OSAMEDE brings the historical grandeur of the Benin Empire to life through fantasy storytelling, following an orphaned girl who discovers supernatural powers during Benin’s colonial past. This Nigerian stage-to-screen adaptation makes its international debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Market on May 17.
Directed by James Omokwe (yes, the genius behind Cheta’m, Ajoche, and Riona) and executive produced by Lilian Olubi, “Osamede” is a genre-blending epic that mixes myth, magic, and resistance. It is set during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom. Think powerful women, ancient artefacts, colonial enemies, and superhuman gifts from the gods.
Wait, What’s It About?
Osamede (played by the ever-glowing Ivie Okujaye Egboh) is an orphan who discovers she’s the chosen protector of the Aruosa stone, a sacred object said to be blessed by Osanobua, the Benin deity of creation. With it, she’s the only one who can push back against British invaders and awaken the power hidden deep within her people’s past.
It’s giving The Woman King, but with a splash of magic. It’s giving… everything.
“With OSAMEDE, we’re not just telling a story, we’re rewriting how African history and mythology are seen on the global screen,” says Executive Producer Lilian Olubi, who’s also repping Naija hard on a Cannes panel titled “Beyond Budgets: Innovative Funding for Filmmakers.”
From Stage to Screen
What makes this film even more iconic? It started as a theatre production, 12 sold-out shows under Olubi’s Gold Lilies Productions banner, and now it’s being transformed into a full-blown cinematic event.
Alongside Ivie Okujaye, the cast includes Lexan Aisosa Peters, William Benson, Tosin Adeyemi, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, and Alexander Bud. They all help to build a world that fuses historical events with cinematic magic.
“What Black Panther did for Afrofuturism, we’re doing for African historical fantasy rooted in real Benin Kingdom mythology,” says director James Omokwe.
Why This Is a Big Deal
“Osamede” at Cannes this year is part of a broader Nigerian cinema movement taking up space globally. And with another Nigerian title, My Father’s Shadow breaking into the official Cannes selection this year, Naija is pulling up HEAVY.
The global audience is hungry for stories with soul, culture, and a fresh POV, and Osamede is ready to serve.
Photo credit: Gold Lilies Productions
