Arina Adju is a Nigerian film director, writer and producer from Lagos. She is best known for her debut feature film, The Space Between, which was released in 2019.
Adju was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She studied film at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduating with a degree in Film and Media Arts in 2016. That same year, she directed her first short film, ‘The Space Between’, which went on to receive critical acclaim in the international film festival circuit.
In 2019, Adju wrote and directed her debut feature film, also entitled The Space Between. The film follows the story of two estranged sisters, who are reunited on an unexpected journey to recover their father’s remains. The film premiered at the Durban International Film Festival, where it won the Best Feature Film award. It has since gone on to be nominated for several other awards, including the British Independent Film Award for Best International Film.
Adju has also directed several other short films, including ‘The Perfect Cliche’, which won the Best Short Film award at the Toronto International Film Festival. She has also worked on commercials and music videos, and is currently developing a new feature film project.
Adju is passionate about telling stories that explore the complexities of the human experience. She believes that cinema has the power to bring about social and cultural change, and is committed to using her work to challenge preconceived notions of race, gender and identity. She is a strong advocate of female filmmakers in Africa, and is currently working with a number of organisations to promote and encourage more women to enter the film industry.
Adju’s work has been recognised by numerous awards and nominations, and she is one of the most exciting and promising directors in Nigeria today. Her work is bold and powerful, and she is sure to be a major voice in African cinema for years to come.
