BRS Studios’ ‘Stitches’ will make its world reveal selected at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), marking Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s long-awaited return to cinema since ‘The Perfect Picture: 10 Years Later’ in 2019.
The Ghanaian filmmaker, second only to Funke Akindele in Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards history with 20 nominations and 5 wins, brings her flair for character-driven drama into a story set in Lagos’ elite fashion world.
‘Stitches’ follows Boma, a gifted designer from a modest background whose pursuit of love and ambition pulls her into glamorous but unforgiving circles.
The cast brings together Nollywood icons Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Regina Askia with new-generation actors Adaobi Dibor, Obinna Okenwa, Tosan Anyafulu, Jemima Osunde, Tomi Ojo, Chimezie Imo, and comedian-turned-actor Nasboi.
Produced by Chris Odeh, ‘Stitches’ is one of just 10 titles in TIFF’s Industry Selects programme, a curated showcase where films are pitched directly to international buyers. It continues Nollywood executives’ drive to position African stories in the same arena as global festival fare.
For BRS Studios, it’s the next move in an aggressive strategy to build Nollywood projects for both festival and streaming markets. Earlier this year, the studio revealed its 2025 slate after its debut title, ‘Tokunbo’, had already broken ground on Netflix, entering the platform’s Top 10 films in over 50 countries.
“’Stitches’ is a story about love, identity, and ambition, but at its heart, resilience and creativity,” Odeh said.
The film represents both a comeback for Frimpong-Manso after years away from cinema and a chance for BRS to test how much traction its mix of couture, romance, and cultural authenticity can secure in the global film marketplace.
