Nigerian filmmaker Ema Edosio is set to make a global splash as her latest film, When Nigeria Happens, opens the prestigious Open Doors section at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. This marks the film’s world premiere and a proud moment for Nigerian storytelling on the global stage.
The screening is part of Locarno’s newly launched Africa-focused Open Doors cycle, which will run from 2025 to 2028. The initiative seeks to spotlight films from underrepresented regions, particularly across Africa, offering a space for powerful, overlooked stories to reach international audiences.
Set against Nigeria’s intense socio-political climate backdrop, When Nigeria Happens follows the journey of young creatives, told through dance, music, and deeply emotional storytelling. A breakout performance by Abella “DomDom” Dominic is at its heart, supported by seasoned actors like Alex Usifo, Seun Ajayi, and Jidekene Achufusi.
Edosio, who previously directed Otiti in 2022, is fast becoming one of the boldest voices in African cinema. Her next project, Bisesero: A Daughter’s Story, will explore the Rwandan genocide and star Nigerian-British actor Wale Ojo.
When Nigeria Happens will be screened alongside 12 other African titles in the Open Doors selection, including Ancestral Visions of the Future (Lesotho), Bougainvillea (Sudan), The Bride (Rwanda), and Une si longue lettre (a pan-African co-production).
The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival will run from August 6 to 16, 2025, spotlighting Africa and opening doors to voices that deserve to be heard.
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