British-Nigerian actor Wale Ojo and Nollywood star Shaffy Bello are set to headline the international premiere tour of the thought-provoking African film, Lights Out, alongside Cameroonian actress Syndy Emade and other industry stakeholders.
Directed by Enah Johnscott and produced by Carista Asonganyi and Buh Melvin, the film delves into the emotional and psychological realities of memory loss and cognitive decline within African families.
The international rollout, coordinated by diaspora-based Check Sense Productions, kicks off on April 18 at Majestic Cinemas Bessenge in Douala, Cameroon, followed by a Pan-African premiere in Abidjan on May 1, and a U.S. premiere on May 2 at Phoenix Theatres Lennox Town Center 24 in Ohio.
Johnscott explained the film’s immersive approach:
“Through Lucas’s perspective, viewers experience a mind struggling to hold onto reality, inviting empathy before judgment. What seems like a conspiracy gradually reveals confusion — reflecting the emotional truth of cognitive decline.”
Producer Asonganyi said the film draws from real-life experiences of families managing dementia with limited resources, while co-producer Melvin highlighted its goal to foster awareness and dialogue:
“Lights Out is intended to spark conversations that move beyond fear and toward awareness and care,” he said.
Lights Out has already screened at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival and the ORION International Film Festival, where it was a finalist for Best Feature Narrative. It also featured at the Abuja International Film Festival, earning multiple nominations, including Best Cinematography.
