Nigerian directors Arie and Chuko Esiri's sophomore feature Clarissa has been selected for the Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes) at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, running 13–23 May 2026.
Shot on 35mm across Lagos and Delta State in late 2025, Clarissa is a reimagining of Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway, unfolding over a single day as a society hostess prepares for an evening gathering while confronting memories, past relationships, and the life she has built. The film stars Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, Toheeb Jimoh, and India Amarteifio, and has been acquired by NEON for international distribution.
The Esiri brothers' debut, Eyimofe (This Is My Desire), premiered in Berlin and won five African Movie Academy Awards. Clarissa's selection at the Directors' Fortnight — with a major international cast and NEON backing — represents a significant step in the internationalisation of Nollywood-adjacent auteur cinema.
For FRA members: Arie and Chuko Esiri are both listed in the FRA directory. This is a strong example of African filmmakers operating at the intersection of local storytelling and global arthouse infrastructure.
Source: deadline.com