'Black Panther' actress and filmmaker Sope Aluko debuts 'Chidera' at AFRIFF

The filmmaker’s emotionally charged short film explores themes of identity, heritage, and self-discovery. It is set against the backdrop of a contemporary Nigerian-American immigrant community.

The project follows the journey of a high school teenager, Chidera, who grapples with the complexities of her cultural roots and the expectations placed upon her by her family and community. As Chidera embarks on a personal quest for self-acceptance, the short film takes viewers on an evocative and visually stunning cinematic journey.

On getting selected for the festival, the Nigerian-born, British-American actress and rising filmmaker said, “Chidera is a project very close to my heart. It’s essential to use film as a medium to shed light on important social issues and empower our youth. This short film embodies the message of resilience, self-love, and embracing one’s identity, and I can’t wait to share it with the world at AFRIFF.”