Nigerian actress and advocate for women’s representation in film, Amanda Oruh has won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival for her role as Pinky in the feature film LADY.

The award positions Oruh among a new generation of Nigerian actors gaining global recognition and marks another historic moment for Nigerian cinema.

LADY becomes only the second Nigerian film to win an award at Sundance, following Mami Wata three years ago, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing presence within the global independent film landscape. The film is now set for its European premiere at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), screening in the Panorama section.

A UK–Nigeria co-production, LADY is backed by BFI, Film4, and Screen Scotland, and produced by Ossian International Productions in association with Good Gate Media and Emperium Films, with support from Level Forward, Amplify Capital, and the Sundance Institute. World sales are handled by HanWay Films, London.

Written and directed by Olive Nwosu, whose short film Egúngún also screened at Sundance, LADY explores themes of sisterhood, survival, women’s autonomy, and resilience within the sprawling metropolis of Lagos. The film follows a fiercely independent female taxi driver whose life is transformed after encountering a close-knit community of sex workers navigating joy, danger, and solidarity.

Oruh’s performance as Pinky, a sex worker grappling with survival, agency, and unresolved past ties, was cited by the Sundance jury as part of an ensemble that delivered exceptional emotional honesty and collective power. Her portrayal has been praised for its vulnerability, nuance, and refusal to lean into stereotypes.

Adding to the poignancy of the moment, visa restrictions prevented Oruh from attending the Sundance premiere in person. She followed the celebrations remotely from Lagos.

Oruh is a Lagos-based Nigerian actress with over a decade of experience in Nollywood and independent cinema. Her screen credits include King of Boys: The Return of the King, Riona, Rattlesnake, and The Recipe. In 2019, she received an AFRIFF scholarship to direct in Lyon, France, where she directed the short film Three Faces.