Zephani Idoko Brings Lagos Party Vibes to Cannes

Cannes Moments Through Zephani Idoko’s Lens

The actress’s Instagram feed came alive this weekend with a series of candid shots from her Cannes Film Festival itinerary. Under bright Riviera skies, she posed against lush greenery in a relaxed linen ensemble, channeling sun-kissed sophistication. A second frame zoomed in on her morning coffee ritual, complete with a slender espresso mug and an open notebook—proof that even at Cannes, Idoko blends business and leisure. Closing out the carousel was a silhouette shot by the sea, her profile framed by waves as she takes a moment of reflection before attending a screening.

Obis House Throws A Lagos-inspired After-party

Idoko’s caption, “Stuff and things (+ an epic Lagos party) at Cannes 🌿✨,” hinted at a special cross-cultural celebration—and her followers were not disappointed. That evening, OBIS House, the creative collective co-founded by friends and collaborators, transformed a private villa into a tropical oasis. Towering palms, woven lanterns and DJ sets pulsing with Afrobeat energy turned south of France into a slice of Lagos. Guests sipped hibiscus-infused cocktails and feasted on jollof rice stations while conversations ranged from digital storytelling to the next wave of African cinema.

From The Unsettling To Global Screenings

While Cannes offers photo ops and poolside chats, Idoko’s real headline this year is her role in the horror feature The Unsettling. In December, she sat down with OkayAfrica to discuss the film’s themes of memory and diaspora, and teased that it hits select theaters, Prime Video and Apple TV on February 10. “This project pushed me creatively in ways I never expected,” she told the outlet. “Bringing my own heritage into a genre piece was both challenging and deeply rewarding.” With festival buzz building, her Cannes appearance signals that horror fans and festival jurors alike have a new talent to watch.

Between screenings, Idoko mingled with peers, sharing throwback anecdotes from New York Fashion Week where she modeled for designer Tia Adeola alongside her twin. An earlier birthday post, shot on location for an undisclosed film, saw her celebrating personal milestones with a heartfelt caption: “Happy Birthday to meee 😌 This year I get the special blessing that’s celebrating on location, shooting in a beautiful country, with a great team and having accomplished my main personal goal for this past year of my life. I’m really grateful ✨.”

Industry insiders in Cannes allege that Idoko has several unannounced projects on the horizon, including a streaming collaboration set to spotlight emerging voices from West Africa. While representatives have yet to confirm details, sources say the series aims to blend music, dance and spoken word—a format that would align with Idoko’s own multimedia interests.

For many attendees, Zephani Idoko’s presence underscores a broader shift at Cannes toward amplifying African talent. Whether she’s at a press junket for a prestige screening or dancing under fairy lights with friends, she exemplifies a generation of artists redefining global storytelling. Fans who have followed her since her debut on British short films will recognize the arc—from early festival shorts to this moment on the Riviera.

Closing her post, Idoko tagged several collaborators, including photographer Andy Brown (@andybrown.photography) and set designer Obinna Chukwu of OBIS House (@obishouse). Comments poured in praising the electric mood: “Lagos meets Cannes—love this!” wrote one follower, while another added, “Your energy is contagious, queen.”

As the Cannes Film Festival continues into its second week, Zephani Idoko’s updates remind us that the carpet is only half the story. Off-screen gatherings, cultural exchanges and personal reflections paint a fuller picture of a young artist at the crossroads of heritage and ambition—dancing to the beat of her own narrative under the Riviera moonlight.

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Sakshi

 

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.

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