Nollywood actor and filmmaker Emmanuel Ikubese has officially launched his deeply personal project ‘Mzigo’ at a private screening event in Lagos.
The movie is positioned as a powerful advocacy tool to reshape the conversation around sickle cell anemia in Nigeria and beyond.
Driven by the tragic loss of his cousin to the disease in 2020, Ikubese, who spoke at the film’s screening, revealed that ‘Mzigo’ was conceived to dismantle the public stigma and widespread ignorance that often surrounds those living with sickle cell.
The award-winning film star expressed his belief that the condition is a silent, unaddressed burden.
“We screened at Zanzibar International Film Festival in Tanzania and a couple of festivals in the United States as well,” he said.
“One of the things I want to get from this film is that film is a tool to advocate for Sickle Cell. Changing the false narratives, the myths, the very ignorance that people have about Sickle Cell.
“I feel like Sickle Cell almost feels like there is a big elephant in the room and no one is talking about it.”
His vision for the film is to mirror the lives of patients and amplify their voices through compelling storytelling.
He said he aims to demystify the condition, change false narratives, and leverage the power of cinema, much like what has been successfully done in the past with HIV and AIDS awareness.
“It has not just on the person who has Sickle Cell. But on the entire family system and the entire life. The impact it has on you and your life and the life that you as a person and the family and the people around you,” he said.
“I have seen how impactful that has been in helping us change the narrative around HIV and AIDS. Using all of that experience, going to 12, 13 years, I just felt like this is one disease that has been swept under the carpet.”
‘Mzigo’ has already garnered international recognition, having been screened at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in Tanzania and several festivals in the United States.
Ikubese said he began writing the script in 2020, following his cousin’s passing, and completed production in 2023.
The film boasts a pan-African cast featuring prominent actors like Daniel Etim Effiong, Seun Ajayi, and Tanzanian star Elizabeth Michael.
Looking beyond the screen, Ikubese also announced that he is expanding his advocacy efforts and is currently working on a book dedicated to furthering sickle cell awareness.
