It has been announced that Nigerian film, Mami Wata, directed by CJ Obasi and produced by Oge Obasi, has won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Breezy News Nigeria reported earlier that “the award was accepted on behalf of the Director of Photography, Lílis Soares, by the film’s director, CJ Obasi.”

The medium says “Sundance Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and highly-regarded film festivals in the world, and it is a great honour for a Nigerian film to be recognised at such an event.”

Commenting on 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 medium also reported that “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.”

In a statement by its CEO, Moses Babatope, the company said it is 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 reportedly said.

Photo Credit: Afrocritik