New Telegraph

Excitement As British Council Showcases Filmmakers From Its Film Lab Africa Programme

From Lagos to London, and the global scene, the British Council has continued to spotlight rising filmmakers in Nigeria from its Film Lab Africa programme, with the Film Lab Africa showcase season.

The showcase initiative is a key component of the British Council’s creative economy programme designed to put people and their creative potential at the centre of sustainable growth, shaping an economy that works for all.

After weeks of intensive training and development, the filmmakers who participated in the inaugural Film Lab Africa programme had golden opportunities to present their innovative and creative productions to the world.

There was palpable excitement against the back – drop of creative cinematic exploration and intellectual discourse, as 10 short films by the British Council Film Lab Africa Grant recipients premiered at this years edition of Nigeria International Film & TV Summit (NiFS), held at the Legend Hotel, Airport Road, Lagos.

The premiere of the 10 short films convened an impressive display of film making talent that seamlessly addressed a variety of pressing societal issues, showcasing their innovative and diverse visions of African storytelling through the short films.

Bold, heart-wrenching, inspiring, thought provoking, with deep human themes, the films – a powerful response and profound exploration of pressing social issues – tell stories of struggle, power, and integrity, and touch on the intricate complexities of the human mind and the struggles to escape the constraints imposed by one’s environment, culture, and inner turmoil.

Funded by the British Council, the films showcase the remarkable talents that abound in Nigeria.

From ‘Salamatu’s Rhapsody’, ‘Ekun lyawo’, ‘She Sees’, to ‘Toll Free’, ‘Shadows of Redemption’, ‘Blood and Rope’, ‘Ireti’, Ralia’s Secret, ‘Femi: Love Me’, and ‘N.E.P.A (Never Expect Power Always)’, these 10 exceptional short films, created under the guidance of seasoned mentors, not only highlight the diverse stories of Nigeria but also resonate with a global audience.

While ‘Salamatu’s Rhapsody’ by Shimataver Igbawua is an exploration of tradition versus modernity in Northern Kaduna, seen through the lens of a young hip-hop enthusiast, Moses Ipadeola’s ‘Ekun lyawo’ unveils a diabolical Balogun’s fate, hinging on bridal tears in a gripping tale of rituals and suspense. This story weaves together elements of tradition, fear, and mystery to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Mel Rouge’s ‘Toll Free’ is a gripping narrative that touches on the intricate complexities of the human mind and the struggles to escape the constraints imposed by one’s environment, culture, and inner turmoil, while ‘Toll Free’, spearheaded by Mel-Rouge,  and featuring a stellar cast including Michelle Dede, Ibrahim Suleiman, and Uzoamaka Onuoha, tells a compelling story of connection and discovery, highlighting Mel-Rouge’s innovative vision.

‘Shadows of Redemption’ by Jemima Pearl Marcel-Udo is a poignant drama about a seamstress’s fight for healing and justice in Nigeria. Adunni, portrayed with raw emotion, confronts her haunting past amidst the vibrant colours of her Ankara designs. Supported by her steadfast friend Bukunmi and loyal brother Akande, Adunni embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, guided by the wisdom of village elder Iya Tunde. This film promises to resonate deeply, showcasing Adunni’s courage to reclaim her voice and find hope in the face of adversity.

Twamsen Danaan’s ‘Blood and Rope’ is a gripping tale of passion and identity set in Kano’s spare parts market. This film explores the complexities of self-discovery and the struggle to find one’s place in a bustling, chaotic environment.

Faustina Okomayin’s Ralia’s Secret, featuring Norbert Young, Gloria Young, and Michael Ejoor, is a captivating story of hidden truths and personal discovery. This film, crafted under the mentorship of industry veterans, showcases Faustina’s unique storytelling prowess.

‘Femi: Love Me’, starring Stephanie Coker and directed by Tolu Ajayi, renowned for his film “Over the Bridge,” is a psycho-thriller that promises to captivate audiences with its intense storyline and dynamic characters. This film explores themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of human relationships.

‘N.E.P.A (Never Expect Power Always)’ by Anyanwu Sandra Adaora is an intense drama exploring love, desperation, and vengeance amidst Nigeria’s power crisis. This gripping tale reflects the harsh realities and emotional turmoil experienced by many in the country.

As these short films move into the post-production stage, they stand as a testament to the talent and creativity flourishing within Nigeria’s film industry.

Significantly, a major feature of this is the release of two groundbreaking films: ‘Ireti’ and ‘She Sees’. These films, funded by the British Council’s Film Lab Africa, not only highlight themes of resilience of the human spirit, justice, empowerment, complexity of human emotion and challenges.

‘Ireti’, directed and produced by Temiloluwa Ami-Williams, draws from the filmmaker’s personal journey of surviving cancer in Lagos. It chronicles a young designer’s battle with cancer and her family’s unwavering support. Set in Lagos, this heartfelt journey of resilience and hope showcases the strength and determination of its protagonist. The story, inspired by true events, centres on Iyanu, a passionate costume designer whose world comes crashing down after a cancer diagnosis. As she takes the arduous journey through chemotherapy and the emotional weight of uncertainty, she finds solace and strength in her family’s staunch support.

Says Ami-Williams: “Getting the chance to produce and direct my own life’s story through Ireti has been the most surreal experience of my life. This film is my honest attempt at sharing a cancer survival story of a person who was diagnosed and treated in Nigeria, with the sole purpose of inspiring hope in the lives of everyone who would watch it.”

‘She Sees’, directed by Akah Nnani and featuring Ronke Oshodi, tells the story of Rinu, a bright and determined blind woman from Ajegunle, as she navigates her life and grapples with deep-seated trauma, and thus bring to the fore, the disturbing issues of sexual violence and gender based violence cases.

Highlight of the event include panel sessions and screenings. The event, which had in attendance, notable filmmakers, writer, critics, art aficionados among others, commenced with an atmosphere charged with anticipation.

As the audience settled in, the screen came alive, setting the stage for a night of intimately told stories. The standout feature of these flicks was their ability to tackle diverse societal issues with a boldness and authenticity that compelled viewers to engage and reflect.

The season began with a series of events across multiple cities, starting with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) Lagos, followed by the British Council premiere on Sunday, September 1, and will culminate with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) London and Film Africa in October 2024.

Speaking, earlier, on the idea behind the project, Acting Country Director, British Council Nigeria, Chilufya Besa, stated: “We’re incredibly proud to witness the Film Lab Africa programme’s evolution.

“By facilitating market access through showcases and premieres, we’re providing emerging filmmakers with invaluable opportunities to share their work on a global stage. This aligns with our commitment to nurture the creative economy and drive sustainable growth for all.”

The Regional Lead, Creative Economy SSA/ Head of Arts Nigeria – British Council, Brenda Fashugba, noted that “a significant component of our programme strategy is to equip participants with opportunities to showcase their work and expand their market reach. This phase amplifies their creative output and fosters collaborative growth within the Nollywood industry.”

Sukanmi Adebayo of Afrowen Productions, the principal delivery partner in Nigeria for this inaugural program, noted that “the Film Lab Africa programme has been extraordinary, enabling us to produce exceptional films that not only highlight the diverse stories of Nigeria but also resonate with a global audience. This initiative has truly empowered these filmmakers to achieve their full potential.”

Speaking with New Telegraph, Ami-Williams, producer of the film, ‘Ireti’, said she is immensely grateful to British Council for this opportunity.

“Thank you for the initiative; thank you for choosing me, because there 60 people and only 20 of us won the grant – 10 of which are short film makers,” she said, adding that her film, ‘Ireti’, is about hope against hope.

According to her, ‘Ireti’ was drawn from her personal life experience. “The title of my film is ‘Ireti’. It is hope against hope. I am making this film as agent of hope in the country because it is about surviving cancer in Nigeria, and the place of family, community and healthcare in Nigeria. So, basically, I focused on cancer because it is my personal life experience. I am a cancer survivor. I am a four year cancer survivor, and I wanted to tell my story of survival so that I can encourage other people who have happen to go through experience,” she said.

Film Lab Africa is a pioneering film accelerator programme by the British Council, dedicated to supporting budding filmmakers and TV producers in Nigeria.

This comprehensive initiative offers a robust framework of support, encompassing skill development, knowledge enrichment, and networking opportunities.

By delving into areas like mobile phone cinematography, short film production, industry entrepreneurship, and script refinement, Film Lab Africa equips participants with the essential tools to thrive in the dynamic world of film and television.

This three-year programme has already yielded impressive results, with the recent unveiling of ten exceptional short films that showcase the vibrant talent and diverse narratives of Nigeria’s emerging filmmakers.

Through rigorous training, funding, and mentorship, Film Lab Africa is not only shaping the future of Nigerian cinema but also positioning the country as a global powerhouse of creativity.

“The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

“We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

“We do this through our work in arts and culture, education, and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022– 23 we reached 600 million people,” Besa said.

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