The Sickling

World Premiere

After surviving a lifetime of debilitating pain caused by sickle cell disease, Gabriel Badejo takes the greatest risk of his life by undergoing an experimental stem cell transplant in hopes of a cure. The Sickling follows Gabriel’s emotional and physical journey as he confronts systemic racism in healthcare, painful memories of medical neglect, and the global realities of living with an often invisible disease. From Toronto to Nigeria, the film explores the intersections of illness, identity, family, and survival while uncovering the historical inequities that continue to shape sickle cell care worldwide. At its heart, The Sickling is a deeply personal story about healing, resilience, and the fight to reclaim a future once thought impossible.

Join director Gabriel Badejo for a special post-screening Q&A.

Gabriel Badejo is a Nigerian-Canadian producer and director based in Toronto whose work spans commercials, music videos, and documentary storytelling. Over the past decade, he has built a career producing visually driven content for artists, brands, and cultural projects, developing a style rooted in cinematic imagery and emotionally grounded storytelling. In recent years, his focus has expanded into documentary filmmaking, creating work that explores identity, health, and personal resilience through an intimate and human lens. The Sickling, his debut feature documentary explores his lived experience with sickle cell disease and the broader realities surrounding the condition.

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General: $15

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