Japa (stylized as Japa!) will officially mark Isioma Osaje’s feature directorial debut. The film was co-produced by Inkblot Studios and 1Pod Pictures, now heading to Prime Video on March 8.
Japa! was once described as a Sci-fi comedy. The trailer teases a plot that might follow the Groundhog Day trope in which a character is caught in a time loop, left to repeat a given day or time over and over, until something changes.
Starring Jidekene Achufusi, Adesua Etomi Wellington, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Seun Ajayi, Layi Wasabi & Mofe Duncan, Japa!, described as a romcom, follows the story of Mezu (played by Achufusi), a disillusioned teacher, whose attempts to relocate from Nigeria to the United States in search of greener pastures are obstructed by forces beyond his comprehension.
Isioma Osaje, known mostly as a producer, began her foray into directing with her short film 840 Days starring Lota Chukwu and Blossom Chukwujekwu in 2022. Some of Osaje’s producing credits include New Money series, The Set Up series, Far From Home, Up North and Day of Destiny.
Osaje, who began her career in talent management and has served as an assistant director outside her producing roles, is the co-founder of 1Pod Pictures (behind MTV Shuga Naija 2023) who co-produced Japa! with Inkblot.
Shooting for Japa! wrapped in August 2023, a year when Osaje also sat in the director’s chair of Radio Voice, expected to star Richard Mofe Damijo, Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Nse Ikpe Etim. Release details of Radio Voice (a likely sophomore for the filmmaker) should be expected at a later date.
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