USA and Nigeria / 2024 / 16mins / Drama / English and Guinea Bissau Creole

In the whimsical Alkebulan, an idealized society inspired by African aesthetics and the optimism of the 1960s independence era, Dr. Constance Moumie is a brilliant yet overlooked scholar who's been engaged to her fiancé, Sèyí Àjàyí, for eight long years. Her world is shattered when she discovers—in the most humiliating way possible, on television—that Sèyí, ambitious and charming, is secretly engaged to Princess Ada, the beloved royal darling. When confronted, Sèyí callously admits he has moved on, blaming Constance for being overly controlling of their 8-year engagement. Deeply hurt yet determined not to be defined by betrayal, Constance turns to her spirited best friend Bibiana, a woman renowned for fearless loyalty and undeniable sass. Together, they devise an audacious plan: publicly exposing Sèyí’s deception at his extravagant royal engagement ceremony. Uninvited but unwavering, Constance boldly interrupts the lavish engagement, confronting Sèyí before a stunned intimate gathering. Her actions dissolve the royal engagement, humiliating Sèyí and unexpectedly elevating Constance in the eyes of Alkebulan soceity. Instead of scandal, Constance earns admiration, respect, and the recognition she has long been denied. In a delightful twist of fate, what begins as an act of revenge becomes Constance's defining moment, proving that courage, integrity, and authenticity are the true keys to thriving in Alkebulan’s hopeful, vibrant society.

Abbesi Akhamie

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Abbesi Akhamie is a Nigerian-American writer/director currently based in New York City. She received her MFA in Film from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and also holds a BA in Communications from George Mason University. In 2016, she produced two short films, Samedi Cinema (TIFF and Venice Biennale) and Tween (AT&T Entertainment Project Finalist), which have been a great national and international success. Abbesi's short film, Still Water Runs Deep, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is currently being distributed by Salaud Morisset. Her short film, The Couple Next Door (2020), premiered at Aspen ShortsFest and won the Audience Choice Award at the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival. Abbesi was selected to participate in the Black Rock artist residency based in Dakar, Senegal in 202. Abbesi has been recently supported by the Princess Grace Foundation and NYSCA/NYFA. Currently, she is developing her debut feature film, In My Father’s House. Learn More