Nigerian short films Hadu and God’s Wife, directed by Damilola Solesi and Dika Ofoma respectively, have been selected to screen at the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in the Netherlands.
Hadu, an animated short, recently screened at the Academy Award-qualifying CINANIMA – International Animated Film Festival in Portugal and has earned accolades including Best Animation Short at the 2024 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa.
God’s Wife had its Nigerian premiere at the S16 Festival, where Dika Ofoma was recognized with the Rising Star Award. Ofoma’s previous work has also been showcased at prominent festivals such as Film Lab Africa, Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur in Switzerland, and the Brazil African Film Festival, among others.
Earlier in the year, Ishaya Bako’s adaptation of Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s novel, I Do Not Come to You by Chance, executive produced by Genevieve Nnaji and Chinny Carter, was screened at the festival.
Hadu, selected in the educational programme category (an initiative aimed at introducing children and students to independent cinema), follows the story of Simi, a young girl who reconnects with her roots through her bond with her grandmother.
God’s Wife, selected in the short and mid-length category, tells us the story of a young widow facing a conflict between her faith and family traditions when her late husband’s brother makes an unexpected proposal.
IFFR, held annually in Rotterdam, is known for spotlighting independent and experimental films from around the world. The upcoming edition will take place from January 30 to February 9, 2025.
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