Damilola Orimogunje’s Dear Ajayi begins a limited cinema release in Nigeria today, September 18, following its historic world premiere at the Giornate degli Autori parallel section during the 2026 Venice International Film Festival.
The film follows sisters Ade (Bimbo Akintola) and Titi Ajayi (Tosin Adeyemi), who live very different lives in 1990s southwestern Nigeria. When their ailing mother comes to live with them, old resentments resurface as they confront questions of family, faith, ambition and freedom.
Written by Orimogunje, other cast members include Lanre Hassan, William Benson, Antar Laniyan, Uzoamaka Power, Michelle Dede and Chioma Omeruah “Chigul”, with KC Obiajulu as cinematographer, and Ré Olunuga handling the music. Damilola Orimogunje, Ajah Enene-Orimogunje and Bose Oshin are credited as producers for the film.
At Venice, Dear Ajayi won the Giornate degli Autori Premio Enrico Fulchignoni and the CICT-UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Prize, with the latter awarded alongside the Fellini Medal.
The theatrical release is expected to expand wider from November 13, distributed by FilmOne.
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