Wole Soyinka-inspired film The Man Died nominated for Best Feature Narrative at Pan African Film Festival

The Man Died cover

The Man Died, the feature film inspired by Wole Soyinka’s prison memoir of the same title, has been nominated for Best Feature Narrative at the 33rd Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, USA, from February 4 to 17.

The nomination was confirmed in a letter dated January 28, 2025, signed by Miki Goral, the festival’s Filmmaker Liaison & Research Director.

The letter expressed excitement over the film’s inclusion, marking its US debut after successful screenings in London and North Africa. It will be screened on February 12 and 14 at the Culver Theatre, Culver City, California.

Directed by Nigerian-American filmmaker Awam Amkpa and produced by Femi Odugbemi for Zuri24 Media, The Man Died chronicles Wole Soyinka’s 27-month imprisonment during the Nigerian Civil War.

The film captures his mental struggles and resilience in isolation as he sought to mediate peace between Biafra and the Federal Government.

Since its premiere in Lagos in July 2024, the film has received critical acclaim and won multiple awards.

It was recently honoured as Best African Film That Tackles an Important African Issue at the 14th Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) in Egypt.

Prior to that, it won Best Screenplay at both the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos and the 35th Carthage International Film Festival in Tunis.

Additionally, it took home the Best Audience Choice Award at the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) in Enugu.

The film features a stellar cast, including Wale Ojo as Wole Soyinka, Sam Dede as Yisa, Norbert Young as the Prison Superintendent, Francis Onwochei as the Prison Controller and Edmund Enaibe as the Commissioner.

Also starring are London-based Christiana Oshunniyi as Laide Soyinka and Los Angeles-based Abraham Awam-Amkpa as Johnson.

Following its nomination at PAFF, The Man Died has also been selected for the Jo’Burg Film Festival, set to run from March 11 to 16.

It is also being considered for special screenings at institutions such as Oxford University, New York University, Harvard University and Ithaca College.

Additionally, major global streaming platforms and international distribution channels are currently reviewing the film for wider release.

PAFF, which was founded in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (Good Times) and Ayuko Babu, is known for promoting Black stories and images through film, visual art and other creative expressions.

It remains a significant platform for filmmakers from Africa and the diaspora, showcasing over 200 films annually.