Genevieve Nnaji’s directorial debut, ‘Lionheart’, to premiere at TIFF

‘Lionheart’, a movie by first-time director Genevieve Nnaji, will premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

The movie is about a lady who goes the extra mile to save her father’s ailing bus company, Lionheart Transport, after her uncle tries to run the business aground.

Nnaji stars as Adaeze, Pete Edochie plays her father while Nkem Owoh takes on the role of Uncle Godswill.

According to a synopsis on TIFF’s website, ‘Lionheart’ “deals with the everyday sexism that saturates workplaces and captures the delicate balance between honouring one’s family while finding the courage to strike out on one’s own”.

The film also stars Chika Okpala, Steve Eboh, Kanayo O Kanayo, Onyeka Onwenu, Kalu Ikeagwu, Jemima Osunde, Yakubu Mohammed and Sani Muazu.

Phyno and Peter Okoye, Nigerian music artistes, make cameo appearances in the film.

Screening more than 300 films from over 60 countries, and drawing in an estimated 400,000 attendees annually, the 43rd Toronto International Film Festival will run from September 6 to September 16.

Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ will hold its world premiere on September 7.

Before Nnaji sat in the director’s chair, the Nigerian actress had spent many years in front of the camera where she starred in films like ‘Blood Sister’, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’, and ‘Ijé’.