Lionheart: Genevieve Nnaji's directorial debut to premiere at 2018 TIFF

Genevieve Nnaji's long-awaited directorial debut is set to premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

"Lionheart," Genevieve Nnaji's directorial debut, will have its world premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

The film, which aside from being her directorial debut, stars an array of acting award winners and pop culture icons, will screen for the first time at the festival on Friday, September 7, 2018.

"Lionheart" stars Genevieve Nnaji, Chika Okpala, Steve Eboh, Pete Edochie, Kanayo O Kanayo, Onyeka Onwenu, Nkem Owoh, Kalu Ikeagwu, Jemima Osunde, Yakubu Mohammed and Sani Muazu.

The movie also stars Nigerian rapper and singer, Phyno and Peter Okoye.

The TIFF synopsis for "Lionheart"

Nnaji plays Adaeze, a level-headed executive in her father's bus company, Lionheart Transport. Time and again, Adaeze has proven her keen ability to make a profit and to manage the most heated situations.

But when her father falls ill, both she and her rival are passed over in favour of Adaeze's less-than-suave uncle, Godswill.

Determined to fight her way to the top, but not wanting to go against her father's wishes, Adaeze feels like the proverbial bus has left the station without her.

She must quickly shift gears. However, when she and Godswill discover that Lionheart is running on fumes, financially, together, the unlikely duo must come together to save the company and their family name.

Sharply and comically observed, Nnaji's film deals with the everyday sexism that saturates workplaces and captures the delicate balance between honouring one's family while finding the courage to strike out on one's own.

 

Written by C.J Fiery Obasi based on a screenplay by Ishaya Bako and Emil Garuba, the movie is executive produced by The Entertainment Network (TEN), which was founded in partnership with Chinny Onwugbenu.