Metis Films has acquired UK-Ireland rights to “Lady,” the feature debut from UK-Nigerian filmmaker Olive Nwosu, from Hanway Films. The distributor plans a theatrical release in 2027.
“Lady” will screen next month in the BFI London Film Festival’s first-feature competition. Set in Lagos, the film follows a young cab driver drawn into a band of sex workers’ sisterhood. Jessica Gabriel’s Ujah, Amanda Oruh, and Tinuade Jemisey star.
At Sundance in January, the film won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble.
The UK-Nigeria co-production was produced by Alex Polunin’s Ossian International, John Giwa-Amu for Good Gate, and Stella Nwimo. Adé Sultan Sangodoyin and Jamiu Shoyode of Emperium Films co-produced. Financiers include Film4, BFI, Screen Scotland, Level Forward, and Amplify Capital.