Tell us a little about yourself...
I’m a storyteller as a person and a filmmaker by profession. I started out as a writer’s assistant halfway on the Africa Magic show called Hush and I became a professional screenwriter in 2018. My background is Television writing so I was in my TV bubble for a solid moment before branching into making my own short films, working on web series and now growing into more series, television and web projects.
What inspired you to become a filmmaker, and how has your heritage influenced your work?
The works of other filmmakers inspired me to become one. I grew up watching Nollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood, and storytelling made the world feel smaller. It made me believe I could appear in Mumbai and know how to enjoy chai and some naan. It made me know the types of meals they eat in Mexico, and it just opened up the world to me.
I wanted to create worlds and tell stories that’ll make people want that same feeling I felt growing up.
What challenges have you faced as a filmmaker of African origin, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for me is funds. The economy is not great right now and it’s made filmmaking more expensive. It’s not easy to exactly overcome them because we cannot slash the price of everything, but we are doing the best with what we have.
My goal is to continuously refine my work so when I seek out investors, they know they can trust me to deliver.
What advice would you give to aspiring African filmmakers aiming to share their stories on a global stage?
It’s time to stop thinking in an Us vs them way. Before seeking global validation, make sure you’re collaborating with your peers around you. It helps to find like-minded individuals who also want to grow and share the same hunger. It won’t be easy but once you find them, it’ll click.
You also have to define what the global stage means to you and that’ll help you navigate your path. If you don’t know where you’re going, nobody will follow you.
