Lights, camera, empathy: In Her Shoes, a powerful 18 minute short directed by debut filmmaker Ella Chikezie and produced by the razor sharp Precious Iroagalachi, is quietly turning big heads across the globe. This is not your average coming of age film, it’s a cultural sledgehammer making audiences confront autism, resilience, and community, all through a Lagos lens.
Here’s the ride so far:
- It’s in the race for Best Short Film at California’s Silicon Valley African Film Festival, a major stage for African narratives in the diaspora.
- It’s landed in South Africa’s Power24 International Film Festival and even cracked the lineup at Serbia’s Uhvati Film Festival for Disability, underscoring how universal its emotional core is.
- And back home, it’s an Official Selection at the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), screening August 28 at Filmhouse Cinemas, The Palms, Lekki.
Why we’re obsessed:
- Ella Chikezie delivers a tender, authentic directorial debut, a fresh storytelling voice we can’t ignore.
- Producer Precious Iroagalachi: she’s the business case and vision bearer rolled into one, this duo? Nigerian cinema’s next powerful collaborators.
- Their project wasn’t just spit shine creativity, it’s a Tricom Productions grant winner, providing both financial fuel and recognition.
- Center stage: Darasimi Nadi as Halima, a 12 year old autistic girl. Her performance isn’t just acting; it’s palpable humanity. With Nadia Dutch, Emmanuel Adex, Imoh Eboh, and cinematographer Adeniyi Joseph (TAJ) filling in texture, Lagos comes alive with heartbeat and hope.
In Her Shoes doesn’t just entertain. It educates, humanizes, and elevates a conversation often tucked behind labels. It proves that Nigerian filmmakers don’t need to dilute their stories to win global acclaim. They simply need to stay real.
