The highly anticipated Osamede movie, a groundbreaking Nigerian historical superhero film inspired by the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom, premiered to a thunderous standing ovation on Friday night at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, Edo State.
The Osamede homecoming premiere attracted a distinguished audience of government officials, cultural custodians, academics, filmmakers, and movie enthusiasts, who gathered to celebrate a landmark production that powerfully reimagines Edo’s history and resilience through cinema.
The event was organized by Carpe Diem Solutions Ltd in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Tourism and Creative Economy, led by Dr. Munirat Antoinette Lecky.
Notable attendees included the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., the General Manager of Super 88.1 FM, Gbenga James, and leading scholars such as Professor Ambrose Uchenunu, former Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Benin, and Associate Professor Daniel Ekharefo, the current Head of Department.
Produced by Gold Lilies Productions and directed by James Omokwe, Osamede tells the story of a young orphaned girl who discovers her ancestral warrior powers and rises to defend her people during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom.
Originally staged as a play in 2021, the story has now been adapted into a full-length feature film told predominantly in the Edo language — a creative choice that highlights the richness of indigenous storytelling.
The film, which has already made international waves with screenings at the Cannes Film Market, the Silicon Valley African Film Festival, and the Solo Pix Film Festival, stands as a proud representation of African history, identity, and creative excellence.
Speaking at the premiere, Executive Producer Lilian Olubi, an Edo-born filmmaker, described the night as deeply emotional and historic.
“Bringing Osamede home to Benin City was always the dream,” she said. “People cheered and cried because they saw themselves as heroes for the first time. That’s what happens when we tell our own stories in our own languages.”
Director James Omokwe noted that the production team worked closely with Benin cultural historians to ensure authenticity. “The applause tonight wasn’t just for a film,” he explained. “It was for recognition — for a people whose history has often been told through someone else’s lens. We gave them a mirror to see their greatness.”
Lead actress Ivie Okujaye Egboh, who plays the titular character Osamede, described the screening as the most significant moment of her career. “Playing a Benin warrior, surrounded by descendants of real-life warriors, I felt their spirit in every scene. When the audience stood and applauded, I knew we had honored their ancestors,” she said.
Her co-star William Benson, who plays Iyase, the film’s antagonist, added that the Benin reception was overwhelming. “You could feel the pride in the air. This film is more than entertainment — it’s a movement of cultural pride and self-discovery,” he remarked.
For Dr. Munirat Lecky, the film represents more than artistic success; it’s a tool for cultural preservation and economic growth.
“Osamede demonstrates how authentic storytelling can drive cultural tourism and create economic opportunities,” she said. “This is the kind of creative investment that puts Edo State on the global map.”
Filmed across Benin City, Fugar, and Ososo, the production also had direct community impact through local employment, vendor engagement, and income generation for residents who participated as extras and production assistants.
The Osamede movie will open in Nigerian cinemas on October 17, 2025, followed by a UK theatrical release on October 31 and a North American release on November 7, under Nile Entertainment Group’s global distribution.
Movie critics and audiences have praised Osamede for its high production value, emotional depth, and cultural authenticity. Beyond its historical premise, the film’s themes of courage, unity, and self-determination resonate deeply with modern audiences across Africa and the diaspora.
As the credits rolled and the crowd in Benin City rose to their feet in applause, one sentiment echoed through the night — Osamede is not just a film. It is a cultural renaissance, a reclaiming of history, and a proud statement that Edo stories belong to the world, told by Edo voices.