Gina Prince-Bythewood and Thuso Mbedu Debut 'Children of Blood and Bone' Clips at Martha's Vineyard Film Festival
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood and star Thuso Mbedu unveiled never-before-seen footage from Children of Blood and Bone at the opening night of the 24th Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival on 8 August 2026 in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. Variety
The conversation was moderated by Sunny Hostin of The View. Prince-Bythewood used the stage to praise the novel's author, Tomi Adeyemi, calling her a "genius." The two share screenplay credit on the film, and Adeyemi also served as an executive producer.
Paramount's Children of Blood and Bone adapts Adeyemi's acclaimed 2018 novel of the same name. The story follows Zélie Adebola, a young woman with the power to command the undead who sets out to reclaim magic stolen from her people in the fictional kingdom of Orïsha. South African locations stood in for Orïsha during production. Mbedu plays Zélie, a role she began preparing for — stunt training included — nearly a year before cameras rolled.
The cast runs deep. Damson Idris plays Prince Inan, Amandla Stenberg plays Princess Amari, Tosin Cole plays Zélie's brother Tzain, and Regina King plays Queen Nehanda. Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo and Viola Davis round out the ensemble. Paramount has set the film for release on 15 January 2027.
The MVAAFF appearance was not the first look at the project. On 16 July 2026, the festival's Instagram account shared first-look images ahead of the opening night screening. Variety had reported earlier in July that the film would open the festival's lineup. The MVAAFF is a nine-day event — now in its 24th edition — showcasing work by independent and established African American filmmakers.
Behind the celebration sits a public fracture between the film's author and its production. In July 2026, Adeyemi revealed she had distanced herself from the adaptation and had blocked Stenberg on social media. Stenberg's casting as Princess Amari drew an outcry over allegations of colourism — critics pointed to the actress's lighter skin tone as a mismatch for the character. At the MVAAFF event, Adeyemi went further, announcing she will not watch the finished film. She said she left the set "hyperventilating and sobbing" and is "still being antagonized behind the scenes."
None of that tension was present in Prince-Bythewood's remarks, which centred on craft and admiration for the source material. The festival continues through 16 August.
