Nigerian filmmaker aims high with new movie

A Nigerian filmmaker based in South Africa, Jeffy Uzoma, is aiming to break the box office with a new film project, which is already in the works.

Uzoma, who migrated to South Africa in 2013, has successfully worked his way up the ladder in the Rainbow Nation’s entertainment industry. He had in the first few months after his relocation, pull off the biggest event in his province at that time.

His journey into filmmaking began shortly after and he has been able to work on some of the most critically acclaimed films in the country such as the popular Pain in Love, a movie that sheds light on women’s abuse in South Africa; Driven, Pulane, Dangerous Affection, and Lost Lovers are some other South African popular flicks he has worked on.

Commenting on his sojourn and experience, Uzoma said, “As a Nigerian entertainer in South Africa, it’s been quite a journey and a blessing at the same time. There is a market in South Africa, and in Africa as a whole for events, filmmaking and music.

“I started with events. My goal there was to attract a good number of people to go have fun at a spot. With that I was able to make a living. It has also been a blessing to have networks and broadcasters being able to commission or licence our projects. That’s one thing that any indie filmmaker will appreciate and find it awesome that people see your work as worthy of commissioning or licensing.”

Speaking on what he has in the sleeves, the filmmaker said, “I have just finished scripting a couple of projects that we intend to put on video on demand platforms and we are currently developing what we believe will be one of Africa’s highest-grossing films ever. In addition, we’re developing other TV shows and original concepts. There’s one specific passion project that also involves several South African media personalities.”

“I’m working on the second edition of our annual live concert event, but this time it’s going to be a virtual event due to the COVID 19 restrictions. This pandemic is teaching us to adapt and embrace change at an accelerated rate. It forces us to seek new avenues and opportunities beyond the conventional,” Uzoma added. The Nigerian-born entertainer also has his hands on TV soap operas, as well as the award-winning talk show Life with Thami.

“We have been able to develop and produce a couple of films in different genres, one-hour dramas for television, soap operas. I have been able to write, direct and edit some of my projects,” he stated.