Second Edition of the Nigerian-German NOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP in Benin City

Successful Continuation:

Second Edition of the Nigerian-German NOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP in Benin City

Benin City, Nigeria – With the second edition of the NOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP – Benin City Edition, the Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg (FABW) continues its successful collaboration with emerging filmmakers from Benin City, Nigeria. Over the course of four weeks, six Nigerian creatives and six students from the Filmakademie worked intensively together to tell a socially relevant story through the short film FRAGMENTS OF TOMORROW. Funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and supported by ARRI, the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub & Sound Stage, and the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora Affairs of the Nigerian Edo State, the workshop underscores the importance of intercultural exchange and creative collaboration.

FRAGMENTS OF TOMORROW tells the story of Isiuwa, a young woman whose brother suffers from sickle cell anemia. During a hospital visit, Isiuwa and her fiancé Aisosa learn that both are carriers of the sickle cell gene. This means their children could also suffer from the disease. Isiuwa considers ending the relationship to prevent future suffering. However, Aisosa is determined to find solutions together. In the end, his dedication shows how they can overcome the challenges as a team.

The short film not only reflects the cultural exchange between Nigerian, Namibian, and German filmmakers, but also employs innovative German filmmaking techniques. Shot with the newly introduced ARRI35 digital camera, FRAGMENTS OF TOMORROW is one of the first applications of this technology in an African context. The integration of state-of-the-art equipment at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub elevates the visual storytelling to a global level and contributes to the advancement of Nollywood productions.

Closing at AFRIFF and World Premiere in Tallinn

A highlight of the workshop was the premiere of FRAGMENTS OF TOMORROW at a special screening during the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) (November 3–9, 2024) at the Goethe-Institut Nigeria.

At the same time, the film ỌKPẸN-ẸZẸ (BY THE RIVERSIDE) – a result of the first NOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP 2023 – will have its world premiere on November 22, 2024, at the prestigious Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2024 in Estonia.

ỌKPẸN-ẸZẸ tells the story of Esohe, whose 10-year-old daughter Osayuki tragically drowns in a nearby river. According to local burial traditions, her body must be buried near the riverbank, but Esohe cannot bring herself to part with her beloved daughter’s remains. In a desperate attempt to bring her back, Esohe manages to resurrect her drowned child. However, this act of love comes at a terrible cost: her daughter’s body is possessed by the powerful water goddess Olokun.

Paul Sonntag*, cinematographer of the project, explains: "Working on Ọkpẹn-Ẹzẹ, very different ideas of film, storytelling and visual language came together. This creative friction led to a film that employs these contradictions as a driving force for its story. As part of that process the camera approaches its characters carefully, leaving space for interpretation in a range of cultural contexts. Thanks to the generous support of ARRI we were able to realise Ọkpẹn-Ẹzẹ on the highest technical level."

Outlook:

Due to the positive response to FRAGMENTS OF TOMORROW and ỌKPẸN-ẸZẸ, the NOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP will continue in 2025. With support from the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg, the program will even expand with scholarships. As a result, two Nigerian participants will have the opportunity to study for a semester at FABW.

In the vast universe of filmmaking, Edo State, Nigeria, plays a pioneering role in ensuring that local talent not only plays a central role as spectators but also as active contributors. The NOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP, led by project manager Abel Alechenu (Nigeria), is a shining example of how collaboration can turn dreams into reality. This initiative goes beyond filmmaking – it fosters understanding between cultures and helps shape the future of the Nigerian creative landscape. The workshop underscores the power of storytelling and creates a platform to bring Nigerian stories to the international big screen.

Film as a Bridge Between Cultures

Guido Lukoschek, Head of the International Office at FABW, emphasizes the significance of the collaboration: "The workshop is a unique opportunity to experience intercultural collaboration in practice. Together, the participants learned to question their perspectives and engage deeply with different cinematic approaches. This experience not only shapes their creative work but also their ability to communicate and cooperate in an international context. My thanks go to all the partners and supporters who make this project possible."

Hamilton Nwosa (Nigeria), editor of FRAGMENTS OF TOMORROW, shares his thoughts: "I learned so much from the 2024 edition of the NOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP. It was an exciting journey where I had the chance to work on a fantastic project with other participants from Germany in Benin City. This workshop taught me how to collaborate with people from different cultural backgrounds and gave me the opportunity to work in an international context. I am very grateful for this chance and am sure that this is just the beginning of more collaborations."

Paul Sonntag is a scholarship holder of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation and participated in an international partner program as part of his studies.