Three African films, including Damilola Orimogunje’s Dear Ajayi, were each awarded £60,000 by the International film festival Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals Fund under its HBF+ Europe schemes.
The Hubert Bals Fund, founded in 1988, is the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s dedicated film development and co-financing initiative that supports idependent filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Eastern Europe. The core aim is to help distinctive cinema talent reach completion and international audiences by providing targeted grants and creative development support.
This year’s selection of films from Nigeria, Morocco, and Ethiopia was announced on 17 March 2026.
Directed by Damilola Orimogunje, the movie is set in late 1990s Ibadan. It is a drama about two estranged sisters who reunite to care for their paralysed mother after a family tragedy. Forced to live under the same roof, they confront grief, ambition, and long-buried family secrets. Notable cast members include Bimbo Akintola, Tosin Adeyemi, Tope Tedela, Kalu Ikeagwu, and Michelle Dede, among others.
Dear Ajayi is the only African feature among the HBF recipients selected specifically for post-production support.
The Hubert Bals Fund was established to support innovative filmmakers, especially those from countries with limited film infrastructure, at all stages of production. Among the projects funded is Dear Ajayi, which was the only African feature selected specifically for post-production support. Nollywood is also included in this initiative.
