Film  

Filmmakers showcase microfilms, laud British Council, Film Lab

By Musa Adekunle

13 October 2024   |   12:22 pm

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A wave of fresh talent in Nigerian filmmaking has emerged, as young creators dazzled audiences with microfilms shot entirely on smartphones. The event, organised by the British Council and Film Lab Africa, celebrated creativity, innovation, and the limitless possibilities of smartphone filmmaking. Held at the British Council’s office in Ikoyi, Lagos, the showcase featured a…

A wave of fresh talent in Nigerian filmmaking has emerged, as young creators dazzled audiences with microfilms shot entirely on smartphones.

The event, organised by the British Council and Film Lab Africa, celebrated creativity, innovation, and the limitless possibilities of smartphone filmmaking.

Held at the British Council’s office in Ikoyi, Lagos, the showcase featured a rich variety of films across genres, with each microfilm telling a unique story that resonated with the audience.

From gripping dramas to eye-opening documentaries, the young filmmakers proved that the power of storytelling knows no bounds—even with limited resources.

The filmmakers were full of gratitude for the mentorship and support provided by the programme, which empowered them to push boundaries and bring their visions to life.

The use of smartphones as the primary filmmaking tool was a standout feature of the event, underscoring how accessible technology can spark creativity.
READ ALSO: Film Lab Africa pitch: 20 participants receive British Council Film Grants

UK Delivery Partner for Film Lab Africa,Yemi Daramola said the idea of the programme is to showcase the potential of the participants in filmmaking.
READ ALSO: Grant winners emerge in British Council Film Lab Africa project
“Part of what they have learned is the use of smartphones to create short films.

“The majority of the films shot on TikTok are shot on mobile phones, and there are lots of influencers making significant amounts of money from those short films. That is part of what we are encouraging.

“The idea is not to limit yourself, not to wait until you have huge funding to make your short film or your feature film,” Daramola said.

Daramola encouraged young filmmakers to start with short-form films to develop their skills, creativity, and businesses, while also considering the broader goal of progressing into feature filmmaking.

The project manager for production, Arero Theresa, shared her experience, saying the programme was a new and valuable learning experience that covered all aspects of filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production.

She said: “The participants had to learn the use of smartphones to shoot. At first, everyone was like, ‘How would I shoot a beautiful film or content with a smartphone?’ They wanted something bigger, but I told them the idea is to challenge yourselves. They achieved that with the support of the partners and technical consultants.”

One of the participants, Tolulope Dalebunmi, the producer of “Bottled Up,” shared his enthusiasm for smartphone filmmaking.

“I shot ‘Bottled Up’ with my smartphone. One good thing about phones is, you can discover some angles that the camera might not have handled. There are some stories that you can get with a camera phone that you can’t get with a real camera,” he said.

Another participant, Temiloluwa Oluokun, showcased “Driftwood,” which tells the story of Ama, a young woman torn between her Yoruba heritage and her sheltered upbringing.

Gafar Ayinde Amoo’s “A Journey To Iyake Suspended Lake” takes viewers to Nigeria’s Oyo State to explore the mystical Iyake Lake. His documentary features breathtaking visuals and insightful interviews, delving into the folklore and spiritual significance of Africa’s only suspended lake.

The participants lauded the British Council’s Film Lab Africa programme, expressing their gratitude for the opportunity it provided to develop their filmmaking skills.