Tell us about yourself…
My name is Wahab “Anuissavage” Anuoluwapo, and as I like to say, I’m a simple guy deeply passionate about creating films.
I’m a filmmaker based in Lagos, with experience working with brands such as Google, Red Bull, Xiaomi, and KFC.
For over six years, filmmaking has been both my craft and my driving force. I have a strong passion for creating—and consuming—films built around deeply relatable storytelling, whether in short films, documentaries, commercials, or other forms of visual narrative.
What inspired you to become a filmmaker, and how has your heritage influenced your work?
Alongside promptings from God and curiosity as guiding forces, I’ve always had a natural love for films and creative expression. Before stepping into filmmaking, I explored drawing and motion-based art, and discovering film felt like finding the medium where all those interests converged. Once I dug deeper into it, I knew it was where I belonged.
At my core, I love telling stories and expressing ideas, and filmmaking has become the most powerful way for me to do that. It allows me to communicate in a way that feels authentic, layered, and human.
My heritage and personal background have also had a strong influence on my work. I believe a filmmaker’s journey shapes their voice, and that lived experience often becomes the foundation of originality in the stories they choose to tell.
What challenges have you faced as a filmmaker of African origin, and how did you overcome them?
My advice is simple: believe in yourself and believe in your work. Your work is your voice.
You can’t pitch an idea to a multibillionaire with a shaky voice—it immediately puts you at a disadvantage. In the same way, you can’t aspire to stand on a global stage with work you don’t genuinely believe in. Confidence in your vision matters just as much as the vision itself.
Selah
What advice would you give to aspiring African filmmakers aiming to share their stories on a global stage?
Talent alone is not enough; you must compensate for an uneven playing field with grit and relentless consistency. You work harder, push longer, and stay consistent even when the odds don’t seem to favor you. It’s not just about being good, it’s about being relentless.
Africa is overflowing with legacies and lived histories waiting to be told authentically. Narratives shaped by ancestors, built on empires and kingdoms that still echo into today. These aren’t abstract ideas, they’re lived histories, cultures, and identities waiting to be translated into film with honesty and depth.
The responsibility to tell them authentically sits with us. It is our responsibility to own these narratives and shape how the world sees us through our own lenses rather than borrowed ones.
