As Nigeria once again confronts the realities of child abuse and gender-based violence through the renewed #JusticeForOchanya movement, Dry, the award-winning film directed by and starring Stephanie Linus, has resurfaced as a compelling cultural reflection of the ongoing crisis.
A searing social drama, Dry tells the parallel stories of Dr. Zara, a successful African doctor grappling with a painful past, and Halima, a 13-year-old forced into marriage with a 60-year-old man in a rural community.
In light of the renewed outcry for justice following Ochanya Ogbanje’s story, a 13-year-old who died in 2018 after suffering years of sexual abuse, Dry serves as both an artistic and social statement.
“Dry was created to spark conversation and empathy, but most importantly, to drive change,” said Stephanie Linus, the film’s director and executive producer.
Since its release, Dry has received critical acclaim, winning AMVCA Award for Best Overall Movie in Africa , the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Nigerian Film and Best Young Actor, Won Programmer’s Award Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), Best Protagonist at the Bentonville Film Festival among other honours. The film’s renewed attention in 2025 emphasises the power of storytelling as a tool for advocacy and societal change.
With powerful performances, emotional depth, and a call for reform, Dry bridges art and activism, reminding viewers that justice, dignity, and protection are rights every child deserves.
Dry is produced and directed by Stephanie Linus .
The film is now streaming on YouTube via Next Page TV
An inspiring true story of Zara, a successful doctor who lives in Wales, and Halima, a young 13-year-old girl who is about to be wed in the Northern part of Nigeria. However, as time goes on, Halima develops a disease, which she gets shunned for. Throughout her journey, she is somewhat alone until her path collides with Zara. The day they meet, their lives change forever.
