Nigerian family drama Daddy Bear, which explores fatherhood, grief and caregiving in a Muslim household, is set to reach audiences through community screenings in Lagos and Abuja from November.
The film, co-directed by Korede Azeez and Hajarat Alli, has unveiled its first-look images as it nears the end of post-production. The screenings are expected to continue into December, although the organisers have yet to announce specific dates and venues.
The filmmakers said the community-based approach was intended to create alternative ways for independent productions to reach audiences beyond conventional cinema releases.
“For us, it is about exploring different ways independent films can reach people,” the team said. “We want people to be able to experience Daddy Bear not just in cinemas, but also in their own communities and in spaces where they feel comfortable.”
The film follows Fahd, played by Jammal Ibrahim, a father raising his 10-year-old daughter, Aisha, and a newborn following the death of his wife. Set in Abuja, the story examines the responsibilities of parenthood, bereavement and family life within a multicultural Muslim community.
Alli, who wrote the screenplay and is making her directorial debut with the project, said the story was inspired partly by the different expectations society places on widows and widowers.
“If the topic is a widow, people say, ‘Let her just concentrate on her children. What else is she looking for?’ But if it is a widower, the conversation is often, ‘Let him remarry quickly for the sake of the children,’” she said in an interview with The Nollywood Reporter.
She argued that bereaved parents should be able to make decisions about their personal lives without being judged by expectations about childcare.
“A parent is a parent, whether mother or father, and should be able to care for their child whether or not the other parent is around,” she said.
Alli said she wanted to tell a story about fatherhood that is rarely represented on screen while portraying Muslim characters as complex individuals whose lives are not defined solely by their religion.
“Daddy Bear does not follow some of the common Nollywood tropes,” she said, explaining that the film takes a different approach to its characters and the resolution of its story.
The cast also includes Dera Osadebe as Aisha, Ummi Baba-Ahmed as Aunty Kike, Ame Aiyejina as Zahra and Ijapari Ben-Hirki as Khadijah.
Fadamana Okwong handled cinematography, while Adio Solanke edited the film. Jonathan Ainwonkhai composed the original score.
Azeez and Fulfilment “Fuchi” Nwaturuocha are producing the film alongside Alli’s co-directing role. Azeez and Nwaturuocha previously collaborated on With Difficulty Comes Ease. Azeez’s other directing credits include the Netflix-UNESCO short film Halima’s Choice and It Blooms in June.
The production is supported by the Entertainment and Media Hubs Programme, powered by CcHUB’s Creative Economy Practice in partnership with Africa No Filter.
The filmmakers said they hoped to work with community groups, schools, non-governmental organisations and other partners to expand the film’s reach. Festival, streaming and television opportunities are also being explored.
“We want Daddy Bear to travel as far as its story can take it,” the team said. “Ultimately, we want to take Daddy Bear to the people and give the film the opportunity to reach as many lives as possible.”
The planned screenings offer an alternative distribution route for an independent Nigerian film, as its team seeks to build direct relationships with audiences while considering other release opportunities.
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