Four Things We Know About Nicole Asinugo’s “God Knows Best”

Following a successful decade-long journey as a multifaceted storyteller, Nicole Asinugo is taking a monumental leap towards directing. This leap has resulted in God Knows Best, her directorial debut film which isn’t your average grief story but one that offers a powerful, unflinching look at what it means to live on your own terms, even amidst  pain. The Nigerian film industry has, from Old to New Nollywood, been populated with harmful and patriarchal-leaning narratives and approaches to telling the stories of Nigerian widows. In these films and TV series, women have to submit to harmful practices while losing a sense of self and humanity. Rather than peddle this harmful storytelling pattern, Asinugo’s debut short film wrote a humanising and empathetic story of a Nigerian widow. 

God Knows Best had its first private screening at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival to warm reception. This film which unmasks the grief that quietly lingers around Nigerian widows and their relentless effort towards survival and economic independence defies societal expectations. And as the world prepares for the release of Asinugo’s film, here are four things we know about the film.  

Here are four things we know about God Knows Best: 

Nicole Asinugo Makes Her Directorial Debut 

After an AMVCA win for Best Writing on Living in Bondage, Asinugo is stepping behind the camera for the first time with God Knows Best. With this film, she builds on her award-winning reputation for sharp storytelling, translating her narrative vision into striking visual form. In this film Asinugo brings a fresh, powerful perspective into themes of grief, resilience, and the quiet strength of women who defy societal expectations. Asinugo is the founder and Chief Storyteller at Write Good Stories, a storytelling and development lab for Nigerian storytellers hoping to tell stories with unflinching courage. And, it’s that courage that lines Asinugo’s directorial debut project. 

Wini Efon Takes the Lead in Her First Starring Role 

With Asinugo’s God Knows Best, Wini Efon is stepping into the spotlight as the lead. Portraying Simi, a young widow finding her own path in a world that seeks to define and diminish her, the actress comes to the film with a quiet yet powerful performance. Efon’s performance embraces the depth and nuances of a grieving widow who is making the conscious decisions to take charge of her life. With the film’s presence at Cannes and her involvement in Akinola Davies’ My Father’s Shadow, the first Nigerian fiction film selected for the Cannes Official Selection, Efon is starting her filmmaking career on a powerful note. Now, she takes center stage, ready to shine in her first leading role.

The Film’s First Private Viewing at Cannes

In a beautiful twist of fate, God Knows Best made its debut private  screening at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. With the unprecedented appearance of Nigerian films and filmmakers at Cannes,  this marks a history-making moment for not just the film but the filmmakers. With the film’s lending of positive narrative to Nigerian widows stories, the film’s presence at Cannes is a contributing to global conversation on representation, women empowerment and financial independence. Also, it’s a monumental moment for both Asinugo and Efon, marking a new chapter for Nigerian cinema on the global stage. The film’s selection underscores its powerful storytelling and its role in expanding the conversation around African narratives in cinema. 

The A-Team Behind God Knows Best 

God Knows Best’s success lies in the special effort of the special team behind as creatives and collaborators. In their behind-the-scenes roles, the  incredible A-team has come together to bring this vision to life. From Kaliné Njoku’s evocative score, whose work on Breath of Life, a 2023 film that secured five AMVCA awards in 2024, showcasing  her gift of translating emotion into sound, to Daniel Obasi’s striking costume design, each and every element of God Knows Best has been crafted with care and intention. 

AMVCA-winning producer Ifeoluwa Fatogun and executive producer Osahon Okunbo have also been instrumental in bringing the film to life, ensuring its vision was executed with precision, depth, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Ultimately, God Knows Best is not just a film, it’s a powerful testament to what can be achieved when a team of talented, passionate individuals come together to tell a story that matters. 

With such powerful collaboration and shared commitment to creating something unforgettable, it’s no wonder that God Knows Best is set to leave a lasting impact on audiences, from Lagos to Cannes and beyond.