DEAR AJAYI

( 2026 )

Official Selection Out of Competition |

Nigeria

Germany

Yoruba, English, Igbo, French |

120 min

About the film

In 1990s Nigeria, two estranged sisters forced to live under the same roof while caring for their paralysed mother navigate grief, ambition, love, and the fragile bonds of family. The film premiered at Venice Days and won the Bisato d’Oro Award for Best Cast and Performances alongside the CICT-UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Prize.

Director

Damilola Orimogunje

Damilola Orimogunje is a Nigerian director focused on the quiet emotional realities of ordinary individuals, examining narratives centred on family, memory, faith, romance, and optimism. His first directorial feature film, For Maria Ebun Pataki (2020), debuted at Film Africa London and received the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. He also produced All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White (2023), which premiered at the Berlinale and earned the Teddy Award for Best Feature. Dear Ajayi is his second feature film.

Producer

Damilola Orimogunje, Ajah Enene-Orimogunje, Bose Oshin, Zorana Mušikić, May Odeh, Joshua Alabi

Production Company

Screenplay

Damilola Orimogunje

Cinematography

KC Obiajulu

Editing

Olalekan Afolabi

Sound

Kolade Morakinyo

Cast

Bimbo Akintola, Tosin Adeyemi, Lanre Hassan, William Benson, Antar Laniyan, Uzoamaka Power, Michelle Dede, Chioma Omeruah “Chigul”

Contacts

International Sales: Luminalia, Nigeria,

Producer

Damilola Orimogunje, Ajah Enene-Orimogunje, Bose Oshin, Zorana Mušikić, May Odeh, Joshua Alabi

Production Company

Screenplay

Damilola Orimogunje

Cinematography

KC Obiajulu

Editing

Olalekan Afolabi

Sound

Kolade Morakinyo

Cast

Bimbo Akintola, Tosin Adeyemi, Lanre Hassan, William Benson, Antar Laniyan, Uzoamaka Power, Michelle Dede, Chioma Omeruah “Chigul”

Contacts

International Sales: Luminalia, Nigeria,

More About Film

In 1990s southwestern Nigeria, sisters Ade and Titi Ajayi navigate contrasting lives under their late father’s roof while caring for their paralyzed mother. Ade works as a devout Christian and main provider, while Titi pursues singing with an independent spirit. Long-standing tensions emerge, testing family bonds. Meanwhile, Ade’s husband, Michael, moves to Lagos to sell his paintings and improve his finances. Directed, written, and produced by Damilola Orimogunje, the film made history as the first Nigerian film selected for competition at Venice Days, winning the Bisato d’Oro Award for Best Cast and Performances alongside the CICT-UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Prize.

Producer

Damilola Orimogunje, Ajah Enene-Orimogunje, Bose Oshin, Zorana Mušikić, May Odeh, Joshua Alabi

Screenplay

Damilola Orimogunje

Cinematography

KC Obiajulu

Editing

Olalekan Afolabi

Sound

Kolade Morakinyo

Cast

Bimbo Akintola, Tosin Adeyemi, Lanre Hassan, William Benson, Antar Laniyan, Uzoamaka Power, Michelle Dede, Chioma Omeruah “Chigul”

Contact

International Sales: Luminalia, Nigeria,

More About Film

In 1990s southwestern Nigeria, sisters Ade and Titi Ajayi navigate contrasting lives under their late father's roof while caring for their paralyzed mother. Ade works as a devout Christian and main provider, while Titi pursues singing with an independent spirit. Long-standing tensions emerge, testing family bonds. Meanwhile, Ade's husband, Michael, moves to Lagos to sell his paintings and improve his finances. Directed, written, and produced by Damilola Orimogunje, the film made history as the first Nigerian film selected for competition at Venice Days, winning the Bisato d’Oro Award for Best Cast and Performances alongside the CICT-UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Prize.