Nigerian actress and advocate for women’s representation in movies, Amanda Oruh, has won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for her role as Pinky in the film, Lady, at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, marking a historic milestone for Nigerian cinema on the global stage.
The award places Oruh among a new generation of Nigerian actors gaining international recognition and represents another landmark moment for the country’s film industry.
With the achievement, Lady emerged the second Nollywood film to win an award at Sundance, following Mami Wata three years ago, further reinforcing Nigeria’s growing presence in the global film landscape. Lady is now set to make its European premiere at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), where it will screen in the Panorama section.
A UK-Nigerian 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 additional support from Level Forward, Amplify Capital and Sundance Institute. World sales are handled by HanWay Films, London.
Written and directed by Olive Nwosu, whose short film, Egungun also screened at Sundance, Lady explores themes of sisterhood, survival, women’s autonomy, and resilience within the sprawling city of Lagos. The movie follows a fiercely independent female taxi driver whose life is transformed after she encounters 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 ties to her past – was cited by the Sundance jury as part of an ensemble that delivered “exceptional emotional honesty and collective power.” Her portrayal has drawn praises for its vulnerability, nuance and refusal to rely on stereotypes.
Beyond the accolade, Oruh’s journey to Sundance tells a deeply human story. In 2025, the actress worked only twice and came close to leaving acting altogether due to financial hardship. Her Sundance win represents a remarkable turnaround achieved against significant odds.
Speaking on the film, Oruh said:Playing Pinky challenged me to explore vulnerability and strength in new ways, and working with Olive Nwosu was unforgettable. She is truly an actor’s director.”