A Warm Christmas” Selected for Cannes 2025: A Milestone for African Children’s Cinema

The heartwarming family film A Warm Christmas has earned a prestigious spot at the 78th Cannes Film Festival following a successful international run and a warm reception at Leeds’ Hyde Park Picture House last December, The film will be showcased on May 16, 2025, at Pavillon Afriques, a day dedicated to children's content. This selection marks a significant step for African diaspora storytelling on one of the world’s biggest cinematic stages. This recognition not only marks a significant achievement for the team behind the film but also highlights the growing importance of children’s stories in African cinema.

This film brought audiences a vibrant taste of Nigerian holiday traditions, through the lens of three siblings Ariel, Jaden, and Zarah visiting their grandparents in a Nigerian village for Christmas. The children, raised in Canada, initially resist their rural surroundings, but soon find connection, joy, and a deeper understanding of their roots.

As reported in our previous feature, the film resonated deeply with both African and non-African audiences. The cast includes Nollywood veterans Rekiya Atta Ibrahim and Bimbo Manuel, alongside rising stars Ruby Akubueze, Emeka Nwagbaraocha and promising young actors Lois Itodo, Omachonu Udalor and Kayla Udalor.

The film Director Regina Udalor, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jemimah Nyako Kukyem, shared her reflections on the Cannes selection:

“This opportunity to be at Cannes is so humbling and rewarding. The hard work and sacrifices made by everyone in the film project now get to be seen at one of the biggest gatherings of filmmakers in the world.”

She continued, emphasising the need for more child-centered African stories:

“Creating a children’s film has proven worthwhile. This showcase gives the feeling that we need to make more films for our children, irrespective of where we Africans find ourselves.”

Produced by Peridot Entertainment in partnership with Handcuffs Entertainment, A Warm Christmas has journeyed across continents from its global premiere at the Silicon Valley Film Festival in 2023, to screenings in Norway, Barbados and Leeds—each stop adding depth to its cultural impact and broadening its reach.

At Cannes 2025, the film's presence at Pavillon Afriques is more than just a screening, it’s a celebration of African family values, diaspora identity and childhood wonder. It's a reminder of the richness of African culture and the importance of telling those stories to and for our children.

📽️ If you're attending Cannes this year, don’t miss the chance to experience A Warm Christmas on May 16. 📌 For more on the film’s previous screenings and background, read our full feature from 2024.

Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight more African films making waves around the globe.

Incase you missed it you can catch up on our story featuring a warm christmas here: LINK