In the newest festival news coming out from Nigeria, Cheta Chukwu’s Strawberry Chinny, a romcom starring Chimezie Imo and Genoveva Umeh has been selected for Essence Film Festival 2024, set to take place in New Orleans from July 4th to July 7th.
The announcement was confirmed with the release of official posters and a trailer. The trailer introduces us to the amusing but awkward living situation of best friends (played by Chimezie Imo and Genoveva Umeh) who find themselves in a living arrangement after one of them, dubbed as an irrational heartbroken makeup artist per press release, is dumped by her boyfriend.
Directed by Cheta Chukwu (known for Payday) and produced by Kele, Ngozi Okafor, and Chimezie Imo, Strawberry Chinny also stars Modola Osifuwa and Obehi Aburime.
“The heart of Strawberry Chinny lies in its relatability. We aimed to create characters that feel like old friends, inviting the audience to laugh, cry, and reflect on their own journey,” shares director Cheta Chukwu in a statement.
Chimezie Imo, making his producing debut with Strawberry Chinny, adds, “To have our debut film selected at the Essence Film Festival feels like a step in the right direction for my company, Vox Cinematic Films.”
Chimezie Imo and Genoveva Umeh most recently appeared as an on-screen couple in Prime Video’s Breath of Life.
The Essence Film Festival is renowned for showcasing exceptional projects by Black storytellers across the African diaspora.
In 2023, Toyosi Etim-Effiong led some Nigerian actors and filmmakers to the Essence Film Festival, as the festival celebrated a Nigeria Day event to celebrate films out of Nollywood.
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