On February 11, 2024, four films produced by four young Nigerian filmmakers who graduated from the StoryMi Academy premiered at the French Institute, Wuse 2, Abuja. The young filmmakers who had been selected from a pool of over 1,000 applications were trained in the art of documentary film production in France and mentored by renowned documentary filmmakers like Nneabue and Louise Monlau.
They were afterwards awarded N1.5 million grant each to produce mini-documentaries reflecting authentic Nigerian stories. The programme which has been on for two years and sponsored by the French Embassy in Nigeria is aimed at empowering young creatives and journalists to tell authentic African stories to bridge the perception gaps in the world about Africa.
The event had in attendance the French Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Marc Fonbaustier, Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs of the French Embassy, Judikael Regnaut, staff of thThinstitute, and creatives from various walks of life. It was a mesmerizing evening of powerful storytelling and impactful engagement which exposed the richness of Nigeria’s culture of resilience and dogged determination to excel in the face of unprecedented social maladies.
Among the premiered films, two were particularly outstanding in their provocative problematisation of the existential challenges faced by women in northern Nigeria suffering from cervical cancer, and a female Gynaecologist Oncologist’s pioneering efforts to change the ugly narratives one cancer case at a time. And the second films is the story of a museum curator in Lagos who is determined to save Nigeria’s history from going extinct by collecting memorabilia across the historical length and breadth of Nigeria.
Directed by the brilliant Annabelle Ayangbade, chronicles the trajectory of Dr. Aisha Mustapha, a gynaecologist at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, and a cervical cancer survivor who is breaking social barriers and fighting for women with cervical cancer. Aisha’s story is a powerful statement of hope and belief in humanity. Mustapha who attended the premier responded to questions, further highlighting her motivation and determination to save women from dying from the disease which she said early detection is the key to preventing many deaths. Despite studying in the UK, Dr. Mustapha chose to return to Zaria to make a difference in her community. She continues to advocate and encourage women to go for cancer screening as a precautionary measure to avert untimely deaths. She shared how her battle with cervical cancer strengthened her faith in her medical practice and determination to continue to impact humanity through her profession. Even under odious conditions, Dr. Mustapha performs surgeries on women while also taking care of her family. She hopes that more support will be given to medical facilities to increase women’s access to cancer treatment in Nigeria.
Chidiebere Ugbe, highlights the remarkable journey of Dr. Raphael James, an archivist and founder of the Center for Research, Information Management and Media Development (CRIMDD). Dr James emphasized the importance of documenting history for future generations who he said might not have an opportunity to know how their forebears lived if such histories are not documented. The beautifully directed film shows the various aspects of James’ day-to-day life and that of his family which supports him in managing the museum, especially, his children. Dr James is a telling story of passion, thinking for the future, and living for others. He uses his funds to collect priceless items many of which are already going extinct with most of them having never been seen by the younger generation of Nigerians. Dr. James is curating a legacy of hope for the future and inspiring collective action geared towards the preservation of Nigerian history and culture. As he stressed in the documentary, meaningful development is premised on a people’s knowledge of their culture and history without which they will continue to struggle to attain sustainable growth.
Aimalohi Ojeamiren which projects the struggles of young Nigerians and their quest to japa broad in search of better economic opportunities. It focuses on the story of a young Nigerian therapist as he prepares to leave the country. It is a metaphorical representation of the realities of many young Nigerians who are distraught with the dysfunctional state of affairs in the country and want to renegotiate their destinies through migration. It also examines the negative impacts of migration which result in brain-drain that stunts the development of the migrant’s home country.
Shedrack Salami, tells the insightful story of a young female boxer’s quest for athletic stardom and the travails that threaten her quest to accomplish her dreams. It is a formidable story of passion, resilience and commitment to one’s purpose irrespective of the repressive realities of life.
No doubt, StoryMi Academy mini-documentary films are a powerful developmental journalism pieces fostering conscious storytelling that humanizes our collective travails and desires for a prosperous society propelled by selfless and determined citizens willing to make a change however little. It reinforces the message that change is possible when individuals are willing to lead and that empowered youth are capable of rewriting the negative narratives that becloud their nation’s global identity. Through the brilliance of the young film directors and the evocative stories of their actors, a new Nigeria with endless possibilities is reimagined. These mini-documentaries deserve to be seen by the world, but in particular by Nigeria’s policymakers whose responsibility it is to create functional policies that empower young people to excel and contribute to the development of a better society for all. It also highlights the enormous potential in the creative sector waiting to be explored.
