CANEX Creations Inc. (CCInc), the intellectual property investment arm backed by the African Export-Import Bank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa, has invested in the Nigerian feature film Clarissa, marking a further push to position African-backed creative projects for global distribution.
The film has been acquired for worldwide distribution by NEON, which will oversee theatrical release in the United States and international markets.
The drama, directed by twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri, has been acquired by NEON, which will handle U.S. theatrical release and international rollout, with NEON International overseeing foreign sales.
A contemporary reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s novel set in Lagos, Clarissa was shot on 35mm film across Lagos and Delta State. The story follows a society woman preparing to host a party, only to confront long-buried memories and unresolved relationships over the course of a single evening, a narrative centered on time, memory and personal reckoning.
The cast includes Academy Award and Emmy nominee Sophie Okonedo, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee David Oyelowo, Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri, alongside India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh and Nikki Amuka-Bird.
The Esiri brothers, whose debut feature Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) premiered at the Berlinale and later entered the Criterion Collection, wrote, directed and produced the film. They are joined by producers Theresa Park of Per Capita Productions and Nicholas Weinstock of Invention Studios, with Nina Gold and Thomas Bassett as co-producers. Executive producers include Sophie Okonedo, Dolly Omodolapo Kola-Balogun, Osahon Okunbo and Jason Reif.
“Clarissa exemplifies the type of globally resonant, IP-driven storytelling that CANEX Creations Inc (CCInc) was established to support. The film combines literary heritage, world-class filmmaking, and African production capacity, while remaining firmly rooted on the continent. Its acquisition by NEON validates both the creative ambition of the filmmakers and the viability of Africa-backed financing structures for internationally scalable film content,” said Osahon Akpata, Chief Executive Officer of CANEX Creations Inc.
Reflecting on the creative approach, Chuko Esiri said, “From the beginning, it was important to us that Clarissa be both rooted and resourced on the continent where it is set. Having African institutions back a film of this scale reflects a growing confidence that our stories can be produced from within. Clarissa is a story centered on time and memory, and in bringing it to life, we chose to shoot on 35mm in the hope it will first feel, then stand next to the great films of modern cinema”.
Production financing for filming in Nigeria was provided entirely by Africa-based institutions, led by CCInc alongside MBO Capital, underscoring the increasing role of domestic capital in underwriting internationally marketable film projects.
The acquisition was negotiated by NEON executive Kate Gondwe, with UTA Independent Film Group representing the filmmakers.
For CCInc, the deal aligns with its mandate to catalyze export-ready creative assets across film, television, music and fashion, positioning African intellectual property within global distribution networks and strengthening the continent’s participation in high-value creative industries.
