Nigerian filmmaker Ifeoma Chukwuogo has returned to the director’s chair with two new projects, Dear Dija and By Eight.
With Dear Dija, written by Nduka Ebube Dike from a story by Eleanya Eke and Nduka Dike, Chukwuogo directs a story about two teenagers (Praise Adejo and Efosa Idahosa) living in neighbouring apartments who develop affection for one another as they talk over balcony railings and share moments that blur the line between friendship and something deeper. Produced by Idunoba Entertainment (An Enugu Homecoming), the romance short focuses on small interactions from balconies and how quickly young emotions can grow into demands for action.
Chukwuogo is also named as the director of Play Network’s By Eight, another short that continues her interest in personal turning points. The upcoming short features a screenplay written by Omolara Lamikanra (Skeleton Coast) and stars Blessing Uzero (Kill Boro), Chimka Godfrey and Amelia Omomen Ohiowele. While release details about the project remain limited publicly, it extends her return to compact, character-driven storytelling after working on a feature scale.
Before her debut feature, Chukwuogo directed the coming-of-age short Bariga Sugar, which screened at international festivals including Film Africa in London, where it won the 2018 Baobab Award for Best Short Film. She also worked in television, serving as a director on Diiche, one of the early Nigerian originals on Showmax. That foundation in shorts and series paved the way for her debut feature, Phoenix Fury, which premiered at the Africa International Film Festival in 2024 and won Best Film and Best Director.
Dear Dija is currently streaming on YouTube.
By Eight remains without release details.
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