EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Productions has released the first-look images from Daddy Bear as the family drama moves through post-production ahead of planned community screenings in Abuja and Lagos beginning across November and December.
The update follows the completion of principal photography on the project, which What Kept Me Up previously reported is being developed by filmmakers Korede Azeez, Hajarat Alli and Fulfilment “Fuchi” Nwaturuocha through the Entertainment and Media Hubs Program.
Shot by Fadamana Okwong, Daddy Bear follows Fahd, a father raising his ten-year-old daughter Aisha and a newborn following the death of their mother. Set within a multicultural Muslim household in Abuja, the film explores fatherhood, grief and caregiving, with its creators describing its central idea as a celebration of “fathers who try.”
Jammal Ibrahim, known for The Delivery Boy, The Milkmaid and Crime and Justice Lagos, leads the cast as Fahd. Ibrahim recently made his directorial debut with The Almajiri, released on Prime Video in August through Native Filmworks’ First Features programme.
He is joined in Daddy Bear by Dera Osadebe as Aisha, Ummi Baba-Ahmed as Aunty Kike, Ame Aiyejina as Zahra and Ijapari Ben-Hirki as Khadijah.
Behind the camera, Okwong brings credits including Taiwo Egunjobi’s A Green Fever, The Boy Who Gave as well as Agbara Nla: The Return. The film is edited by Adio Solanke (Evi, Ile Owo and Alahun: The Weaver) while Jonathan Ainwonkhai, composer on the AFRIFF award-winning To Adaego With Love, provides the original score.
The first-look release also offers a clearer picture of how the filmmakers plan to bring Daddy Bear to audiences. The team is beginning with community screenings in Abuja and Lagos across November and December, with specific venues and dates yet to be announced.
“For us, it is about exploring different ways independent films can reach people,” the team told What Kept Me Up. “We want people to be able to experience Daddy Bear not just in cinemas, but also in their own communities and in spaces where they feel comfortable.”
The filmmakers said the approach reflects the collaborative process behind the project itself. “The film itself was made possible by a community of creative collaborators and partners, so it feels natural to extend that same spirit to how we take the film to audiences.”
Beyond the initial screenings, the team hopes to partner with community groups, schools, NGOs and other organisations, while also exploring festival, streaming and television opportunities.
“We want Daddy Bear to travel as far as its story can take it,” the filmmakers said. “Ultimately, we want to take Daddy Bear to the people and give the film the opportunity to reach as many lives as possible.”
Daddy Bear is directed by Hajarat Alli and Korede Azeez, with Azeez and Fulfilment “Fuchi” Nwaturuocha producing.
The project is supported through the Entertainment and Media Hubs Program, powered by CcHUB Creative Economy Practice in partnership with Africa No Filter.
The film also marks another collaboration between Azeez and Nwaturuocha, who previously worked together on With Difficulty Comes Ease. Azeez’s other directing credits include the Netflix-UNESCO short Halima’s Choice and It Blooms in June.
With post-production nearing completion, the film’s first public screenings are expected to begin in November, before continuing into December and expanding to additional screenings and other distribution opportunities.
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