The Sickling (2026)
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.
Director: Gabriel Badejo
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Emanuel Ogbimi as Young Gabriel |
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Gabriel Badejo as Self |
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Modupe Okeowo as Mom |
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Stephan Zmijak as Doctor |
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Denver Donnelly as Social Worker |
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Diana Warmé as Teacher |
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Evelyn Breitkreuz as Schoolkid |
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Beatrice Cooper as Schoolkid |
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Marcus Nelson as Schoolkid |
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Eden Prazak as Schoolkid |
| Directing | Gabriel Badejo | Director |
| Production | Gabriel Badejo | Producer |
| Production | Diana Warmé | Producer |
| Editing | Jordan Kawai | Editor |
| Crew | Chris Romeike | Cinematography |
| Crew | Jordan Oram | Cinematography |
| Writing | Gabriel Badejo | Writer |
| Writing | Jordan Kawai | Writer |
| Production | Charles Officer | Executive Producer |
| Production | Jake Yanowski | Executive Producer |
| Production | Bob Moore | Executive Producer |
| Production | Mila Aung-Thwin | Executive Producer |
| Sound | Adrian Bent | Original Music Composer |
