After a transformative three-decade career in front of the camera, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, a TIME 100 honoree and one of Africa’s most revered cinematic voices, has stepped into a new creative role. On September 6, 2025, during the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Ekeinde premiered her directorial debut, Mother’s Love, marking a pivotal moment for her career and for contemporary African cinema.
The exclusive screening took place at TIFF’s Lightbox 5 for an audience of distributors, sales agents, and international industry delegates. The anticipation was palpable as the Nollywood icon—a legend who helped define an era of African filmmaking—unveiled a story from her own perspective.
Mother’s Love is a layered and intimate exploration of maternal resilience, highlighting the quiet but unyielding influence of mothers across different social classes. The film examines the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, particularly those of first-born daughters, while also tackling themes of grief, PTSD, and social stratification.
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The screening was attended by a distinguished group of film industry figures, including Nigeria’s NFVSB Director General Shuaibu Hussein, and acclaimed filmmakers such as Obi Emelonye, Lonzo Nzekwe, and Charles Uwagbai. Also in attendance were Mother’s Love supporting actress Lilian Afegbai, producer Rogers Ofime, producer and director Oreoluwa Awolowo Nora, Charles Uwagbai, writer Oyin Debby, media personality Effe Tommy, casting director and actor Lala Akindoju, as well as Linda Osifo and OC Ukeje. The premiere also drew a number of Ekeinde’s friends, including Thansine Brown, Aluminas Sileris, Debby Taw, Lonzo, and De Hunter.
Mother’s Love was met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from both the audience and Ekeinde’s peers. UK-based director Obi Emelonye, known for films like Last Flight to Abuja, praised it as “a debut that deserves to be studied at Harvard.”
The film is scheduled for a Lagos premiere in early 2026 before embarking on a global theatrical tour, with a release timed to coincide with Mother’s Day, underscoring the film’s universal appeal. For Ekeinde, this directorial debut is not only a career milestone but a celebration of her remarkable 30-year journey in film—one that has taken her from Nollywood royalty to a global cultural force, and now, to a new chapter as a filmmaker shaping stories from behind the lens.
About The Movie, Crew & Cast- IMDb
Mother’s Love features Mother’s Love tells the story of a young woman raised in privilege who, during her NYSC year, steps beyond her sheltered world to discover purpose, resilience, and identity — all under the enduring guidance of her mother’s love. The film stars Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Ifeanyi Kalu, Noray Nehita, Lilian Afegbai, Nosa Rex, and Olumide Oworu.
Mother’s Love at TIFF – Event Credits
- Photography: Adebare Adedoyin & Kehinde Sonde
- Styling/Designer: @ofuure
- Makeup: @devatello_beauty
- Content Creation: @capturedlyco
- On-Ground Operations (TIFF): Foluke Odunlami @officialsupportpromos
- Custom T-Shirts: @grandieu_prints
- Festival & Industry Relations Director: Sahndra Fon Dufe (African Pictures International)
- Team Lead: Francis Onelum, (Q4 Entertainment)
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
