Esiri Brothers Land Major Deal for Nigerian Film ‘Clarissa’

Esiri Brothers film deal secures CANEX financing and NEON global distribution for Nigerian drama ‘Clarissa’

Arie and Chuko Esiri, Nigerian filmmakers, secured a landmark financing and distribution agreement for their feature film Clarissa on Monday.

CANEX Creations Inc., the intellectual property investment arm backed by Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa, provided full production funding alongside MBO Capital, while U.S. studio NEON acquired worldwide distribution rights.

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Clarissa is a contemporary reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, set in Lagos high society. The story follows Clarissa over a single day as she prepares an evening gathering, with encounters among friends and former lovers reopening reflections on ambition, memory, and lost opportunities.

The film was shot entirely on 35mm across Lagos and Delta State to maintain a high cinematic standard.

The cast features Academy Award and Emmy nominee Sophie Okonedo, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee David Oyelowo, Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri, India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh, and Nikki Amuka-Bird.

The ensemble reflects the filmmakers’ commitment to global storytelling while rooting the production in African talent.

Osahon Akpata, CEO of CANEX Creations Inc., emphasised that the deal demonstrates the commercial viability of Africa-backed financing for internationally scalable content.

“Clarissa combines literary heritage, world-class filmmaking, and African production capacity,” he said, noting that the NEON acquisition validates both creative ambition and the continent-led funding model.

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Chuko Esiri added that African financing was central to the project’s intent. “From the beginning, it was important to us that Clarissa be both rooted and resourced on the continent where it is set,” he said.

The NEON partnership positions the film within a global distribution network known for championing auteur-driven and award-winning international cinema.