Indigo | Mar 2025
March is all about celebrating women, and what better way to honor them than by highlighting “The Sessions” a powerful drama that explores love, marriage, and the resilience of women. As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we asked a few questions to the talented female Nigerian director Judith Audu.
Your film “The Sessions” explores issues faced by couples. What inspired you to produce and direct this story?
The Sessions is loosely based on a true-life story, and what drew me to it was its raw honesty. Over 60% of marriages fail due to lack of communication, couples go from lovers to flatmates to strangers. Too many people enter marriage without addressing their traumas, only to unpack them too late, projecting unresolved pain onto their partners.
When I read Uyoyou Adia’s brilliant script, I knew this story had to be told. It tackles deep, unspoken struggles, the scars of a toxic upbringing, the pressure of being an only daughter in a family that desires a son, the fear of repeating parental mistakes, domestic violence, and the silent fight for equality.
This film forces us to confront the hard truths about love, healing, and the conversations we avoid. At its core, “The Sessions” is about fighting for understanding before silence destroys what could have been saved. That’s why I had to make this film.
As a female producer, director and actor, what challenges have you faced in the film industry, and how have you overcome them?
I know many women in the industry face real challenges, and their experiences are absolutely valid. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing professionals who see my value first, not my gender. For me, the work always comes first, and I’ve been able to balance my roles because I collaborate with people who respect skill, dedication, and experience.
That said, as a woman, I know I have to work ten times harder to prove myself. So, I make sure that when I step into a room, my knowledge, expertise, and track record speak louder than anything else. I stay prepared, I stay ready, and when opportunities come, I deliver every single time.
I’ve overcome challenges by being unapologetically excellent. I bring my A-game to every project, proving that I’m not just a ‘female’ producer or director, I’m a damn good one, period. I also surround myself with people who believe in the vision and make space for other women to step up, because representation matters.
The industry is changing, but there’s still work to do. My goal is to keep breaking barriers, telling important stories, and paving the way for the next generation of female filmmakers.
As we celebrate 2025 International Women’s Day, with the theme “Accelerate Action, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” imagine you had the power to instantly break one barrier for women in the film industry—what would it be and why?
If I had the power to instantly break one barrier for women in the film industry, it would be equal access to funding and opportunities. Now, you might say, ‘But in Nollywood, women are thriving!’ And it’s true, some of the top box office producers right now are women. Many of the biggest films are led by women, proving that against all odds, we are making waves.
But then, you hear a male counterpart tear down all that hard work by saying she succeeded just because she’s a woman. Or you hear, ‘Oh, she’s a great director, the film looked good… but who was her DP? He must have actually directed it.’ These subtle jabs undermine our achievements and reinforce the idea that no matter how far we go, we always have something to ‘prove.’
That’s why we need to accelerate action. Women shouldn’t have to fight for credit when their work speaks for itself. Breaking this barrier means full recognition, respect, and resources, so women in film aren’t just thriving against the odds but succeeding because they deserve to.
How does “The Sessions” contribute to the conversation around inclusion and the need for immediate action to break systemic barriers, in line with the 2025 International Women’s Day theme?
At its core, The Sessions is about unpacking hidden struggles, both personal and societal. It tackles issues that women face daily but are often dismissed, marital expectations, the weight of childhood trauma, gender inequality, and the silent battles of women trying to be ‘enough’ in a world that constantly moves the goalpost.
This film contributes to the conversation on inclusion by holding up a mirror to the realities many women face but don’t always have the space to talk about. It asks difficult questions: How do systemic gender roles shape relationships? Why are women expected to endure emotional labor without support? What happens when a woman’s voice is dismissed, even in her own home?
But beyond starting the conversation, The Sessions aligns with the “Accelerate Action” theme by showing why we can’t afford to wait to break these systemic barriers. The story highlights the urgent need for women to be heard, for past traumas to be acknowledged, and for relationships to be built on equity, not expectation.
Films like this are not just entertainment, they are catalysts for change. They force society to look inward, challenge outdated norms, and inspire people to take action, now, not later. And that’s exactly what we need more of.
What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become filmmakers, writers, or storytellers?
My advice will be stop waiting for permission. The industry won’t always roll out a red carpet for you, so kick the damn door open and take up space!
Be obsessed with your craft, write, direct, produce, learn everything you can. The more knowledge you have, the more unstoppable you become. And when you walk into any room, let your work speak louder than your gender.
Also, understand this: rejection is not a full stop. It’s just a comma in your story. Keep pushing, keep refining, and when an opportunity doesn’t come, Create your own.
Most importantly, build a tribe. Surround yourself with people who see your vision, challenge you to be better, and will ride for you and with you when the industry gets tough. Your voice matters. Your stories deserve to be told. So don’t shrink yourself to fit, take up space and own your power!
If you could direct a film in any genre that you haven’t explored yet, what would it be and why?
I would love to direct a film that fully explores female sexuality, the beauty, the complexity, the freedom of it without holding back. Women’s desires, pleasure, and even the unspeakable topics like menopause are still wrapped in silence, and it’s time to break that.
Menopause, for example, is a huge life transition that every woman will go through, yet it’s rarely discussed in film in a way that actually prepares women for it. Imagine a story that tackles it fearlessly showing the emotions, the shifts, the power that comes with that phase of life.
I love films that explore sexuality in its rawest form not just as a plot device but as something deeply human. I’d want to tell that story in a way that’s liberating, honest, and without shame. Because women’s stories at EVERY stage of life deserve to be told with the same depth and respect as any other.
What’s one fun or unexpected thing about you that people might not know?
I don’t know about Judith Audu and Fun in same sentence because people always assume, I’m this outgoing, social butterfly because of my job, but the truth is I don’t like going out. 😩😂 If I had my way, I’d be on my couch ALL DAY, binge-watching shows, eating snacks, and avoiding human interaction like it’s a sport.
But plot twist my job requires me to be out there, networking, attending events, and talking to people. So every time you see me outside looking all put together, just know there was a mental battle before I stepped out of the house.