A week ago, their phones buzzed as they learned that they had won the Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble at the just-concluded Sundance.
The lead actress Jessica Gabrielās Ujah was stuck in Lagos traffic. Her co-stars, Amanda Oruh was at home, working on press materials; and Tinuade Jemiseye was supporting a friend at a cinema meet-and-greet in Lekki.
Where they should have been was Utah, USA, on one of the biggest nights of their careers. They were hindered by visa denial, a familiar mobility barrier for African creatives on the global stage.
āAs much as you try to ignore it, politics and governance will affect everybody ā rich or poor, big or small, talented or not talented,ā Oruh tells WKMUp, during a conversation with the 3 actors.
Their director,
@olivenwosu , made sure they werenāt left out. From the world premiere onward, she carried them along every step of the Sundance journey, sharing updates, photos, and videos, the same care and intentionality she brought to the set itself.
In the 2-hour virtual conversation with Ujah, Oruh and Jemiseye, they discuss their recent global recognition, visa exclusion, and the realities of working in Nollywood.
Read the full story on our website at the link in bio.
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