One Woman One Bra: The African Film That Dared to Laugh at Power — and Won at BFI London

When the lights dimmed at the BFI London Film Festival, no one expected a small Kenyan-Nigerian film with an eyebrow-raising title to steal the spotlight. But when One Woman One Bra was announced the winner of the 2025 Sutherland Award, the entire theatre erupted.

This wasn’t just a win for the filmmakers — it was a moment for African cinema itself.

A Story That Starts Small — and Grows Loud

Set in the sun-baked Maasai village of Sayit, One Woman One Bra follows Star, a young woman fighting for something simple yet revolutionary: the right to her family’s land.

In a world where inheritance belongs to men and bureaucracy wears a smug smile, Star finds herself locked out of the system. So, she does what most heroines in real life do — she rebels quietly, cleverly, and sometimes hilariously.

Her unlikely weapon? A bra outreach campaign that becomes a symbol of resistance, dignity, and the quiet power of women who refuse to disappear.

The film, directed by Vincho Nchogu (in his first-ever feature), blends humour, heartbreak, and satire in a way that feels distinctly African, where laughter and pain often share the same breath.

Kenya Meets Nigeria — and the World Takes Note

One Woman One Bra isn’t just a Kenyan film. It’s a Kenyan-Nigerian collaboration — a cross-continental effort that proves African filmmakers don’t need to wait for Hollywood validation to tell world-class stories.

The BFI jury called it “funny, life-affirming, and deeply moving. A film whose emotional journey stays with you long after the credits.” For a debut film to earn such praise at one of the world’s biggest festivals is no small feat. It signals something larger: a new generation of African voices speaking boldly in their own language and being heard.