The British Council recently hosted the premiere of 10 short films by emerging Nigerian filmmakers in Lagos. These filmmakers participated in the British Council Film Lab Africa (FLA) Programme, a training initiative aimed at helping them develop their filmmaking skills. The event took place at the British Council in Ikoyi, Lagos, and highlighted the creative talents of these emerging filmmakers who used smartphones to create their films.
The FLA Programme, launched by the British Council, aims to nurture and guide aspiring filmmakers in Nigeria. It provides them with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of filmmaking, offering them an innovative platform to express their creativity.
Yemi Daramola, UK Delivery Partner for Film Lab Africa, emphasised the importance of empowering young filmmakers, noting the global interest in African stories. He explained, “The idea is to showcase their talents and what they’ve learned, and by using smartphones, they can start small and demonstrate their potential to investors.”
The use of smartphones in filmmaking was a key focus of the programme, as it provided an affordable way for these filmmakers to showcase their skills. Daramola added that nearly everyone has access to a smartphone, making it an ideal tool for budding filmmakers to create and share their work with a wider audience.
The 10 microfilms, funded by the British Council, explore a variety of themes and genres, showcasing the filmmakers’ technical and creative abilities. Highlights include Temiloluwa Oluokun’s ‘Driftwood’, which tells the story of a young woman navigating the tensions between her Yoruba heritage and her sheltered upbringing. ‘Bottled Up’, by Tolulope Odebunmi, offers a fictional insight into the music industry, following the journey of an artist trapped by a deceitful producer. At the same time, Adikwu Lucy Hannah’s ‘Urban Hustle’ takes viewers into the heart of Lagos, exploring the lives of street vendors with intimate interviews and observational footage. Olatomi Falore’s ‘Home With You’ follows Deji and Anwuli as they connect over shared passions and navigate their love story in Lagos, while Fortune Animiokhali’s ‘At Fifty’ tells a compelling story of love and societal pressure.
Samuel O. Olateru’s ‘The Tragic Split’ navigates themes of love, betrayal, and redemption, as it tells the story of Segun’s struggle with split personality disorder. Peace Monday Shalom’s ‘Rage’ explores intense themes of regret and the human capacity for violence during emotional upheavals. This premiere marked an exciting beginning for these emerging filmmakers.
Other films include Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya’s ‘The Constipated’, a mystical tale set in Oyo State, and ‘Ekemini’, produced by Afahaene Winifred Allen, which tells the story of a resourceful boy who creates architectural wonders from discarded cartons. Each film reflects the filmmakers’ unique perspectives and storytelling styles, pushing the boundaries of traditional Nigerian cinema.
Brenda Fashugba, British Council Head of Arts Nigeria and SSA Lead on Creative Economy, expressed her excitement about the programme, stating, “These films have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain. We are proud to support these filmmakers in showcasing their work at festivals and cultural events.” She also noted that the programme aims to support Nigeria’s growing creator economy, particularly mobile filmmakers who use smartphones to produce content.
Winifred Allen, one of the filmmakers and the producer of ‘Ekemini’, expressed her gratitude for the programme. “Thank you so much, British Council, for the funding and support. This experience has taught me that nothing is impossible, even with the technical challenges of smartphone filmmaking.”
Source: INDEPENDENT
