Dear Ajayi Wins Two Venice Days Awards as Its Nigerian Cinema Run Begins

Damilola Orimogunje's Dear Ajayi has won two awards at Venice Days, the independent section of the Venice International Film Festival, weeks after becoming the first Nigerian film selected for the section's competition. The Nigeria and Germany co-production took the Premio Enrico Fulchignoni, presented by UNESCO, and the Premio Bisato d'Oro for Best Cast and Performances, What Kept Me Up reports. It opened a limited run in Nigerian cinemas on 18th September, ahead of a nationwide release through FilmOne on 13th November.

Damilola Orimogunje. Source: @damiorimogunje on Instagram

What the Two Venice Days Awards Recognise

The Fulchignoni jury described the film as a witness to the creative moment Nigerian cinema is enjoying and one ready for discovery by the global film scene, according to What Kept Me Up, while the Bisato d'Oro recognised the ensemble for bringing depth and truth to the story. Film Fest Report says the Fulchignoni prize goes to films that represent the values of peace and tolerance promoted by UNESCO.

The film premiered in competition at the 23rd Giornate degli Autori, the independent parallel section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, which ran from 2nd to 12th September, What Kept Me Up reported in July. It was the first Nigerian production selected for the section's competition.

What Dear Ajayi Is About

Set in southwestern Nigeria in the 1990s, Dear Ajayi follows sisters Ade and Titi Ajayi, who lead very different lives in the shadow of their late father's home, according to Deadline. Ade is a devout Christian and the family's sole breadwinner, while Titi is an aspiring singer whose independent spirit challenges convention. When their ailing mother comes to live with them, old resentments resurface and the sisters have to confront grief and the fragile bonds holding the family together.

The Heron reports that the dialogue moves between English, Yoruba, French and Igbo. The cast is led by Bimbo Akintola and Tosin Adeyemi, with Lanre Hassan and William Benson in key roles, and it also includes Uzoamaka Power. Film Fest Report gives the running time as 115 minutes.

Dear Ajayi official poster. Source: @damiorimogunje on Instagram

How the Film Was Made

Orimogunje told Film Fest Report that he worked on the script for eight years, beginning with the idea of two sisters who did not like each other and adding layers as he came to understand them. He set the story in the 1990s because his own childhood happened then and he wanted to portray people he grew up seeing. He described duty and responsibility as the film's main conflict, with characters taking on roles because they are expected to rather than because they want to.

The team shot the film on a single 100mm lens so the audience would feel like intruders in the characters' lives, watching from one perspective. Film Fest Report credits production designer Abisola Omolade, inspired by Wong Kar-Wai, and its interviewer noted a palette that pairs vivid colours in Titi's club and Michael's paintings with duller blues elsewhere. "There is beauty in sadness," Orimogunje said of the choice.

Orimogunje produced the film with Ajah Enene-Orimogunje and Bose Oshin, and Zorana Mušikić, May Odeh and Joshua Alabi served as co-producers, according to The Heron.

The Director's Track Record

Dear Ajayi is Orimogunje's second feature. His 2020 debut, For Maria Ebun Pataki, earned six Africa Movie Academy Award nominations, according to Google9ja's report on the Venice selection, and he produced Babatunde Apalowo's Berlin International Film Festival title All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White.

For Maria Ebun Pataki official poster. Source: @damiorimogunje on Instagram

What Happens Next in Nigerian Cinemas

Dear Ajayi opened a limited theatrical run in Nigeria on 18th September, ahead of a nationwide release through FilmOne on 13th November, What Kept Me Up reports. A festival film reaching cinemas in stages touches questions PINCHED has covered before, including why access rights, not the box office, keep Nollywood producers solvent and how the Nollywood Next platform launched at TIFF wants to connect filmmakers with financing partners.

This article reports on the awards and the release plans, and PINCHED has not reviewed the film.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Dear Ajayi About?

Dear Ajayi follows two sisters, Ade and Titi Ajayi, in 1990s southwestern Nigeria. Their lives collide again when their ailing mother comes to live with them and old resentments resurface.

What Awards Did Dear Ajayi Win at Venice?

Dear Ajayi won the Premio Enrico Fulchignoni, presented by UNESCO, and the Premio Bisato d'Oro for Best Cast and Performances at Venice Days.

When Does Dear Ajayi Release in Nigeria?

The film opened a limited theatrical run on 18th September 2026 and is set for a nationwide release through FilmOne on 13th November 2026.

Who Directed Dear Ajayi?

Damilola Orimogunje wrote and directed the film, and produced it with Ajah Enene-Orimogunje and Bose Oshin. It is his second feature after For Maria Ebun Pataki.

Who Stars in Dear Ajayi?

The cast is led by Bimbo Akintola and Tosin Adeyemi, with Lanre Hassan, William Benson and Uzoamaka Power among the cast.