One Woman One Bra: Kenya-Nigeria Film Makes Historic Debut at Venice Film Festival 2025

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When the Venice International Film Festival (VIFF) recently unveiled its lineup for the 82nd edition, one of the standout titles came from Africa: One Woman One Bra. The Kenyan-Nigerian collaboration, produced by Nigerian filmmaker Josh Olaoluwa and directed by Kenyan storyteller Vincho Nchogu, has secured its place on one of the world’s most prestigious cinema stages.

The film’s selection is not just another screening; it is a breakthrough moment that highlights the power of cross-cultural collaboration in African cinema.

 

A Groundbreaking African Collaboration

One Woman One Bra is no ordinary film. Developed through the Biennale College Cinema, the project was one of only four selected globally, a rare feat that underscores its creativity, originality, and artistic depth. Shot entirely in Kenya, it brought together talents from across. This includes award-winning Nigerian cinematographer Muhammad Atta Ahmed, who is a VMA Cinematography Award winner and whose lens captured the story’s emotional intensity.

For Olaoluwa, producing the film was not only an artistic journey but also a historic achievement. “This is such an honour for me, because the Venice Film Festival is one of the most prestigious festivals in the world, and being the first Nigerian to take a feature film there is something I do not take for granted,” he said.

 

The Story Behind the Scenes

The production process was as unique as the film itself. Nchogu, making her directorial debut, crafted the screenplay in Italy before collaborating with Olaoluwa to bring the story to life in Kenya.

“We shot the entire film in Kenya, because that was what the story required, and it was such a humbling experience for me, moving to Kenya for three full months to produce the film,” Olaoluwa shared.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration across African borders: “It was a great collaborative experience between the Kenyan and Nigerian crew on the project. It shows what is possible if we unite as a continent and collaborate more.”

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A Track Record of Excellence

Both Olaoluwa and Nchogu are no strangers to international recognition. Their creative collaboration garnered attention in 2023 when they were selected for the Red Sea Labs and the Torino Film Lab, where they developed another project titled Fantastic Tale. That film later won the Red Sea Souk Production Prize, cementing their reputation as rising forces in global cinema.

Olaoluwa’s previous works have graced major platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and the Slamdance Film Festival. On the other hand, Nchogu’s projects have received critical support from Cannes, Film Independent, and Doc Society, placing her among the promising new voices in African filmmaking.

 

Why Venice Matters

The Venice International Film Festival, founded in 1932, remains one of the “big three” festivals alongside Cannes and Berlin. Its prestige lies in its ability to introduce groundbreaking cinema to the world. For African filmmakers, making it to Venice is a statement of global relevance.

With One Woman One Bra set to premiere at the festival in Italy between August 27 and September 6, 2025, the film joins a select club of African productions breaking into the mainstream festival circuit, setting the stage for wider distribution and international acclaim.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is One Woman One Bra about?

The film’s whole plot is yet to be officially released, but it explores socially resonant themes with a strong focus on African identity, storytelling, and representation.

2. Why is the Venice Film Festival important?

It is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals, known for launching award-winning films and celebrating groundbreaking cinema across the globe.

3. Who is Josh Olaoluwa?

A Nigerian-born filmmaker with works on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and Slamdance. He is the first Nigerian to have a feature film selected for the Venice Film Festival.

4. Who is Vincho Nchogu?

A Kenyan female filmmaker making her directorial debut with One Woman One Bra. She has received international support for her projects from Cannes, Film Independent, and Doc Society.

5. Why is the film significant for African cinema?

It represents a historic Kenya-Nigeria collaboration, proving the strength of African storytelling when countries unite to create cinema for the world stage.