Self-Expression Through Film with Nneoha Aligwe

Speaker B: 00:00:00

You're welcome

Speaker B: 00:00:08

to the Naija Filmmaker, a podcast about Nigerian filmmakers. Their films on how we can build a diverse and functional industry, I'm your host Sele Got. On this episode. My guest is Nneoha Aligwe.

She's a photographer, writer and filmmaker. She also founded Africa International Horror Film Festival. We talk about self expression, her creative journey and her festival touring short film, Enyo (Reflections).

If you're a new listener, you're welcome and I hope you enjoy. Hi Nneoha. You're welcome to the Naija Filmmaker.

Speaker A: 00:00:48

Hi Sele. Thank you for having me.

Speaker B: 00:00:52

All right, you're welcome.

Speaker A: 00:00:53

So.

Speaker B: 00:00:54

So can you introduce yourself in your words?

Speaker A: 00:00:58

My name is Nneoha Aligwe. And introducing myself, I think I'm just.

I'm just a human being just going through life and expressing what I'm seeing through my works, either writing or film or photography. So that's basically who I am. Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:01:26

Okay. Which one came first? Was it writing, photography, filmmaking? Can you tell us how your creative journey started?

Speaker A: 00:01:40

Okay. It started with writing. I started writing, you know, as a child.

Speaker B: 00:01:47

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:01:48

And I don't. I was just basically writing because I. That was the only way I felt people would listen to what I had to say, you know, around me. Yeah.

So that was why I started writing. And it was also a way to. To just have someone to talk to as well. To just, just.

It's just because of, you know, like my background and where I'm coming from. So that's literally why I started writing. Then from there I, I got very interested in film because I was.

I was just that child that, you know, you know, television was for on serious kids. So they had to. Yeah. So that discipline of, you know, just trying to make sure that we are always watching either news or, or church programs.

So films and anything entertainment was just like, you know, we are not allowed to say it. So because. And nobody actually explained to me why I shouldn't watch films. So. Yeah. And then I got. Because, like, I'm a very curious person.

I'm highly curious. Like, if you are not. If you don't explain why I shouldn't do something, I would want to try it and see for myself.

So I started being very curious about film. So whenever all the adults have all gone to bed, I would sort of sneak out and, you know, you know, go watch a film in the night.

So I thought, you know, like, it really fascinated me how people just like, as in. Because I usually watch the, the end credits. And then it was just very fascinating that all those people actually came together to create a story.

Because for Me then I thought stories was like, I had to. It's just one person. I had to just form it because I'm, you know, because I'm a writer.

Like, like I write stories, but also having, like, you know, a lot of people come together to form a story, I was very, very fascinated, you know, by the art form. So then I, I think I, I. But then because of, you know, my background, everyone does. There's like a choosing part for everybody already.

So mine was lawyer. You know, my parents wanted me to be a lawyer, which I did. I mean. Yeah. Which I did. Yes, yes. I went to law school. I remember.

I remember my, I remember actually writing in my diary, when I grow up, I'll be a filmmaker. No, no, not I'll be a filmmaker. I'll make films. And I wrote that because I wanted to.

I felt like maybe any of my parents might see it and sort of, they would know what I actually want to do, because that was the point where I needed to pick, like, a career, you know. And then thankfully, my mom saw it and then showed my dad. And my dad, you know, he, he was very worried.

He was very worried because he, he, you know, since I was a child, I've always been, oh, you're going to be a lawyer? Like a father, you know. So I was, you know, that has been the, the whole plan.

And then hearing me say that I wanted to go and make films if it felt very like I was, I was not serious. But then he sort of, you know, also explained to me that I should just be the lawyer, right? I should just, you know, be a lawyer then.

Because, like, I'm still young. Then when I'm done with, you know, when I'm done with school, then I can, I can do whatever I wanted to do in my life. I said, okay, no problem.

school. And then I graduated: 2017

And then I, I told him that I, like, I'm done with school. I'm done with law school. And yes, and then during my youth service, I also worked in a law firm. And then, you know, I've done my service.

So really right now I want to, like, go pursue film. That I already, then, then I already had, like, an internship opportunity in Abuja.

So after, I mean, like, I told him and he, he was very worried about me, to be honest. Like, he was really, really unworried.

Because even then I have to remind him of the conversation we had when I was before, you know, before I got into the university. I had to remind him of that conversation. And he was so surprised, you know. But he. He just told me I should. I mean like, he will. He.

I think he just wanted me to. To. To also explore that. I mean, like. But then I don't Bl. What everybody knows, right?

Speaker B: 00:07:14

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:07:15

Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:07:15

What was his particular worry?

Speaker A: 00:07:17

His particular worries? That there is no future in it. That's even number one. There's no future in it. There is no. Like financially, right?

Speaker B: 00:07:26

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:07:28

There is no. There is no future like just gonna make films like you get. So that's where he's. He was coming from.

He was really, really worried that I wouldn't be financially okay. But then law already.

He was, you know, running a law firm and like everything was already set for me, you know, once I finished from school, I come walk. And then also because the profession is very respectable, you know, being a lawyer, it's like a big thing, especially in Nigeria also that prestige.

So that was where he wanted me to be. But I was. I. I don't think all of that fascinated me as much as making films did. So I didn't mind. Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:08:12

Okay. You finished your law degree, went to law school.

Speaker A: 00:08:19

Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:08:19

When did you make your first film?

Speaker A: 00:08:22

I made my first film in: 2019

Just trying things out and then I just called my friends and then because. Because I was. I had to save up for the film from my allowy and little salary I was earning then and then. And so.

So because of the financial constraint and also because I really wanted to just try things out. I. I really wanted to. Okay. I think that was.

rapher. I, like, I met him in: 2018

t was how we connected. So in: 2019

I think the film was Casanova. So I went to the set and that was the first time I was actually been on a film Set, Set. And I was so blown.

Like, like it felt, it felt, it felt like I was home. Like, I was like, it felt like this is where I needed to be. So, you know, working on the crew members, everyone felt like a military zone.

So I was so super fascinated. Then after, after that I just, it was just like a day I just came to see what a film set like. So I went back and then I said.

And I wanted to make a film. You know, I never directed before. I never gone to any film school.

All I was just doing was just researching on YouTube and just learning how to, how to make a film, how to direct. So, you know, I wrote a very short film of just one character, like a horror film.

One character, One character, one location, no dialogue, was to also have a very solid story. So I was able to create that with my friends because. And it was also because there was.

I didn't have money to pay a lot of people, so I just had to restrict, restrict the story like that. And it's, you know, I, I mean, like, at the end of the day, I liked what I, you know, what we created then. So it's interesting.

d then I released the film in: 2019

That was December: 2019

Speaker B: 00:11:36

Okay, and what was the learning curve for you on that first film? Were there things you struggled with or you pretty much flowed into the room?

Speaker A: 00:11:46

I think was that I really, really, I mean, I can't really say because like, I was working with my friends and they were actually people that knew better than me. Right. So the, so the cinematographer, you know, was, he was, he was already working as a cinematographer.

Then my editor, Peter, Peter Oga, he was already working as an editor. So it felt like they were also guiding me. Right. So I think one of the things I struggled with was working with the, with the cinematographer.

You know, he had like, I, I think like it was just my first time directing, so we were just having a lot of ideas clash. I didn't know I had to like even explain to him. Like, we didn't have any pre production. We just, I just called them on.

Like I, like, I wrote this story on, I wrote the story on. On Monday. I was shooting on Saturday. There was no prep, nothing. We just came to the hotel room with our, with our equipment. I just started shooting.

So there was no direct, there was really no direction. So it was, you know, then that we started, you know, putting hairs together, so it felt like doing pre production and production at the same day.

It was very funny, but it was quite fun. You know, I learned. Yeah, I, like, I learned how to explain. Explained my ideas also to the actor. Yeah, it was. It was a whole lot.

I would say I struggled financially. The finances, I mean, like, I spent literally everything I had for. But my friends were also willing.

I think the, like, the only thing I spent was just welfare, but then the shooting and everything, they didn't really collect any money from me, so.

Speaker B: 00:13:47

Yeah, because that was a good first experience.

Speaker A: 00:13:51

Yeah. Really?

Speaker B: 00:13:52

Yeah. Nice. So you went on to, you know, study at Ebony Life Creative Academy. How was that experience?

Speaker A: 00:14:04

Like, I had made film.: 2019

You know, like, there's a difference between wanting to make a film. Like, oh, I just want to make a film. And also I want to say this thing with a film, like, they're like, there are two different things. Right? Yeah.

So before Ebony Life, I was just saying, I want to make a film. I want to make a film. Right. So it was just like, I was just fascinated by the art form. Oh, I just want to make a film. I want just.

But then being at Ebony Life, and that was also the point I moved back to Lagos from Abuja. So being at Ebony Life and experiencing our Hod, Daniel or I, it shifted my perspective from, I just want to make a film.

I just want to make a film to what do I want to say with a film? Yeah, so. So for me, everyday life was very, you know, sort of transformed my view on the art form. Right. So that was what, like, personally, that was.

That was the journey I went through in a bony life.

Speaker B: 00:15:33

Okay. And I guess one thing that happens at film schools is that you meet colleagues and you potentially move on to work with them.

Have you, I guess, made the most of that since leaving film school?

Speaker A: 00:15:48

Yeah, I finished in: 2023

And then I actually, you know, gave. Gave correction. So I went back and, you know, worked on the film, on the script again.

. So after school in December: 2023

And the film is Annual Reflection. So I worked. Yeah. So some of the actors and the. And the Courier, my colleagues from Ebony Life.

Speaker B: 00:16:47

Okay, we'll come back to Anya, but I want to talk about, you know, when you kind of realize the kind of films you want to tell.

I mean, if somebody is looking at your filmography, they might say, you know, you love to tell horror stories, but you also have your documentary that is a bit different. So, like, would you say you have the kind of stories you want to tell? And what is that?

Speaker A: 00:17:15

To be honest, before. Before Ebony Life, I would say I want to make horror films. Right. Yeah, before life. But after your Bonnie Life, like, I realized there is no.

There is no. Like, I shouldn't be so boxed into one genre. Right. Let me do that. Yeah. So for now, no. So after A Burning Life, I don't have. I don't.

I don't have any particular story I want to tell. So after Bonnie Life, what I'm interested in right now is to express myself so I can be feeling different things that I want to express.

So it's more of what I want to express for myself than the kind of story I want to tell. I just want to tell stories that also feel true to me and feel true to really what I want to see as a person.

Speaker B: 00:18:08

Okay, so so far, what inspires the kind of stories you have told? Like, what speaks to you, what has. What has inspired you so far in the different films you have made?

Speaker A: 00:18:22

Okay. I'm very inspired by life. So I. For me, it's life. Like, life inspires me. I like to also throw myself into experiences.

I like to experience people, feel them deeply, you know, because I believe there's just so much. So much that life is the art that we all have to tap into. So I am highly, highly inspired by life.

So all my works are just like scribbles from my experiences, my personal experiences. Yeah, yeah.

Speaker B: 00:18:59

You said you like to. Yeah. Experience life. Can you tell us, like, your top three experiences so far in your life that have. I mean, if.

No pressure, but you can even give one. But, like, what experience do you hold so dearly that you've had so far in your life.

Speaker A: 00:19:23

Experience? I've had so dearly. So I would say, actually, I'll say the one that I really hold dearly and the one that's sort of altered me is my father's death.

Right. So my father died in: 2022

It felt like the financial pressure from society from trying to sort bills. So I feel like, like the pressure of that, you know, I, like, I got caught up with that. Yeah.

So after: 2020

ing care of myself. So. So in: 2022

When I went home for the burial and people around, everybody just kept saying, oh, that's as in because I'm the first child and I'm the first daughter. I'm the only daughter. So, you know, people kept saying, oh, it's time to. That I have, I mean, like I have to, you know, come back and walk.

Like really work. They don't understand the kind of work I'm doing, but I have to come and start doing something serious to take care of my family.

So that realization of, you know, my, my dad being gone and so it felt like he just woke me up on, on, on what I really want to do in my life. So when I came back from, you know, from the burial, I, I quit the job I was doing and then, then I moved to Lagos immediately.

And then, you know, registered at EBONY Life. So I think it was a wake up call for me. Yeah, yeah.

Speaker B: 00:21:49

Rest in peace. I mean, let's talk about the scariest film you've watched. Which one would you pick?

Speaker A: 00:22:03

I think get out. Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:22:06

Okay. What was scary about it? Which part particularly?

Speaker A: 00:22:12

I think you see that party, right? Like that party when I can't even remember his, his, his name.

But like being, I mean, like, imagine like, like a black man being in the midst of white men. And the way they were. Oh, and the way they were all looking at him. Like he could feel the uneasiness in the air.

Speaker B: 00:22:34

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:22:34

So I think. Yeah, for me that was, that was very scary. That was really scary. Psychologically. Not like to your face, but like that.

Speaker B: 00:22:46

Just the uncertainness of what might happen.

Speaker A: 00:22:51

Like, I could feel his. Ah, nah, you could feel for him. Yeah. So I liked it. I liked it.

Speaker B: 00:23:02

And how about the Sunken Place? How did you feel about that?

Speaker A: 00:23:06

Yes, that's true.

Speaker B: 00:23:08

Yeah, that, I mean that, that's a Bit, a bit bleak. Like just basically not. You can't see anything. You're just floating and you don't know if you make it out.

Speaker A: 00:23:22

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker B: 00:23:26

Okay. We'll talk about your mentor. That's, and you know, working with him as a collaborator on nu.

So, you know, like how, how did that mentorship shape you? Just before you, you know, collaborated with him on nu.

Speaker A: 00:23:45

I said his mentorship. Right. Even though I, I, I came to him for mentorship in film. Right.

You know, when film mentor or the person is going to teach her to make a film, it wasn't like that. So his own mentorship was. And I, and I think basically this is what mentorship should be. Right? Someone that opens your eye to life. Right.

He's not coming to teach us to be a filmmaker. He's telling, he's, he's coming to open your eye on how you see life. Yeah, right.

Because at the end of the day, the, even the kind of stories you tell, you know, reflect how you see life. So for me, that was, that was what the mentorship did for me, how it transformed me.

. Yeah,: 2018

And then, you know, during my ebony life journey, so it sort of aligned. So just watching how he, he also experiences life and it was just always very interesting, you know, to just talk about life and.

Yeah, so it made me wake up to life, like be hyper aware of my experiences and to pay attention because sometimes we just, we just move through life just, you know, on autopilot.

You don't, you don't sort of come down to experience like whatever you are doing, like do it presently, be aware, look at people, you know, just, and it's, and it's always so beautiful to do. It's always so beautiful. And if it feels, feels you up, like spiritually. Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, so that was what his mentorship did for me.

So the film, the film I had written that was after Opening Life.

So like he was the first person I gave the scripture with and I, I liked, I liked, I liked the insights that he brought to the story because it was about, it was about two couples that, you know, that, that go on a getaway trip and then they meet another ghost couple. But then they didn't, they didn't know that, you know, they were ghosts. And then at the end there's a reveal yes.

You now see, but to be honest, like, the story didn't really have that much weight. Like to just go to the hotel and meet Ghost. Like there was not much weight in the story. So over time we just kept talking about the script.

We just, you know, kept talking about the story. The story until it finally came together somehow. And if, you know, it had, like he had a direction. Right. So yeah, there was one day we just went to.

And then also to, you know, give you some sort of essence as well.

Speaker B: 00:27:10

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:27:11

So one night we were at. We were at Bogobiri. We just, you know, randomly just went to Bogobiri house at. At.

So we went there and, you know, just entering the place and this is someone like we've, you know, that we visit regularly. But being there that night felt different. It felt like I was seeing the place for the first time.

Speaker B: 00:27:44

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:27:44

I was looking at the artifacts, I was looking at, you know, the paintings there. It felt like I. And then it had. It was deeply Afrocentric and then. And then the broken mirrors on the wall. I. It felt.

Felt like I was seeing the place for the first time. So I told an uncle, Cargo, I just told. Told Cargo about the possibility of shooting the film at Bulgoberry and just there.

And then he saw what I was saying and we just started, you know, join our shortlist that night there. And then we went to ask whether they had. Or a hotel room in the plan place and they said yes.

Like, it felt like we just went there and it just aligned perfectly to the story. Right. Yeah. So, yeah, so that was how the pre production started.

Speaker B: 00:28:44

Okay. And what worked differently from, you know, your first experience where you were clashing with the cinematographer?

What worked particularly well in how you and Cargo, like worked on this project?

Speaker A: 00:29:00

Oh, it was, it's. It was, it was so amazing. I'll say amazing because I spent, I literally spent one day, almost a year talking about the story.

Speaker B: 00:29:15

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:29:15

So as I saw, even before the main production started, we had been doing pre production but like, but on a story level so that he too could understand the story. So as I said, I could understand each other. So. So, so it felt like I did one year prep. So the prep was really, really deep.

We were like, we prepped really, really well for the, for the, for the film. So even, I mean, like, even on the night, I was even on the eve of the production.

Yeah, you know, I was, I was still making corrections on the scripts and he was there with me and that we know. And we were rehearsing the scripts Together. So.

So getting on set was like, we are just coming to execute what we've been talking about for almost eight months. So it was just, you know. You know, it was so easy. So it was really easy. And I, I liked. I liked the preparation.

I like the intentionality of everything we did. Like, I really liked it. And I realized this is how a film should be made. It's. It's. It's like pitting, putting puzzles together. Right. And it feels.

It feels very magical sometimes, you know, So I. I really like process of. Of working with him. And that was like the big difference.

The deep reproduction we did so that they are in alignment, you know, during, you know, photography.

Speaker B: 00:30:55

Nice. I mean, well done. You know, Enyo is a really beautiful film. I watched it at Accra Indie film first some weeks ago.

Speaker A: 00:31:05

Nice.

Speaker B: 00:31:05

I really enjoyed it. Basically, the. The sound of the film, the sound design and all that. Like, at what stage did you guys decide how that was going to sound?

Was that part of your pre production or you figured that out in post?

Speaker A: 00:31:24

Okay, yeah, that was figured out in posts, actually. Yeah, yeah, it was figured out in post. So because of the apost of the film and also. And also the fact that it's. It's.

It has spirituality and magical realism. Yeah, yeah. Kago introduced me to Gerard. Gerard. So Gerard is a. Gerard is an artist? Yeah, he's a. He's a music artist.

And he plays oja, an Igbo, musical instruments used for summoning spirits. So. Yeah, so they call him. So I reached out to him on the film to. To get a score on the film too. So that.

So that we are also, you know, playing around with natural, you know, cultural sounds in the. You know, in the film. So I reached out to him for the oja. Actually, that was like the only thing.

I just reached out to him to get me the oja for him to just get me the oja sound. So I didn't really know. He plays other instruments. He plays op. Op is also a sound for the spirits. And then there is one obaka. Obaka is melody.

You know, you use it. Yeah. For all melodies.

Speaker B: 00:32:57

Are all these instruments like woodwind instruments where you blow into them or.

Speaker A: 00:33:01

No, different.

Speaker B: 00:33:03

Okay, what is. What is it? What does it look like? How does it work?

Speaker A: 00:33:08

Oh, that is just what. I don't know how to explain it. Yeah, yeah. Is. Yeah. Or there is flutes then is like what you call piano, guitar.

Speaker B: 00:33:29

Okay.

Speaker A: 00:33:30

Yes. Then op is like his horn.

Speaker B: 00:33:35

Okay.

Speaker A: 00:33:36

Yes. Yeah. So, you know. Yeah. So he plays, you know, all these instruments so we now just talked.

Talked about where each instrument will go so that everything comes in, you know, is coherent enough. So that was how we worked on the, on the score. So the oja was used, you know, whenever the spirits were around.

Then the opito and then the obaka for melody and all. That was it.

Speaker B: 00:34:12

Okay. All right, let's take a little segue. Can you mention three random facts about yourself?

Speaker A: 00:34:22

Random.

Speaker B: 00:34:26

That makes you. You.

Speaker A: 00:34:29

That makes me. Okay, that makes me. I love life. I love life a lot. I like to think and.

Speaker B: 00:34:50

You like to think. Or another thinker. There's a difference, right?

Speaker A: 00:34:55

No, not overthinker. I just like to wonder. Okay, I don't wonder. Yeah, not like. I just like to wonder on existential, you know, questions and all.

Yeah, yeah, Say three then. I. I love. I love music.

Speaker B: 00:35:21

Okay, what, some of the genres and artists that you like.

Speaker A: 00:35:29

Honestly, recently I've. I've. I really like desert blues. Desert does melodies from Senegal, Uganda. Like other. Other West. West African countries.

Speaker B: 00:35:48

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:35:51

Right now that's like my jam.

Speaker B: 00:35:54

Yeah. Okay. So, yeah, we talked about, you know, your film getting selected to several festivals. You also started the Africa International Horror Film Fest.

Speaker A: 00:36:10

Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:36:11

ed the decision to do that in: 2020

Speaker A: 00:36:16

Sometime in: 2020

Is there a festival meant for horror films in Africa? And, you know, it was just one. One South African horror Film festival.

So just that's really film festival, you know, that, you know, that celebrates horror films in Africa. So that was why I just start. I just started the, the horror film festival because I felt the. The genre is a. Is quite an interesting one.

Speaker B: 00:37:18

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:37:19

Then, you know, not having enough people, you know, bold enough to even tell stories that, you know, dark stories, like, that was, you know, I felt it. We should have, you know, diverse genres.

it's, it's been. I started in: 2021

Speaker B: 00:37:59

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:38:01

Yes, I started in: 2021

Speaker B: 00:38:06

Okay, so do you have dates for this year?

Speaker A: 00:38:11

Okay, so when I started the Horror Film Festival. It was from a place of wanting to set up a platform. A platform for that genre. Right.

Speaker B: 00:38:23

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:38:23

r, after our third edition in: 2023

So we had that, that transformation, you know, after the third edition, so last year. And this year is just purely for rebranding. So the next, the next edition will be next year.

So we are just rebranding and know, trying to come up with something more, you know, solid down would enrich people's experiences at the festival.

Speaker B: 00:39:03

Yeah. So we should, we should wait patiently and when the time is right, I guess we'll find out.

Speaker A: 00:39:13

Sure.

Speaker B: 00:39:14

Yeah. Okay, nice. But, yeah, in the three years that you ran it, what did. What were you pleasant surprised by with.

In terms of Africa and the genre of horror?

Speaker A: 00:39:28

Okay.

I was very surprised that people bought into the idea because when I was starting, it felt like it's, it's like, like, like who regards horror in this?

Speaker B: 00:39:45

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:39:46

Yeah. So there was so.

And for me, sometimes I just throw myself into things just because, I mean, like, I love to experiment and, you know, find new things. So I just, I just did it. Like I wasn't expecting that would even get any kind of funding or support. Nothing.

So I was ready to run it with my personal fund. But then, you know, started the festival and seeing people tuning, you know, people wanted to partner with us. We, you know, getting.

Getting funding, support from UBA under Red tv. Like it was so. It was very. How do I explain it? I was just pleasantly surprised. Like, really, really surprised. I wasn't. Yeah.

And then also filmmakers, they were very happy, you know, that we are finally having a horror film festival, you know, and then you, you would see that people, all these people have been craving for something different until one person just takes the initiative to start it. You see people tuning. So I was just very happy that, you know, so it, it's. It's. So as I saw right now, the festival has gone beyond me.

I'm no longer a lighter. It's not, it's not just me carrying it, people.

I've been getting a lot of, you know, P. From people that also want to join in, you know, for us to create something. Because at the end of the day, I'm not just the one that will be doing the festival. Have to work with, you know, a solid team, you know. Yeah, it's.

It's been really wonderful, honestly. Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:41:33

Okay. What are the different ways that African horror can you know, kind of, I guess, separate itself from the.

I guess, Western horror traditions and tropes.

Speaker A: 00:41:50

Okay. Well, I used to say.

I used to say that even as a continent, we are also even surrounded by, like, the life that is, you know, that is happening around us. It's. It's all full of horror. Like, literally grew up here. Like, we grew up in the horror. We don't.

So I. I believe one should be inspired by his environment, by the things that he has seen. That's when it would actually feel true.

I mean, like, and even the, you know, early Nollywood, they were very, like, they were really scary stories, and they were inspired by what was even happening around us. Money, ritual, Bush Baby, Madame Koi Koi. So all of this is like all. All these stories.

I mean, like, if you pick the one that you turn into yam, if you pick. If you pick money on the streets, like, we are also by horrific stories. I think that is how African horror can sort of stand out. And then.

And then even our spirituality has that element as well. Horror in this sense is not the fact that it's something to be scared of, right? It's. It's. It's.

I think for me, horror, horror transcends being scared of something like. Like the. These. Is it jump scare? Like, horror transcends jump scares. Horror, it's about, you know, the fear that every human being can relate to.

You know, So I. So for me, I feel horror. It's about facing your fears. Whatever it is could be spiritually, it could be emotionally, it could be psychologically.

Everyone has fears. So for me, I. That's how I see the journey. So I. I think. And then Africa as a whole, like, we have, like, we. We all embody all of these things.

Everybody does. But for me, yeah, that's just how horror, I mean, African horror can separate from the Western.

Speaker B: 00:44:00

Yeah, troops. Okay.

Speaker A: 00:44:01

Yeah.

Speaker B: 00:44:03

Nice. What do you enjoy, you know, from, you know, being a filmmaker and also a curator, like, with the festival? Like, what do you enjoy about those two.

Those two things that you do?

Speaker A: 00:44:20

What do I enjoy? I. I love the fact that, like, I'm able to. To also learn from other filmmakers, right? Because I get to watch a lot of films.

I get to really watch a lot. And a lot of films that, you know, like, you know, just living really just makes me fascinated at what people could actually come up with.

So for me, it's. It's also about learning from these filmmakers. And so. So the. So the creation. So.

So whenever I'm creating it, I am Thinking in terms of the filmmaker, like, what's. What like, like I'm thinking of ways that the festival too could benefit, you know, the filmmakers. So it's not just about them.

What, you know, so it's not just. Yeah. Screening their film. So I'm. I'm also thinking ahead, you know, so what becomes of their journey after. After the festival.

So, yeah, so I, I really like being on, you know, on both ends because whenever I, you know, I attended a film festival, like the last one I attended in Lagos, that's where in your screen premiered. I liked that. You know, I like the, you know, the, like the recognition actually given to filmmakers. So. Yes. So, like, I really, really liked it.

And it's something, you know, I would like. I'm trying to learn also with the festival.

Speaker B: 00:45:57

Yeah. I mean, congrats on winning the audience choice awards at sorrel 16 festival.

Speaker A: 00:46:05

Thank you.

Speaker B: 00:46:06

How was that like, you know, showing your film to the audience, experiencing with them. How was that experience for you?

Speaker A: 00:46:16

It was very, I mean, it was very intimate. It was very inspiring.

Speaker B: 00:46:27

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:46:28

Yeah, it was really, really inspiring. Because procedure to be precise, there are, you know, filmmakers that I really admire in Nigeria. I really admire their style, but, you know, I've.

I've never really understood why their style is different, you know, why their style in filmmaking is. It's not just like you could feel the artistry in their. In their films. You could feel it different. You could feel the difference in it.

So there are filming that I've really admired for, you know, a long time, and having my film screen in a, you know, in a festival that they created because I remember sending the film to cj when the film, you know, when I, I finished, I rounded up the film. I remember sending it to him and then he, you know, and then he was happy to, you know, to have it in the official competition at the festival.

I was quite honored, to be honest. I was quite honored. And then you also getting to meet other filmmakers that are, you know, like, you could tell that they are artists.

So it felt, it felt like, like I've met my people, like, like, you know, so I liked the. I liked the experience. And then, then to even finally win the award. Yeah, I was, I. I don't think I expected that.

I was just very thankful that my film was screening. That was just. All this was so winning was like, ah, it felt like. It felt like, yeah, I mean, like, it felt like a very big validation to me.

Speaker B: 00:48:23

Yeah.

Speaker A: 00:48:23

You know, my work, it felt like a very big validation. So it Also, you know, boosted my confidence, like the confidence in myself.

Speaker B: 00:48:34

Yeah. Nice. What are you working on? Are there other things you're excited to explore?

Speaker A: 00:48:42

I'm just looking forward to exploring, to be honest. I'm not looking forward to. I'm just looking forward to exploring genres, stories, you know? Yeah, I don't. I think that's it.

Speaker B: 00:48:58

Yeah. And are you working on anything new?

Speaker A: 00:49:03

Well, I was working on something new. We always look at something you say, yeah, sure. It's just early stages.

Speaker B: 00:49:13

Okay. All right.

So, I mean, as a filmmaker, as a festival founder, there are things that can happen within the Nigerian creative space that will make, you know, the way you do things a lot easier. So like, for you within this industry, what improvements do you want to see?

Speaker A: 00:49:40

I'm just looking forward to improvements on the. On the story styles. Like, they just have more kind of story styles and around to have variety and not just one kind of story.

Speaker B: 00:50:01

Nice. And how can people keep up with your work? Like, where can they go to know what you're up to?

Speaker A: 00:50:07

Yeah, I mean, I'm always on Instagram. I post some of my works on Instagram.

Speaker B: 00:50:14

Okay. Do you particularly have any advice for young filmmakers? I guess you're.

You're kind of in the early stages of your career, but like, what has helped you get to this point so far and. Yeah. Would you like to share that with young filmmakers?

Speaker A: 00:50:33

Well, when you say young filmmakers, I wonder what kind of filmmaker.

Speaker B: 00:50:41

First time filmmakers.

Speaker A: 00:50:44

Okay. I don't consider myself stolid enough to give any advice. Yeah. But I'll just say what is currently working for me?

To experience life, to really pay attention and be aware of life. Everything that is going on around you, things that you are feeling, people that you are saying, just really get to experience life deeply.

Because I think life is our greatest inspiration as artists.

Speaker B: 00:51:23

All right, thanks, Ineoha for coming on the Nigerian Filmmaker. Really enjoyed this chat.

Speaker A: 00:51:31

Thank you very much for having me.

Speaker B: 00:51:34

We have come to the end of this episode. Remember to rate and review the podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram for Facebook and X at Seligo Film and the podcast at Niger Film Port.

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