The Nigerian feature film The Man Died, inspired by Wole Soyinka’s prison memoir of the same name, continues its impressive global journey as it heads to the 2025 Costa Rica African and Diaspora Film Festival. The film is scheduled for screening on April 23 in the Afro-Costa Rican heartland of Limon and the capital city, San Jose.
Organized by the Foundation for Art and Culture for Development, the festival aims to amplify Afro-descendant voices across Latin America. In her invitation, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Dr. Carol Patricia Britton Gonzalez, praised the film’s power to bridge cultural gaps and spotlight narratives often absent from Latin American cinema. She also confirmed the film will be subtitled in Spanish, adding to its Arabic and French versions, to ensure accessibility and wider circulation.
Produced by Femi Odugbemi, the film has already garnered accolades, including nominations at the Jo’Burg Film Festival in South Africa. It also enjoyed a well-received academic screening at the Pan African University in Atlanta, showcasing its blend of artistry and political resonance.
As part of its global expansion, The Man Died will also feature in the 32nd New York African Film Festival. Its screening is set for May 13 at the esteemed Film at Lincoln Center, co-hosted by Maysles Cinema and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The film is gaining traction in academic and cultural circuits, with special screenings being considered across major institutions from Harvard to Oxford. It’s also under review by several international streaming platforms and distribution channels.
Boasting a powerful ensemble including Wale Ojo as Soyinka, Sam Dede, Norbert Young, and international names like Christiana Oshunniyi and Abraham Awam-Amkpa, The Man Died continues to demonstrate the global appeal of powerful African stories rooted in resistance and resilience.
