NEON, the Oscar-winning studio behind Parasite and Anatomy of a Fall, has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to “Clarissa”.
The deal, announced at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Cairo, marks a watershed moment for the Nigerian film industry.
The project is backed by a historic, all-African financing structure led by CANEX Creations Inc (CCInc) and MBO Capital, signaling a shift in how high-end African content reaches the global market.
The acquisition by NEON guarantees the film a prestigious theatrical release in the United States and international markets. This partnership places the vision of Nigerian directors Arie and Chuko Esiri alongside the world’s most elite cinematic works.
Shot on 35mm film, “Clarissa” is a contemporary reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s classic novel, transposed to the high-society circles of Lagos and Delta State.
The story follows a high-society woman, Clarissa, as she prepares to host an elaborate party. Throughout a single night, the arrival of old friends sparks a bittersweet reckoning with past loves, hidden desires, and lost aspirations.
The film features an ensemble of international stars, including Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda), David Oyelowo (Selma), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), India Amarteifio (Queen Charlotte) and Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso).
For the investors, the deal is proof of concept. Osahon Akpata, CEO of CCInc, noted that the NEON acquisition validates the “viability of Africa-backed financing structures for internationally scalable film content.”
Co-director Chuko Esiri added that shooting on 35mm was a deliberate choice to ensure the film “stands next to the great films of modern cinema”.
By securing a major Hollywood distributor before the film’s wide release, the production has demonstrated that African-funded projects can compete at the highest level of global entertainment without relying on traditional Western studio subsidies.
The Esiri brothers have a proven track record of attracting international attention. Their debut feature, Eyimofe (This Is My Desire), was a critical darling that premiered at the Berlinale and swept the Africa Movie Academy Awards, winning Best Director and Best Nigerian Film.
Crucially, Eyimofe became one of the few contemporary African films to be inducted into the Criterion Collection, a gold standard for cinematic excellence. This new acquisition for “Clarissa” builds on that momentum, moving the directors from the indie circuit into the global spotlight.With Clarissa, the duo looks set to further cement their status as leading voicesin global cinema.
•Featured image: Arie and Chuko Esiri/YouTube
