Y’all, we need to buzz about this! This incredible news from the film community. Sudbury native Alfons Adetuyi has wrapped the Ontario leg of his latest feature film, Dreams of the Moon, and honestly, this project has everything we love to see, stellar cast, authentic storytelling, and a young Black girl reaching for the stars (literally).
A Cast That’s About to Make Us All Proud
Let me tell you about this lineup that has me absolutely thrilled. Leading the charge is Riele Downs (you know her from Darby and the Dead and Henry Danger), stepping into the role of Lucy, a fearless young Black girl with astronomical dreams. Joining her is a powerhouse ensemble that includes Evan Ellison (She Came to Me), John Daniel (The Hardy Boys), Karen LeBlanc (Nurse.Fighter.Boy), Keith David (The Lowdown), and Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire, Chicago Med).
This isn’t just star power for the sake of it, this is intentional, thoughtful casting that centres Black excellence while bringing together rising stars and seasoned veterans. The kind of representation that makes my heart full and my expectations sky-high.
What This Story Is Really About
Dreams of the Moon follows Lucy as her dream of becoming an astronaut collides with an extraordinary moment when NASA astronauts descend on her small Canadian mining town. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Canada, this coming-of-age story weaves together historical fact and imaginative fiction during the charged era of Watergate politics, the women’s liberation movement, and the lingering echoes of the space race.
The film draws inspiration from the true events of the 1971 Apollo 16 training mission in Northern Ontario, because yes, that actually happened, and yes, it’s about time someone told that story through our lens. As Lucy and her friends navigate the complexities of their world, they discover the power of hope and the courage to dream beyond what seems possible.
This is the kind of storytelling that hits different when it comes from our community. It’s not just about representation: it’s about reimagining who gets to be the hero in stories about reaching for the impossible.
In Alfons’s Own Words
Director and producer Alfons Adetuyi didn’t hold back when describing what this project means to him: “This is the movie I’ve been waiting my whole life to make. Sudbury shaped me as a storyteller: it’s where UFO conspiracies were debated over fries, where neighbours from around the world built new lives, and where a little Black kid could look up at the sky and believe anything was possible.”
That quote right there? That’s the heart of why this film matters. It’s deeply personal, rooted in lived experience, and unapologetically optimistic about Black possibility.
A True International Production
After wrapping in Sudbury, the production is heading to Cape Town, South Africa, with South African co-producer Horace Rayners overseeing the local shoot. This international collaboration highlights South Africa’s strong filmmaking and post-production capacity while creating meaningful creative partnerships across the diaspora.
The project has secured support from heavy hitters including Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), AfroGlobal Media, and Media Productions 2C. The Government of Canada’s Creative Export Canada program is also backing the project: the kind of institutional support that signals this isn’t just a passion project, but a serious investment in Black Canadian storytelling.
Dreams of the Moon is distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures, with Cora Tonno and Lisa Di Michele serving as executive producers, and Sidney Chiu and Horace Rayners as co-producers.
Why This Matters for Creatives
Let me get real with you for a minute about what Alfons Adetuyi’s work represents for our community. This isn’t just another feel-good story about dreams coming true: this is about fundamentally shifting who gets to tell stories about aspiration, possibility, and Canadian identity.
When a Black Canadian filmmaker gets the backing to tell a story about a young Black girl reaching for the stars, set against the backdrop of Canadian history, that’s not just representation: that’s reclamation. It’s saying our dreams matter, our stories matter, and our vision of what’s possible deserves the big screen treatment.
Alfons has been quietly revolutionizing international co-productions for over 25 years. He initiated the first official Canada/South Africa co-production and has sold projects to more than 60 countries. His recognition as one of IndieWire’s “Black Filmmakers to Watch” and his 2021 Vision Award from Reelworld aren’t just individual achievements: they’re proof that when we invest in Black creative vision, the whole industry benefits.
For emerging Black Canadian creators watching this unfold, Dreams of the Moon represents a roadmap. It shows how to secure funding, build international partnerships, and centre Black stories without compromising artistic vision. It demonstrates that our stories can be commercially viable, critically acclaimed, and globally relevant all at once.
This is the kind of project that opens doors. Not just for Alfons, but for the next generation of Black Canadian filmmakers who will see what’s possible and dare to dream even bigger.
About the Visionary Behind the Camera
Alfons Adetuyi’s journey from Sudbury to international film producer reads like the kind of success story we need to see more of. With more than 25 years of experience producing and directing across genres: from features to documentaries, drama series to lifestyle programming: he’s built Inner City Films into a powerhouse that specializes in international co-productions.
His previous credits include High Chicago (Netflix US/eONE, winner of Canadian Feature and Audience Choice Awards), Love Jacked (theatrically released in the US and Canada, then streaming worldwide on Netflix), and six seasons of Skin Deep (Gemini Best Lifestyle Series winner). Recently, he’s directed for major networks including Hallmark and Lifetime, consistently bringing stories of love, resilience, and possibility to mainstream audiences.
What sets Alfons apart isn’t just his technical skill or business acumen: it’s his commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of his work. Inner City Films doesn’t just talk about representation; they actively amplify underrepresented voices and craft memorable characters that resonate with global audiences.
The Bigger Picture
As someone who champions Black Canadian creators daily, I’m moved by what Dreams of the Moon represents for our community. This isn’t just a film: it’s a statement that our stories deserve the full Hollywood treatment, complete with international distribution, stellar casts, and the kind of production values that make audiences take notice.
When young Black Canadians see Lucy on screen, reaching for the stars with the support of her community and the validation of her dreams, they’re not just watching entertainment: they’re seeing possibility reflected back at them. They’re learning that their dreams aren’t too big, their stories aren’t too niche, and their vision of what’s achievable might just be exactly what the world needs to see.
Looking Forward
Dreams of the Moon is currently in production, with the Cape Town shoot scheduled for later this year. While we wait for the film’s completion, what’s clear is that Alfons Adetuyi and his team have created something special: a project that honors our past, celebrates our present, and imagines a future where Black Canadian excellence isn’t just recognized, but expected.
This is the kind of storytelling that makes me proud to champion Black Canadian creators. It’s authentic, ambitious, and absolutely necessary. Keep your eyes on this one, family: I have a feeling Dreams of the Moon is going to be the kind of film that stays with us long after the credits roll.
For more information about the film and production updates, you can reach out to the team at Inner City Films or follow along as this incredible story continues to unfold.
Dreams of the Moon reminds us that when we dare to dream big and have the courage to tell our stories authentically, the whole world benefits. And honestly? That’s exactly the kind of energy we need more of in 2025 and beyond.
Remember, to keep on creatin’
Your content cousin
Sherley J.
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