On 25 April 2025, ‘Spellbound’ opened at Golden Beach Cinema in Freetown to a full house, kicking off what director Uyoyou Adia hopes will be a broader conversation about representation in West African film. The drama centres on children living with cerebral palsy preparing for a spelling bee competition in celebration of their care home, and its Sierra Leonean premiere drew both curiosity and cautious optimism.
The film’s four young leads—Ziyan Fullah, Haja Umu, Hajara Jenneh Bangura and Elijah Wisdom—are all screen newcomers, and their unvarnished performances illustrate Adia’s commitment to authenticity. The drama also stars Ghanaian actor Majid Michel, Sierra Leonean actress Zainab Sheriff, Munachi Abi, George Gabidon, Manisha Isata Suma, and Abdul Karim Kargbo.
Behind the scenes, ‘Spellbound’ is a multi-company effort: executive produced by Hawa Bayoh for Hafas Production in collaboration with Sozo Films. Chris Odeh served as consulting producer for the drama written by Uche Ateli, lensed by Barnabas “Barny” Emordi, and edited by Obinna Nwali.
In a conversation with Nollywire, Adia described how she prepared for the shoot:
“I knew only the basics of cerebral palsy when I read the script,” she said. “I spent weeks distinguishing cerebral palsy from autism, watching videos of children across the spectrum, even testing colour palettes to make our sets feel safe.”
But behind the decision to tell this story — and to work with children who mirror the world of the film — is a personal mission from the executive producer. According to Adia, the idea was driven by a woman who’s not only a nurse but also passionate about the welfare of children, including those with special needs. She wanted this film made because she believes in these kids and their ability to be seen and heard.
Casting unfolded over two days of auditions in Freetown, where Adia evaluated seven or eight children with no prior acting experience. “Their chemistry surprised me,” she told Nollywire. “It wasn’t planned, but once they started reading lines, I knew they could carry these roles.”
That spontaneity brought its own challenges. On set, Adia balanced patience (“you can’t rush performances like these,” she reflected) with the need to keep a tight schedule—and to honour sensitive material without overdramatising. She recalls a Sierra Leonean mother visiting the shoot whose husband had left because of her daughter’s condition. “Meeting her”, Adia said, “was a reminder that this film isn’t about pity—it’s about understanding.”
Although the producers treated the cast, crew, and their close associates to an early screening of Spellbound’s blend of everyday moments and tense spelling-bee showdowns in Freetown, they are currently finalising conversations for a wider distribution that will land the drama on a streaming platform later in 2025.
Nevertheless for Adia, the real test has already begun: earning viewers’ empathy without sacrificing honesty.
