Nigerian filmmaker Damilola Orimogunje has reached another career milestone. His new feature film, Dear Ajayi, has secured an international sales deal with Italian company Luminalia.
The agreement comes before the film’s world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It also follows Dear Ajayi becoming the first Nigerian film selected for Giornate degli Autori, an independent section of the prestigious festival.
Set in 1990s Nigeria, the film tells the story of two estranged sisters. They reunite after years apart. However, they must now care for their paralysed mother under one roof.
Bimbo Akintola stars as the older sister. She is deeply religious and devoted to her family. Tosin Adeyemi plays the younger sister. She dreams of becoming a successful singer and values her independence.
Their different personalities create emotional conflict throughout the story. At the same time, the film explores family, forgiveness, ambition, and identity.
Dear Ajayi is a Nigeria-Germany co-production. Nigeria’s 2o9ine Films worked alongside Depth and Optics Productions. Germany’s Mayana Films also partnered on the project.
The producers include Damilola Orimogunje, Bose Oshin, Ajah Enene-Orimogunje, Zorana Mušikić, and May Odeh. Together, they developed the film with support from several international organisations.
The project received funding from the World Cinema Fund. It also secured support from Ouaga Film Lab. Other partners include Nouveau Marché at the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma in Montréal and Hubert Bals Fund+Europe.
Luminalia founder Tommaso Priante explained why the company acquired the film. He said the distributor wanted to expand its catalogue with more films from Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Priante, Dear Ajayi stood out because of its broad appeal. He described it as joyful, accessible, and easy for audiences to enjoy.
The acquisition makes Dear Ajayi Luminalia’s third African film this year. The company previously acquired O Profeta from Mozambique. It also added the Senegalese dance documentary Atcha Atcha to its catalogue.
The deal represents another major achievement for Nigerian cinema. It also reflects growing international interest in African storytelling.
With its Venice premiere approaching, Dear Ajayi continues to attract global attention. Its festival selection and international sales deal mark an important moment for Damilola Orimogunje and Nigeria’s film industry.
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