The World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography was given to the Nigerian movie Mami Wata, which was produced and directed by Oge and CJ Obasi.
The film’s director, CJ Obasi, accepted the award on behalf of the director of photography, Llis Soares.
A Nigerian film receiving recognition at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the most renowned and well-respected film festivals in the world, is a significant honour.
Speaking about the award, CJ Obasi said, “It means a lot. This was a dream, we worked so hard on this. A testament to what we were trying to create with the cinematography of the film. Lílis would say, ‘Aesthetics is political.’”
The film “Mami Wata” is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the complexities of Nigerian culture and society through the eyes of the protagonist, a young woman who discovers the truth about her heritage and the forces that shape her identity. The film’s cinematography is a key element in bringing this story to life, and it is a testament to the talent and skill of Lílis Soares and the entire “Mami Wata” team.
FilmOne Entertainment, the distribution company behind the film, said they are thrilled with this achievement.
In a statement by its CEO, Moses Babatope, the company said they are proud to be part of a film that is making an impact in the Nigerian film industry and showcasing the country’s talent on the global stage.
“We congratulate the entire team of ‘Mami Wata’ for this outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing more of their work in the future,” Babatope said
