Melon House Production has announced its first feature film, Adanne, a family drama set to begin production in November 2025. Written and produced by Gold Gerry (Boo’d Up) and directed by Orobosa Ikponmwen, the film looks into the bonds between mothers and daughters, the pressure of family expectations, and the quiet stories that echo through generations of women.
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Adanne follows three generations of Igbo women as they navigate love, duty, and the ties that bind them. At the centre is Adanne, a young woman torn between her creative ambitions and the rigid traditions she’s expected to uphold. Her fight to define her identity becomes a journey toward healing and reclaiming the legacy of her lineage.
Onyinye Odokoro, Kelvinmary Ndukwe, and Mmesomachi Chilaka lead the cast of the English and Igbo-language drama.
Playing the titular role is Mmesomachi Chilaka, a young actor and dancer whose performance in Adanne marks her first major screen appearance.
Odokoro, who plays Ijeoma, has steadily built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most exciting talents. She most recently starred in Showmax’s original series Princess on a Hill and the Netflix series Baby Farm.
Kelvinmary Ndukwe, who plays Daniel, brings his experience as both actor and director to the film. He has earned praise in theatre circles for directing Sisi Pelebe in collaboration with the British Council and the Lagos Theatre Festival, as well as writing and directing stage plays like Omugwo and Nkem, which explore themes of family, womanhood, and tradition.
“Society thrives on the culture of silence, and silence is what generational cycles need to thrive,” said director Orobosa in a statement. “Our mission is simple — break the silence and the wheel, then restart it with something as old as time: understanding and love that meet in the middle.”
Writer-producer Gold Gerry described Adanne as both intimate and far-reaching. “We wanted to create a film that feels personal and epic at the same time,” she said.
Director Orobosa Ikponmwen, whose previous projects include Corona Belly and The Delectable Azeezah Sama, continues to use her work to explore identity, belonging, and the inner lives of women. Ikponmwen’s directorial work also includes the yet-to-be-released Half of Me, produced by Jade Osiberu’s Greoh Studios.
With Lotanna Nwose also credited as producer, Melon House Production describes itself as an independent studio dedicated to telling human-centred stories that reflect real experiences.
With Adanne, Melon House aims for the global festival circuit.
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