Private Project

Water Girl

When Nkechi discovers that her daughter, Kamsi, is an Ọgbanje— a spirit child cursed to walk the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth, the joys of motherhood are consumed by a haunting agony that tests love, faith, and fate itself.

  • Nnamdi Kanaga
    Director
    The Hail Mary
  • Nnamdi Kanaga
    Writer
    The Hail Mary
  • Stella Damasus
    Key Cast
    "Nkechi"
    To KIll A Monkey
  • MoriyahFaith Jackson
    Key Cast
    "Kamsi"
  • Nnamdi Kanaga
    Producer
  • Jennings Barmore
    Cinematography
  • Reid Morth
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama, supernatural
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 17, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
    Martha's Vineyard
    United States
    August 7, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Flathead Lake International Cinemafest
    Polson, Montana.
    United States
    February 12, 2025
    North American Premiere
    Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Original Score.
  • Caribbean Film Festival

    Trinidad and Tobago
    June 12, 2025
    Caribbean Premiere
    Official Selection
  • British Urban Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 20, 2025
    UK premiere
    Best Actress in a Feature (Winner), Best International Feature (Nominee)
Director Biography - Nnamdi Kanaga

Born and raised in Lagos Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanaga is a multitalented filmmaker, writer, and actor. In 2020, Nnamdi wrote and made his directorial debut with "The Hail Mary," Montana's first film with an all-black lead cast. Nnamdi is an ardent advocate for authentic African storytelling and hopes to promote the value of cultural integration through his films. In 2024, he wrote, directed, and produced "Water Girl" -his debut full-length feature film.

Nnamdi also holds a strong belief that he will be the first Nigerian- born and bred, to win an Oscar.

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Director Statement

Water Girl is a supernatural drama film based on the "Ọgbanje" mythology. According to Igbo [ọ̀dị̀nànị̀] cosmology, an Ọgbanje is a "child spirit that repeatedly comes and goes" at will to the same parents through their secretly buried earthly treasure called "Iyiuwa." I am excited about Water Girl's cultural relevance, especially as a Montana-based filmmaker, I believe this will help contribute to the cultural diversity of Montana-made films. Globally, the impact of this film will help [re]introduce to public discourse the need for AUTHENTIC African storytelling and representation. Water Girl pays homage to the truthfulness of old Nollywood storytelling while exploring new horizons of modern-day cinema. I am also happy to be able to share elements of the Igbo culture- spirituality, folklore, music, language, and belief system with the world.

From an ecocritical point of view, Water Girl sort of draws attention to how we humans constantly "take" from nature at any given opportunity. Although nature constantly "gives", it is important to remember that nothing lasts forever and one day, everything will eventually be taken back by nature.