In a groundbreaking feat, Nigerian filmmaker,Collins Akpapunam’s documentary ‘Brain Drain’, has been officially selected to feature at the prestigious Marché Du Film, Cannes Film Festival, held annually in France.
This marks a historic milestone, for the critically acclaimed ‘Brain Drain’ released last year.
‘Brain Drain’ which premiered at the Ebony Life Theatre in Lagos on December 18, 2024, sheds light on the mass exodus of talented professionals from Nigeria, exploring the complex factors driving this trend. The documentary has garnered widespread acclaim for its poignant storytelling, insightful analysis, and humanisation of the statistics.
Akpapunam’s work has been recognized internationally, with ‘Brain Drain’ featuring in the New York Film Festival and the Silicon African Film Festival in San Jose, California. The documentary’s sequel, ‘Brain Drain’ examines the transformative impact of Nigerian immigrants on their home country, highlighting their contributions to innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
The Cannes Film Festival, founded in 1946, is one of the most prominent film festivals globally, showcasing new films from around the world. Akpapunam expressed his gratitude to Chike Nwoffiah, festival director of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival, who facilitated the premiere of Brain Drain at Cannes
Akpapunam stated, “I’m thankful to the cast and production crew of ‘Brain Drain’ without whom I would not have achieved this feat!
As we celebrate this feat, the sequel to ‘Brain Drain’ titled Brain Gain has also been selected to feature at the 32nd edition of African film festival New York and will screen at the Brooklyn Academy of Arts , Brooklyn New York on May 25th, 2025.
As ‘Brain Drain’ prepares to make its debut at Cannes, Akpapunam’s achievement serves as a testament to the power of Nigerian storytelling and the growing recognition of African cinema on the global stage.
