The film won a Gold Remi for best Foreign Theatrical Feature category at the world’s oldest festival.
By Helena Olori
Biodun Stephen-directed Strangers has clinched a Gold Remi Award for the Independent Theatrical Features at the 56th Annual WorldFest International Film Festival in Houston, Texas, where it had its USA Premiere.
This marks yet another milestone for the emotionally uplifting movie which draws inspiration from real-life events and follows the story of Adetola Akinjobi, a boy battling a life-ending disease and forgotten in a remote village. His life takes a miraculous turn when strangers take a sudden interest in his plight.
(Read also: Strangers Review: Does Biodun Stephen’s Mystery Drama Pass as a Good Film?)
The WorldFest, founded over 56 years by award-winning filmmaker, Hunter Todd, is the oldest and one of the most competitive international film festivals held every April. The festival recognises outstanding talent in 10 major categories and several sub-categories of film and video, and offers five major awards: Special Jury Award, Platinum Remi, Gold Remi, Silver Remi, and Bronze Remi.
With Anthony Eloka Ogbu behind the screenplay and Banji Adesanmi producing, Strangers runs for 119 minutes, and boasts of an outstanding cast that includes Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Akintola, Bolaji Ogunmola, Jide Kosoko, Bimbo Oshin, Peter Fatomilola, Chris Iheuwa, Mide Glover, Femi Adebayo, Nonso Odogwu, and Debbie Felix.
(Read also: 5 Festivals For African Filmmakers To Look Out For)
The film first made its theatrical debut in April 2022 and began streaming on Netflix on March 17, 2023, where it topped the streaming charts in its debut weekend.
Strangers has had multiple festival runs, nominations, and awards, including the Gold Winner for Best Director at the International Independent Film Awards.