By Joan Odafe
British-Nigerian writer Adenike Ojo’s emotionally charged drama, ‘In Hiding’, has been selected as a Best Drama Screenplay Award finalist for the Winter 2026 season of the Atlanta Short Film Festival.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awards presentation scheduled to hold on Monday at Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., will compete among top entries recognised for compelling storytelling and emotional depth.
The feat marks a significant international milestone for the culturally rooted story that explores autism, motherhood and societal pressure.
Originally developed as a stage play set in Nigerian high society, “In Hiding” turns a cultural lens on autism within the African community, challenging stigma and promoting empathy while exploring themes of maternal love, identity and tradition.
‘In Hiding’ follows Bimpe DaCosta, an ambitious marketing executive navigating the glittering but demanding world of Lagos high society while raising her 10-year-old autistic son, Olaolu.
Forced out of a self-imposed isolation to attend an extravagant Lagos party, Bimpe confronts the tension between cultural expectations, personal ambition and the quiet struggle of accepting her child’s condition.
The story examines parental denial, social pressure and the courage required to embrace difference, unfolding through a deeply human lens that highlights the emotional realities faced by families dealing with autism in culturally conservative environments.
Ojo, born and raised in Hackney, London, gained international recognition after winning Best Playwright at the 2023 Black British Theatre Awards for ‘In Hiding’, establishing her as a rising voice in African diaspora storytelling.
The project was also shortlisted for the 2022–2023 VAULT Five mentoring programme, further strengthening its creative development and expanding its global reach.
With its selection by the Atlanta Short Film Festival judges, ‘In Hiding’ continues to gain international attention, reinforcing Ojo’s growing reputation as a playwright and screenwriter committed to socially conscious African-centered storytelling. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Folasade Adeniran
