The Gravedigger’s Wife
The Gravedigger’s Wife: Screening Presented by the June Givanni PanAfrican Cinema Archive and Chapter
The June Givanni PanAfrican Cinema Archive (JGPACA), in partnership with Chapter, presents a special screening of The Gravedigger’s Wife, the award‑winning debut feature by Khadar Ayderus Ahmed. This radiant and poetic romance, centred on a family confronted with an impossible choice, was named Best Film at the African Movie Academy Awards.
About the film
Celebrated as the first Somali film ever submitted to the Oscars and winner of Best Film at the African Movie Academy Awards, The Gravedigger’s Wife tells a deeply moving story of love, sacrifice, and survival.
On the outskirts of Djibouti City, Guled (Omar Abdi) works as a gravedigger to support his family. His wife Nasra (Yasmin Warsame) suffers from a life‑threatening kidney infection, and her treatment costs $5,000—an impossible sum. Determined to save her, Guled returns to his home village to seek help, leaving their son to care for Nasra.
Scripted entirely in Somali and performed by a 100% Somali cast, the film is rooted in its cultural and geographic setting. With mesmeric cinematography by Arttu Peltomaa and a sweeping score, it explores the isolation of poverty and the brutal choices faced by those without access to healthcare, while celebrating the resilience of love and family.
The screening will be introduced by Dr June Givanni and Umulkhayr Mohamed, followed by an informal audience discussion.
This event is part of Building Community Audiences for PanAfrican Cinema in the Regions, a year‑long initiative across five UK cities supported by the BFI Screen Heritage Fund with National Lottery funding.
CHAPTER CINEMA
Times & Tickets
- Saturday 28 February 2026
