Producers behind Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton's new film Half Of A Yellow Sun have been granted an August (14) release date in Nigeria following a dispute with the nation's censorship officials.

The movie, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, tells the story of the nation's brutal Biafran War in the late 1960s through the eyes of its lead characters.

The big screen adaptation of the civil war story was originally due to hit cinemas in April (14), but the plans were scuppered after local authorities at the National Film and Video Censors Board (Nfvcb) halted the release for "regulatory issues", amid concerns the sensitive topic could stir ethnic tensions.

Bosses at Shareman Media and FilmOne Distribution met with censorship officials in June (14) to discuss the situation and it appears a re-edited version of Half of a Yellow Sun has won them approval for release.

The movie was awarded an 18 certificate, meaning only those over the age of 18 will be able to view the film in theatres.