BRS Studios Charts Bold Path for African Storytelling with 2025 Film Slate
By Nurudeen Adebayo
Following the global breakout of Tokunbo on Netflix—where it reached the Top 10 in over 50 countries and garnered over 5 million views within its first three days—BRS Studios is moving with renewed momentum.
The studio has unveiled a fresh 2025 slate featuring three new titles: Stitches, Iwa Akwa, and Dambe, each aimed at offering diverse, culturally resonant narratives that deepen the footprint of African cinema on the global stage.
Founded in 2024 through a collaboration between Blue Pictures, Ramsey Films, and Sozo Films, BRS Studios is helmed by a trio of industry veterans: Joy Efe Odiete, a leading distributor and cinema exhibitor; acclaimed actor and director Ramsey Nouah; and producer Chris Odeh.
Together, they bring decades of experience and a shared vision to tell African stories that are clear in purpose, authentic in voice, and wide in reach.
In partnership with MBO Capital, the studio’s 2025 rollout marks a strategic leap forward, reinforcing its ambition to produce and distribute high-quality African films for both local and international audiences.
The goal is not only to entertain but also to elevate and redefine what African storytelling looks like on screen.
The first title in the lineup, Stitches, is directed by Shirley Frimpong Manso, one of West Africa’s most respected filmmakers.
Set in Lagos, the film tells the story of a gifted fashion designer from a modest background whose rise into the city’s elite social circles is entangled with emotional and personal reckonings.
Through themes of ambition, identity, and class, Stitches explores the cost of aspiration in a city that is as unforgiving as it is full of opportunity.
Next is Iwa Akwa, directed by Nollywood veteran Ernest Obi.
The film, a comedy-drama steeped in Igbo tradition, follows a mild-mannered university professor unexpectedly called to assume a royal position in his ancestral home after the sudden death of a crown prince.
Balancing family, heritage, and reluctant duty, the film uses humor and heart to examine what it means to belong.
Rounding out the slate is Dambe, a historical epic directed by Ramsey Nouah. Set in 11th-century Kano, the story centers on a young warrior-in-training immersed in the ancient martial art of Dambe boxing.
Against a backdrop of tradition, lineage, and combat, the film explores questions of strength, purpose, and cultural pride.
Reflecting on the studio’s mission, co-founder and producer Chris Odeh explains: “BRS Studios was born out of a need to elevate African storytelling. These films are not just projects; they are a statement to the world that African cinema is limitless in scale, impact, and influence.”
Creative Director Ramsey Nouah adds, “Storytelling is our legacy. With this slate, we are not just making movies; we are capturing the essence of Africa in its truest form—bold, vibrant, and deeply rooted in culture.”
Joy Efe Odiete, Director of Partnerships and Distribution, underscores the role of collaboration and innovation. “Through strategic partnerships and innovative filmmaking, BRS Studios is setting a new benchmark for Nollywood. We are telling African stories at a global standard, and the world is watching.”
With this slate, BRS Studios positions itself at the forefront of Nollywood’s next chapter—where cultural depth meets global ambition. These films reflect not just stories but a movement: a commitment to shaping how Africa is seen and heard through the lens of its own storytellers.
