Cairo, Egypt – February 19, 2026 – NEON has acquired worldwide distribution rights to “Clarissa,” a Nigerian-produced drama directed by twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri, marking a significant moment for African cinema and a new model for financing high-end film projects on the continent. The deal, announced today at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Cairo, was backed entirely by Africa-based institutions, led by CANEX Creations Inc. (CCInc), the intellectual property investment subsidiary of Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), and MBO Capital.
“Clarissa” is a contemporary reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s novel “Mrs. Dalloway,” transposed to present-day Lagos, Nigeria. The film follows Clarissa, a society woman played by Sophie Okonedo, as she prepares to host a party and unexpectedly encounters former intimates, prompting a reckoning with shared memories and past relationships. The cast too includes David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh, and Nikki Amuka-Bird.
The acquisition by NEON guarantees a theatrical release in the United States and international markets, with NEON International handling foreign sales. This partnership places the Esiri brothers’ vision alongside critically acclaimed films previously distributed by NEON, including “Parasite” and “Anatomy of a Fall.”
According to CANEX Creations Inc., production financing for the film was provided entirely by African-based institutions. Osahon Akpata, Chief Executive Officer of CCInc, stated that “Clarissa exemplifies the type of globally resonant, IP-driven storytelling that CANEX Creations Inc (CCInc) was established to support.” He further emphasized that the NEON acquisition “validates both the creative ambition of the filmmakers and the viability of Africa-backed financing structures for internationally scalable film content.”
Chuko Esiri, who co-wrote and co-directed the film with his brother Arie, highlighted the importance of maintaining creative and financial control within Africa. “From the beginning, it was important to us that Clarissa be both rooted and resourced on the continent where We see set,” he said. “Having African institutions back a film of this scale reflects a growing confidence that our stories can be produced from within.” Esiri also noted the deliberate choice to shoot the film on 35mm, aiming to ensure it “stands next to the great films of modern cinema.”
The Esiri brothers’ previous feature, “Eyimofe (This Is My Desire),” premiered at the Berlinale, won multiple African Movie Academy Awards, and was released by Janus Films, a rare distinction that led to its inclusion in the Criterion Collection. “Clarissa” is produced alongside Theresa Park (Per Capita Productions) and Nicholas Weinstock (Invention Studios), with co-producers Nina Gold and Thomas Bassett. Executive producers include Sophie Okonedo, Dolly Omodolapo Kola-Balogun, Osahon Okunbo, and Jason Reif.
The acquisition was negotiated by NEON’s Kate Gondwe, with UTA Independent Film Group representing the filmmakers. CCInc’s investment in “Clarissa” aligns with its mandate to catalyze export-ready creative assets across film, television, music, fashion, and other IP-intensive sectors.
