FREEDOM
A S I A R A I N E Y - A N I
A Film Directed by Nabila Lester
Freedom, a stunning visual and musical tapestry woven by poet, artist, and visionary Asia Rainey-Ani, has been officially selected for the 2025 Diversity in Cannes Showcase, a prestigious stage in global cinema. This milestone marks a triumphant debut for a project more than 15 years in the making—one that began as a whisper of ancestral memory and now speaks powerfully through the languages of music, dance, and film.
Freedom was directed by Nabila Lester, with Director of Photography Blaze Heru. Shanelle Amor was Freedom's amazing choreographer, and Karega Ani produced the original music composition for Freedom with Asia Rainey-Ani. For the official press release, please request by email: asiarainey@gmail.com
Follow freedom on social media
IG: @asiarainey.freedom
Past Screening Events
Atlanta | New Orleans | NY | Tupelo
Stay tuned for future dates!
FREEDOM FULL CAST & CREW
FREEDOM CREW
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Directed by Nabila Lester
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Executive Producers
Asia Rainey-Ani & Nabila Lester
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Film Written By
Nabila Lester & Asia Rainey-Ani
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Freedom Song Written & Arranged By
Asia Rainey-Ani
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Freedom Song Music Produced By
Karega Ani & Asia Rainey-Ani
Director of Photography
Blaze Heru
Producers
Colette Minter & Nabila Lester
Co-Producer
Jaymes Kendrick
Choreographer
Shanelle Amor
Film Editor
Diego Gonzalez Castaneda
SFX Supervisor
Jesse Winter
Wardrobe Design & Lead Stylist
Megan Elizabeth Smith
Asia Rainey-Ani’s Wardrobe Design
Terrisa J. Flowers
Megan Elizabeth Smith
Asia Rainey-Ani’s Production Assistant
Adrea “Adetutu” Curry
Production Designer
Sarah ‘SJ’ Thomas
1st Assistant Camera
Rachel Taylor
Camera PA
Karega Allen
Chief Lighting Technician
A. King Solomon II
Key Grip
Jephry Milloy
G & E Swing
Dion Tarver
Jerrai Burns
Key PA
Jaymes Kendrick
Makeup
Rontrice Reynolds
Asia Rainey-Ani’s Hair
Andriana Easterling
Mist Muhammad
Jewelry Design
The Ani Collection – Karega Ani
Curly Quintessa - Adrea “Adetutu” Curry
Style Assistants
Colette Minter
Naecia Dixon
Aaliyah Peterson
Casting
Raeya Ponugoti
Casting Assistant
Jaymes Kendrick
Catering & Craft Services
Jaymes Kendrick
Music Mixed by
MJ Baldwin
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Music Mastered by
Landr
FREEDOM CAST
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Starring
Asia Rainey-Ani
Oluwanifemi Ajaye
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Divine Dancers
Shanelle Amor
Ase Freed
Marcus Coleman
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The Great Unknown
Jadon Murad
The Divine
Simone Ford
Jessica Agalaba
Bedilu Greene
The Ancestors
Ifa B Idan
Mudiwa Mbele
Constance West
Kathy Roberts
Harry Jaudon Bowen
Iva Ambush
Divine Drummers
Karega Ani
Karega Allen
SPECIAL THANKS!!
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SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) ATL
The Brevard Family Foundation
Dr. G. Love & Deanna Downes
Ile Irosu Ka Members
New Orleans Poetry & Cultural Arts Community
Sugar Bar - NY
Cafe Istanbul - New Orleans
Link Centre - Tupelo MS
Black Dot Cultural Center & Books - ATL
Rosie C. Allen
Angela Narcisse
Joe Ayinde
Sula Spirit
Abiodun Oyewole
Amy G
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Much Gratitude to Our GoFundMe Donors!
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