On November 5, 2026, Lufodo Productions and Kinsman Studios will debut their short film, A Tray of Locust Beans, at Filmhouse, Landmark, Lagos, following its selection for the 2026 African International Film Festival (AFRIFF).
The Above Whispers Media Foundation and Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement have collaborated to commission an event featuring a film screening and discussion on key social issues.
Bisi Fayemi, an activist and author, wrote the film, which is based on one of her short stories and has a screenplay by Ololade Okedare and Ayobola Eniola, with direction by Orobosa Ikponmwen.
The story is set in Epe, Lagos State. It follows Mabel, a 13-year-old girl dealing with a broken child welfare system and exploitative informal guardianship arrangements.
The film examines the vulnerability of children within structures intended to protect them, highlighting the consequences of institutional neglect and the culture of silence surrounding sexual violence.
Somachi Chilaka, Joke Silva, and Korede Lawal star in the film, with Silva also serving as an executive producer alongside Soji Jacobs and Fayemi.
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The production team said AFRIFF’s recognition shows the importance of bringing difficult societal issues into public discourse.
The film will have its first public screening on November 5, followed by a conversation that aims to expand on the film’s advocacy, focusing on the role of communities, institutions, and policymakers in protecting children.
Above Whispers Media Foundation is a project that aligns with its work on women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice through storytelling, advocacy, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. This collaboration reflects the growing use of film and other creative platforms to advance public awareness of social challenges and influence conversations around policy and institutional accountability.
Lufodo Productions, a company co-founded by Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs, creates content for film, stage, and television that reflects Nigerian cultural realities and caters to international audiences.
With its AFRIFF selection and the upcoming Lagos premiere, A Tray of Locust Beans is positioned as both a cinematic work and an advocacy-driven intervention in the conversation about child protection and the rights of the girl child.
