakers from Lagos’ informal settlements, produced the film. The collective includes James Tayler, Okechukwu Samuel, Matthew Cerf, Edukpo Tina, Bisola Akinmuyiwa, A.S Elijah, and Ogungbamila Temitope.
Co-producers include Slum Dwellers International, Justice and Empowerment Initiatives Nigeria, and Raconteur Productions.
Notably, The Durban FilmMart, Berlinale World Cinema Fund, and Sundance Institute provided financing for this film.
Rushlake Media acquired the international sales rights earlier this year.