Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Fransis Jr. Kojo, a filmmaker driven to tell stories rooted in quiet tension—moments that may seem small on the surface, yet reveal deeper truths and human vulnerability beneath.
In 2019, I founded a film production company called Amazeng Pictures, which I chose as a platform to tell original and engaging stories that I write and direct. The goal has always been to craft films that give audiences the space to feel, to reflect and to carry the story with them in whatever way it needs to stay. I have always been a person of few words in the midst of people and as I grew older, I came to realize that this gift of storytelling also serves as my voice.
I enjoy both watching and telling stories that are open to interpretation, as they create room for multiple perspectives and conclusions to be brought to the table. Almost every emotional journey of my life has a film attached to it and that is how deeply rooted I am in this medium.
What inspired you to become a filmmaker, and how has your heritage influenced your work?
Growing up, I loved watching movies. From staying up late past bedtime to walking through the marketplace after school in search of the latest releases, film was always present in my upbringing. Yet, I never imagined myself becoming a storyteller until much later in life.
At a point when I stood at a crossroads, trying to find my career path, I watched a film titled Manchester by the Sea. By the time the credits rolled, I was overwhelmed with emotion and in that moment, it became clear to me that I wanted to tell stories capable of evoking that same depth of feeling. At the time, I was supposed to enroll in university to study computer science but I made the decision to step away from that path and fully embrace filmmaking.
I have been telling stories for nearly ten years now and I see no signs of slowing down. Standing firm in this choice has not been easy, but it has been deeply thrilling. I carry that same confidence into every story I tell, grounded in where it all began and how far I have come.
What challenges have you faced as a filmmaker of African origin, and how did you overcome them?
One of the earliest challenges I faced on this creative journey was the perception that filmmaking was not a sustainable career choice. While it certainly has its ups and downs, it is also a field that cannot be rushed. I have learned to overcome this by continuously telling the stories I believe in, trusting that at the right time, everything will fall into place.
As the saying goes, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Success is rarely accidental; it is often the result of being ready when the right moment arrives. My role in that process is to not allow my environment or limited resources to discourage me but to keep creating, no matter how constrained the circumstances may be.
Although the list of challenges continues to grow, I remain committed to consistency in every way possible. Whether it’s supporting my peers on their projects or developing my own.
What advice would you give to aspiring African filmmakers aiming to share their stories on a global stage?
No matter how small, just start. And as you begin, make sure you build a strong community around you of people who share similar visions and aspire to grow. That sense of support can be the force that pushes you to your extreme.
If you wait for the perfect situation before starting, you may end up waiting too long. When I began, I would call my friends and family, meet them after classes during my school years and shoot whatever story I had in mind. Looking back, some of those stories may have been a bit cliché, but they mattered because it served as a building block for me to grow. They were made possible by a community around me that believed in the vision and chose to support it.
Finally, tell the stories you want to see in the world and share your work because you never know who is watching. Filmmaking is an emotional medium of storytelling that has the power to touch lives, expand our imagination and create moments of connection that linger long on the mind after the screen fades to black.
