Mami Wata

12A

This genre-bending tale brings to life a futuristic fable that fuses spiritual beliefs with inter-generational tensions. Set in the matriarchal ocean village of Iyi, where West African water deity, Mami Wata, reigns via village leader Mama Efe. It uniquely brings to the screen a story of mythology, fantasy, and folklore. When the harmony of the village is threatened, two sisters must fight to restore order, as traditions of the past crash with calls from the future.

This is the third feature from director C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi, who represents a new wave of Nigerian filmmakers. The film is vividly shot in black-and-white and accompanied by an incredible oceanic soundscape and hypnotic score to frame its fantasy-fable. It won the Sundance Film Festival: World Cinema Cinematography Award (Dramatic) and the African Critics Award, Cinematography Award, and Set Design Award at FESPACO in 2023.

With special introduction from filmmaker and curator Chim'Di. 

Chim’Di (she/her) is a Nigerian-born multimedia artist and creative producer with a strong track record in unscripted content. An alumna of the BFI Network’s Creative Producer Lab 2023, she is passionate about telling authentic, culturally resonant stories that amplify underrepresented voices. Within three years with Sheffield DocFest, Chim’Di has produced 18 short documentaries for the prestigious Filmmaker Challenge Programme, working under the mentorship of Oscar-winning directors Kevin MacDonald, Julie Cohen, and Waad Al-Kateab.

She is currently directing her third documentary, exploring themes of culture, womanhood, and family in Igboland (Nigeria). This work reflects her identity, heritage and lived experience. She is also producing her first BFI-funded short film, This Flag, and the Little Pictures short animation, Toad Test.