In a historic moment for West African cinema on the global stage, Nigerian filmmaker Damilola Orimogunje’s sophomore feature film, Dear Ajayi, has officially been selected for the 23rd edition of Giornate degli Autori (Venice Days). Operating as an independent, prestigious parallel section alongside the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, running from September 2 to September 12, 2026, the selection marks the first time in history that a Nigerian production has entered the official Giornate degli Autori competition.
Adding to the momentum, international sales agent Luminalia has boarded world sales for the title, as reported by ScreenDaily, while FilmOne Entertainment is set to handle West African theatrical distribution. The selection places Nigerian cinema directly inside one of Europe’s most influential festival spaces, where Dear Ajayi will compete for the GdA Director’s Award, the People’s Choice Award, and the Europa Cinemas Label.
Set against the cultural and political backdrop of southwestern Nigeria during the 1990s, Dear Ajayi tells an intimate, emotionally charged story centered on two estranged sisters, Ade and Titi Ajayi. Played by powerhouse performers Tosin Adeyemi (House of Gaa) and Bimbo Akintola (To Kill a Monkey), the sisters’ wildly contrasting lives collide when they are forced to return under the same roof to care for their paralyzed mother. One sister is a devout, dutiful Christian, while the other is a rebellious aspiring singer with an independent spirit.
As old wounds reopen, the sisters must navigate unresolved grief, religious devotion, personal ambition, and romantic conflicts. The multilingual script, written by Orimogunje in English, Yoruba, French, and Igbo, delves deep into familial memory and spiritual tension. The film follows Orimogunje’s critically acclaimed debut For Maria Ebun Pataki, extending his thematic exploration of mental health, maternal struggles, and family dynamics.
“It was a good match because we were in the process of expanding our lineup with more Sub-Saharan African films,” noted Luminalia founder Tommaso Priante. “It’s a very accessible, joyful, and deeply resonant film that speaks across borders.”
The film boasts a high-profile ensemble cast featuring veteran actors Lanre Hassan, William Benson, Antar Laniyan, Uzoamaka Power, Michelle Dede, Chioma “Chigul” Omeruah, Kalu Ikeagwu, Tope Tedela, Baaj Adebule, and Idowu Philips, while introducing fresh talents Jamiu Tijani and Matilda Jesuye Obadipe. Re Olunuga composed the film’s original score.
Produced by 2o9ine Films alongside Mayana Films, Depth & Optics Productions, and Zynox Productions, Dear Ajayi stands as a prominent Nigeria-Germany co-production. The project’s journey to Venice was fortified by high-level international backing, receiving development and post-production grants from the Hubert Bals Fund+ Europe.
Additionally, the project developed through prestigious global film labs, including the World Cinema Fund’s WCF-ACP Audience Strategy programme, the Ouaga Film Lab in Burkina Faso, Sud Écriture, and the Nouveau Marché at Montreal’s Festival du Nouveau Cinéma.
Curated from over 1,036 submissions across 114 countries, this year’s lineup, covered extensively in Deadline, highlights 10 competition titles, one closing film out of competition, and five special events. The 2026 competition features a heavy female-focused tilt, presided over by an all-female jury led by acclaimed Spanish director Carla Simón (Alcarràs), Italian director Sara Fgaier, and Beirut-based programmer Hania Mroué.
The 10 competition titles fighting for the top prize alongside Dear Ajayi include:
My Notes on Mars (Opening Film): Sci-fi romance by Hungarian director Lili Horvát (Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time), starring Mackenzie Davis and Rupert Friend.
A Woman Today (Une femme aujourd’hui): A French-Italian drama by veteran director Robert Guédiguian.
Salon De Belleza: The directorial debut of Mexican actress Nathalia Acevedo, adapting Mario Bellatin’s novel.
Agata the Writer: Kuba Dorabialski’s Australian feature starring Mia Wasikowska.
Sadness Sometimes, Other Times Revolt (dir. Maria Aparicio)
Balcanica (dir. Nicola Sorcinelli)
Camouflage (dir. Mykyta Gibalenko)
I Plant My Hand in the Garden (dirs. Boris Hadžija, Hoda Taheri)
Les Indes (dirs. Pauline Julier, Nicolas Chapoulier)
With world sales secured and a prime festival slot on the Lido, Dear Ajayi promises to be one of the premier African cinema showcases of 2026.