Nnamdi Kanaga’s ‘Water Girl’ Blends Motherhood, Loss, and Igbo Spirituality

A new film titled Water Girl is turning heads for its emotional story and deep connection to Igbo mythology in the first look teaser. Written and directed by Nigerian filmmaker Nnamdi Kanaga, the supernatural drama follows a woman’s painful journey through motherhood and the discovery that her daughter might be more than just a child – she could be an Ọgbanje, a spirit known in Igbo belief for causing repeated loss in families.

Starring Stella Damasus as the lead character Nkechi, the film shows a mother struggling to raise her daughter, Kamsi, after years of heartbreaking miscarriages. But as Kamsi grows, strange signs begin to suggest she may not be an ordinary child. Kanaga weaves traditional stories of the Ọgbanje and the hidden spiritual object known as “Iyiuwa” into a modern setting, creating a tale that explores grief, spiritual awakening, and a mother’s desperate hope to protect her child.

Water Girl was filmed in the United States, featuring a mix of Nigerian and international actors, including Florence Onuma, Kenneth Okolie, Moriyah Faith Jackson, and Oliver Haeden.

The filmmaker says building relationships has played a massive role in bringing the story to life. After meeting Damasus on a movie set in Dallas, the two kept in touch, and she became a strong supporter of the project. It was also Damasus who helped connect Kanaga with veteran actress Florence Onuma, someone he deeply admired from her Nollywood days.

The film has already received praise at the Flathead Lake International Cinefest. It has been selected to screen at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival – a significant milestone for a movie that aims to elevate African stories in global spaces.

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