Selected in the Projects in Development and Production category, To Catch a Falling Sky received two significant recognitions at Red Sea Project Market:
- Freshly Ground Stories In-Kind Award — Professional Business and Legal Support valued at $5,000
- Red Sea Souk Jury Special Mention Award — $15,000
These awards provide support across development, production, and post-production, with dedicated backing for projects within the Souk’s development strands.
To Catch a Falling Sky (formerly Love is a Deeper Shade of Red prior to a title change in November) is being developed as a Nigeria–United Kingdom co-production, with Orwi Manny Ameh and Sheila Nortley attached as producers. The project has also received ongoing support from Red Sea Labs, the Red Sea Film Foundation’s year-round development initiative.
In 1966 Nigeria, as civil war erupts, a brilliant but childless woman must confront her husband’s devastating choice to bring home a second wife, forcing her to choose between resentment and an unthinkable alliance as their country collapses around them.
Nigerian writer-director Cheta Chukwu expressed that; “This recognition means so much to me. To stand in a room surrounded by filmmakers I deeply admire and hear our project was surreal. It felt like a quiet confirmation of the journey we’ve been on. Developing this film has been a path of faith, dedication, and community. Watching it rise like this, step by step, piece by piece, feels incredibly affirming.”
Speaking on the growing impact of the Souk, Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, noted the market’s expansion this year, with increased global participation and strong support for emerging and established filmmakers alike.
The Souk Awards also recognised projects by Mohamed Kordofani (Goodbye Julia, Cannes 2023) and Maha Haj (Personal Affairs, Cannes 2016). Also participating in this year’s Red Sea Souk Project Market were Nigerian projects by CJ Obasi and Tomi Folowosele. In total, 40 selected projects across various stages of production competed for cash and in-kind awards.
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