Chinazaekpere Chukwu's 'Her Daughters' Mother' Makes It To Film Africa 2026

The Nigerian drama film, ‘Her Daughters’ Mother’, has officially been chosen to screen at Film Africa 2026, an event scheduled to run in London from October 23 to November 1. This significant recognition for Chinazaekpere Chukwu’s first feature-length directorial project was announced by Women in the Arts (@winthearts) via an Instagram post. The celebratory message read: “@gailchukwu is whoever she says she is and even more! Having your directorial debut go global is no small feat! We are super proud of you, queen”.

This 109-minute cinematic piece is slated for a screening on October 28 at EbonyLife Place London, forming part of the festival's lineup. Penned and helmed by Chinazaekpere Chukwu, the film is set against the backdrop of Benin City, Edo State, and delves into themes of motherhood, marital dynamics, and the societal pressure for male offspring. The narrative centres on Ejiro, a woman married off at the age of 16, who returns to her hometown in her thirties as a widow raising two daughters. Her quest to secure a better future for her children leads her into a second marriage, but her new husband’s insistence on a male heir creates profound challenges. The story also explores the journey of her eldest daughter, Ejaita, a teenager with aspirations of becoming a medical doctor, who grapples with her mother’s protective nature.

The film features Ejovwoke Olikuntuyi in the lead role of Ejiro, supported by a cast including Osas Okonyon, Philip Asaya, Najite Dede, and Adeoluwa Akintoba. It was produced through a collaboration between One Child Grace Studio, C.A.N.O Productions, Uncut Gem Productions, and Nka Pictures. Prior to this, Chukwu earned the Best Director award at the EbonyLife Creative Academy for her work on 'A Psalm for Abigail'. Her directorial portfolio also includes the 18-episode television series 'The Yard' in 2025 and the short film 'Ti e Nbo', which premiered at the Africa International Film Festival in 2023.

Film Africa, presented by the Royal African Society, serves as a platform to exhibit African and diaspora cinema, featuring diverse film screenings and related industry activities. EbonyLife Place London, a venture by Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu and the EbonyLife Group, stands as a cultural, entertainment, and cinema hub dedicated to promoting African and Black storytelling. The venue boasts the 160-seat Amani Auditorium, specifically designed for African and Black cinema, hosting film screenings, industry discussions, and various cultural programmes. This London location extends the EbonyLife brand's reach beyond Nigeria, following the establishment of the original EbonyLife Place in Victoria Island, Lagos, in 2019.