The Man Died, a feature film inspired by the prison notes of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, is set to captivate audiences at the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) in Chicago, ongoing since June 13 to 15. This marks another significant milestone for the film, following its successful run at the 32nd African Film Festival New York.
The film will be screened on June 15 at FACETS, located at 1517 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, at 3:30pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the longer, 134-minute version of the film, which includes additional content not shown at other festivals.
Following the screening, director Awam Amkpa, a distinguished artist and professor at New York University Abu Dhabi and NY, will engage in a conversation with the audience. This format mirrors the successful event at the Luxor International Film Festival (LAFF) in January, where The Man Died was honoured with the Best Film that treats an important African Issue award.
The ADIFF directorate extended an invitation to the film’s producer, Femi Odugbemi of Zuri24 Media, expressing their enthusiasm for including The Man Died in both their Chicago and Washington DC festivals. The Washington DC screening is scheduled for August.
Prior to its ADIFF selection, The Man Died has garnered considerable attention in the American circuit, with screenings at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles, Nollywood in Hollywood, California, and the African Film Festival Atlanta.
A synopsis of the film, provided by ADIFF’s Artmattan Productions, describes it as: “Based on the gripping true story of Wole Soyinka… When his principled intervention to halt a burgeoning civil war is twisted into an act of rebellion, he finds himself unjustly incarcerated by the military regime. Inside the confines of his cell, his unwavering ideals are pushed to their breaking point as he fights to maintain his mental fortitude and stay alive… a universal testament to the enduring power of truth and the necessity of standing up against tyranny.”
ADIFF, established in 1993, is a Harlem-based, minority-led non-profit organisation dedicated to showcasing films that explore the human experience of people of colour worldwide. The organisation aims to inspire imaginations, disrupt stereotypes, and transform attitudes that perpetuate injustice.
Looking ahead, The Man Died is slated to be a featured attraction at the 2025 African Theatre Association (AfTA) annual conference in Stuttgart, Germany, in July. Additionally, the film is being considered for special screenings at various educational institutions across the globe and is currently under review by several major streaming platforms and international distribution channels.
Since its special premiere in Lagos in July 2024, coinciding with Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday, The Man Died has enjoyed a successful run. Notable screenings include the Quramo Festival of Words (QFest) 2024, the Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF), the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), and the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF).
The film’s global tour commenced in London in July 2024. It returned to London in October for the Africa Film Festival at Richmix and was also screened at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Other international screenings include the Labone Dialogues in Accra, the Carthage International Film Festival in Tunis, and the Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt.
“The Man Died” has received numerous accolades, including Best Scriptwriting Award at AFRIFF, Best Audience Choice Award at ENIFF, and Best Film That Tackles an Important African Issue at the Luxor International Film Festival. The film also garnered nominations at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) and the Jo’Burg Film Festival. Furthermore, director Awam Amkpa was recognised as Best Director at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) in May 2025.
Produced by Zuri 24 Media, The Man Died delves into Wole Soyinka’s 27-month incarceration by the Nigerian government in 1967. The film explores Soyinka’s personal struggle to maintain his sanity and ideals amidst the brutality of imprisonment.
