Nigerian filmmaker Chinazaekpere Chukwu will world premiere her feature directorial debut, "Her Daughters' Mother," at Film Africa 2026 in London. The film screens on October 28 at the newly launched EbonyLife Place, as part of a festival running from October 23 to November 1.
"Her Daughters' Mother" is a 110-minute drama set in Benin, shot in early 2026 in English, Pidgin, Urhobo and Bini. The story follows Ejiro, a 33-year-old widow married off at 16, who returns home with two daughters and a determination to secure their future. She enters a second marriage with Osato, a lorry driver who promises security and education for her girls in exchange for a male heir. When she struggles to meet his demands, his entitlement turns her life into a nightmare. Her eldest daughter, Ejaita, is a 16-year-old who dreams of becoming a doctor and chafes against her mother's overprotectiveness, unaware of the sacrifices being made on her behalf.
Ejovwoke Obas Olikuntuyi leads the cast as Ejiro, with Philip Asaya as Osato and Osas Okonyon as Ejaita. Najite Dede and Adeoluwa Akintoba round out the cast. Chukwu co-wrote the screenplay with Sunday Melvin Iwinosa, from a story by Efosa Ogbomo, who also serves as executive producer. Yinka Adegoke handled the cinematography, and Joshua Tsotso worked as story consultant and editor. The film was produced by One Child Grace Studio, in association with C.A.N.O Productions, Uncut Gem Productions and Nka Pictures.
Speaking on the film's themes, Chukwu said it "reaches deep into the rights of women, how their lives are decided for them until the end." Chukwu trained at EbonyLife Creative Academy, where she won the Best Director award for her short film "A Psalm for Abigail." Her short "Ti e Nbo," a personal conflict drama, had its world premiere in the Shorts category at AFRIFF in 2023.
"Her Daughters' Mother" joins a strong Nigerian lineup at this year's Film Africa, alongside feature films "Dear Ajayi" by Damilola Orimogunje, Nigeria's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, "Clarissa" by Arie and Chuko Esiri, "The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives" by Daniel Oriahi, "Language of the Wind" by Shimataver Igbawua and "Lady" by Olive Nwosu, as well as the documentary "Crocodile" and short films "Birdie" and "Obi is a Boy." The festival's Nigerian showing underscores the growing presence of Nigerian films on the international festival circuit, with Chukwu's debut marking her transition from short-form storytelling to feature filmmaking on that same stage.
