Kenyan Feature Film 'Call Me Queen' Set to Premiere at NBO Film Festival in October 2026
The film 'Call Me Queen' will officially premiere in Kenya on October 17, 2026, at the NBO Film Festival hosted at Prestige Ngong Road in Nairobi.
In Brief
- •The film 'Call Me Queen' will officially premiere in Kenya on October 17, 2026, at the NBO Film Festival hosted at Prestige Ngong Road in Nairobi.
- •Following its festival premiere, the feature will open in cinemas across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda on October 30, 2026.
- •Directed by award-winning French-Iranian filmmaker Emily Atef, the project was filmed in Kenya using a largely local crew alongside an international and Kenyan cast.
- •Inspired by Lara Santoro's novel 'Mercy', the 1999 Nairobi-set story centers on friendship and activism surrounding equitable access to life-saving HIV medication.
Why It Matters
The release of 'Call Me Queen' highlights expanding international film co-productions in East Africa that showcase regional talent both in front of and behind the camera. By examining the stark inequalities surrounding healthcare access during the late 1990s HIV/AIDS epidemic, the film addresses enduring global themes of pharmaceutical access, poverty, and human dignity.
Key Details
- Kenyan Premiere Date
- October 17, 2026
- Regional Theatrical Release
- October 30, 2026
- Premiere Venue
- Prestige Ngong Road, Nairobi
- Historical Setting
- Nairobi, 1999
- Source Material
- 'Mercy' by Lara Santoro
Context & Background
During the late 1990s, high costs and international patent enforcement rendered life-saving HIV/AIDS antiretroviral medications prohibitively expensive for millions of people in developing nations, leading to widespread public health crises and advocacy campaigns across Sub-Saharan Africa.
What To Watch
The film will premiere on October 17, 2026, at the NBO Film Festival in Nairobi, followed by its commercial cinema release across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda on October 30, 2026.
Original Reporting & Sources
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