Cohen Media Group has purchased U.S. distribution rights to “Lady,” the debut function from Nigerian-born writer-director Olive Nwosu, being offered by HanWay Films.
The acquisition follows the movie’s world premiere within the World Dramatic Cinema Competitors at this 12 months’s Sundance Movie Competition, the place it gained the Particular Jury Award for finest ensemble forged, and its European premiere on the 2026 Berlinale.
The deal was negotiated by Jessica Lacy at Gersh and Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of HanWay Movies, on behalf of the filmmakers and Robert Aaronson, exec VP of Cohen Media Group
Starring Jessica Gabriel, Amanda Oruh, Tinuade Jemiseye, Bucci Franklin and Seun Kuti, “Lady” charts one younger girl’s quest for sisterhood and freedom.
Set within the stressed evening of Lagos, the place one of many metropolis’s few feminine cab drivers, Girl, survives by staying robust and targeted. She goals of escape, saving her earnings for a brand new life removed from the chaos of this Nigerian metropolis. However when long-lost childhood pal, Pinky — now a intercourse employee — returns with bother, Girl is pulled reluctantly into her orbit. Quickly she’s driving a crew of glamorous, reckless, fun-loving ladies by the underbelly of Lagos nightlife.
“We’re proud and grateful to champion a new and exciting international voice in cinemas to American audiences,” mentioned Aaronson. “Olive and her Sundance-winning cast illuminate the personal and political with impressive depth and specificity, while showing us their vibrant world with fun and incredible music.”
An alumna of the Sundance Lab, Nwosu hung out with Nigerian intercourse employees to make sure an genuine portrayal of the group. The movie encompasses a soundtrack of up to date African jazz and dance music, mixing tracks from native artists like EDAOTO and Deto Black with diaspora voices together with Little Simz, Obongjayar, and BANTU.
“Lady” is a U.Okay. and Nigerian manufacturing developed with Film4 and financed by the BFI (awarding Nationwide Lottery Funding), Film4 and Display Scotland, alongside Degree Ahead and Amplify Capital. Degree Ahead will even be servicing “Lady’s” group distribution and the movie’s impression marketing campaign. The movie was produced by Ossian Intl. (Alex Polunin), Good Gate (John Giwa-Amu) and Stella Nwimo. Co-producers are Adé Sultan Sangodoyin and Jamiu Shoyode of Lagos-based Emperium Movies.
