From zero-budget zombies to Oscar entries, C.J. Obasi is redefining what Nigerian films can be.
Born in Owerri, Obasi devoured Hammer Horror films and Stephen King novels as a kid. He drew comics, sold them to classmates, and later ditched a degree in Computer Science to chase his true calling—cinema.
OJUJU (2014)
A zombie thriller shot with zero budget, OJUJU premiered at AFRIFF and went global, winning Best Nigerian Film and becoming a cult classic. Not just horror, it’s a metaphor for environmental neglect and systemic failure. It also earned him the AMVCA Trailblazer Award.
O-Town (2015)
Inspired by his hometown, this gritty crime thriller digs deep into the chaos of a small Nigerian town. More daring, more stylized, more Fiery.
Hello, Rain (2018)
An adaptation of Nnedi Okorafor’s ‘Hello, Moto’, this afro-futuristic short fuses technology + witchcraft. It screened globally, won awards, and was spotlighted by CNN & BBC.
MAMI WATA (2023)
Shot in Benin Republic, MAMI WATA is a black-and-white, visually stunning film rooted in West African mythology. It centers on a matriarchal village torn between tradition and modernity, with the water goddess Mami Wata as symbolic anchor. It won the Sundance Jury Prize for Cinematography. It was also Nigeria’s official Oscar entry.
The film was distributed in 25+ countries and acquired by Mubi in 2024.
Recurring themes in C.J. Obasi’s work are:
- Rebellion against the status quo
- Mythology and spiritual symbolism
- Urban decay and postcolonial trauma
- Women as powerful, central figures
- A love for genre: horror, sci-fi, fantasy, all rooted in African reality
“I don’t consider myself a Nollywood filmmaker.”
Obasi believes Nigeria’s cinematic voice is too diverse to be boxed into one style. His mission? To create Nigerian cinema that pushes style, substance, and soul.
With Abba T. Makama & Michael Omonua, Obasi co-founded the Surreal16 Collective— a new wave platform pushing African indie films and launching the S16 Film Festival to spotlight work outside the mainstream.
