Akoni (film)

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Akoni
Directed byGenna Chanelle Hayes
Written byGenna Chanelle Hayes
Produced byGenna Chanelle Hayes
StarringKit Esuruoso
Genna Chanelle Hayes
CinematographyCalum Stewart
Edited byRodrigo Balart
Music byMaria Alfonsine
Release date
  • 2021 (2021)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Akoni is a 2021 Australian romantic drama film created by Genna Chanelle Hayes and starring Kit Esuruoso and Chanelle Hayes. It was filmed in Sydney and Ghana with production in Australia, Ghana, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. [1] It was created to raise awareness of the impact Boko Haram was having in West Africa. [2] It debuted in Augusta as part of CinefestOz Film Festival in August 2021. [3] It got a cinema release in June 2022 for Refugee Week. [4]

Contents

Plot

Cast

Reception

Rebecca Wu in Glam Adelaide gave it 5 stars and wrote "Appealing to a wide audience, Akoni’s powerful message is subtly delivered by the plot, starring two lead characters from opposite worlds, yet with strong character development that portrays just how alike they are." [5] In Sydney Arts Guide Richard Cotter says "Without shying away from the negative truths of Australian society, AKONI aims to pursue the positives, with violence and provocation, although pivotal plot points, overshadowed by benevolence and healing. Hayes’ writing is spare, her sense of mise en scene a strong suit in let the picture tell the story." [6]

Awards

References

  1. Kornits, Dov (2021), "Genna Chanelle Hayes Goes West with AKONI", Film Ink
  2. Keast, Jackie (22 August 2025), "Genna Chanelle Hayes' 'Akoni' is an indie labour of love", If
  3. Kornits, Dov (9 July 2021), "Aussie films are up at CinefestOZ", Busselton Dunsborough Mail
  4. Hobday, Liz (9 June 2022), "AlLobe story premieres for Refugee Week", Australian Associated Press
  5. Wu, Rebecca (8 October 2021), "Film Review: Akoni", If
  6. Cotter, Richard (18 June 2025), "Akoni : an impressive new Australian film", Sydney Arts Guide
  7. Keast, Jackie (23 October 2022), "More AACTA nominations for 'Elvis', 'Mystery Road: Origin'", If
  8. Moran, Robert; Thomson, Angus (24 November 2022), "ARIAs 2022: Baker Boy wins big on historic night for Indigenous artists", Sydney Morning Herald
  9. "Cinema & TelevisionRefugee Movie 'Akoni' Coming to Hobart", Tasmanian Times, 15 June 2022