Eyimofe selected for New York ND/NF fest

Nigerian feature film Eyimofe (This is My Desire) has been selected for the 50th anniversary edition of the New Directors/New Films festival in New York.

The festival will take place virtually from April 28 to May 8 and celebrates filmmakers who represent the present and anticipate the future of cinema.

Eyimofe was made by GDN Studios, directed by twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri and produced by Melissa Adeyemo. It follows a factory technician, played by Jude Akuwudike, and a hairdresser (Temi Ami-Williams) on their quest for what they believe will be a better life abroad.

Guardian Nigeria recently reported that Eyimofe is among 27 features and 11 shorts shown to audiences in the MoMA and FLC virtual cinemas and to New Yorkers at the Film at Lincoln Center. Eyimofe also won the New Directors Jury Prize at the San Francisco Film Festival (SFFILM).

In a statement to Guardian Nigeria, the SFFILM jury noted: “This was a quick and unanimous decision for our jury. We agreed that from the very first shot we knew this was a very special film. We couldn’t believe this was a debut feature, given the maturity of its patient style, its gorgeous cinematography, the uniform strength of its performances.

“We found Eyimofe a deeply moving, richly textured portrait of life in Lagos, Nigeria, and hope this prize gives the film a greater chance to be seen by audiences around the world. Congratulations to Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri, and thank you for sharing this film with us and the world.”

Eyimofe premiered recently in Lagos and is set for general cinema release from April 23.

Since its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival last year, Eyimofe has been selected for events including Indie Lisboa International Film Festival in Portugal, BFI London Film Festival in the UK and Mostra Sao Paolo International Film Festival in Brazil.

tagged in: Eyimofe, GDN Studios, Melissa Adeyemo, San Francisco Film Festival, This is My Desire