Sundance Selects 'Lady': A Lagos Tale of Joy and Danger

Olive Nwosu's directorial debut, "Lady," has been selected for a world premiere at Sundance 2026, competing in the World Cinema Competition category. The film, a joint U.K. and Nigerian production, centers on a young female taxi driver in Lagos navigating her quest for sisterhood and freedom amidst the city's vibrant chaos.

Set against the backdrop of Lagos's restless nights, the narrative follows Lady, who dreams of escape while driving her cab. Her solitary life is disrupted by the reappearance of Pinky, a childhood friend who has become a sex worker. This reunion draws Lady into a world of glamour and trouble, fostering unexpected bonds with a crew of women.

Developed with Film4 and financed by the BFI, "Lady" features a soundtrack of contemporary African jazz and dance music. Nwosu, a Sundance Lab alumna, researched the film by engaging with Nigerian sex workers, aiming to create a mythic portrait of joy, danger, and self-invention, honoring overlooked lives with integrity and community.