Shall We Meet Tonight (2025) is a 15-minute short film that delicately unpacks the emotional complexities of queer love in a society bound by tradition. Directed by Wapah Ezeigwe, known for Country Love, the film tells the story of a young woman caught between an arranged marriage and a secret romance with another woman. Set in present-day Nigeria, it challenges cultural expectations while celebrating the quiet power of love and self-discovery.
Cast and Characters
The film stars Jasperwills Ebuka as the conflicted bride-to-be, whose journey is both tender and turbulent. Goodness Emmanuel, Ugo Doris Igwe, and Uzoamaka Onuoha round out the cast, portraying characters who reflect the tension between societal duty and personal desire. Each performance is intimate and emotionally resonant, grounding the film’s surreal tone in real human experience.
Behind the Scenes
Directed and written by Wapah Ezeigwe, the film was produced by Vengiance Productions and shot on location in Enugu State, Nigeria. The cinematography captures both the beauty and isolation of the characters’ world, using soft lighting and close framing to evoke vulnerability. The film’s minimalist score and quiet pacing allow the emotional weight of each scene to unfold naturally.
Ezeigwe’s direction is subtle yet powerful, using silence and symbolism to explore themes of identity, repression, and longing. The film’s title itself Shall We Meet Tonight, suggests secrecy, intimacy, and the fragile hope of connection.
Reception and Impact
The film premiered at the 2025 BFI FLARE LGBTQ+ Film Festival in London, one of the world’s leading platforms for queer cinema. It was praised for its emotional depth, cultural relevance, and visual poetry. Critics highlighted its ability to tell a deeply personal story while addressing broader issues of gender, tradition, and freedom in Nigerian society.
Although short in runtime, Shall We Meet Tonight leaves a lasting impression. It has sparked conversations around representation in Nollywood and the evolving landscape of African queer storytelling.
Conclusion
Shall We Meet Tonight is more than a love story, it’s a quiet revolution. Through its nuanced performances and lyrical direction, the film invites viewers to reflect on the tension between duty and desire, silence and expression. For fans of queer films and those seeking emotionally rich, socially conscious cinema, this short film is a must-watch.
