1. What inspired the story behind your short film?
This short was inspired by a broader series concept about three women who discover they’re all engaged to the same duplicitous man. For the short, I focused on one of them—a hardworking, intelligent woman who’s often overlooked in both her career and personal life. Her journey resonated with me deeply, especially within the context of modern dating and the struggle to balance love, ambition, and identity.

2. What message or emotion do you hope the audience takes away from your film?
I hope audiences feel both inspired and enchanted by this retelling of a classic story of deception—reimagined through a distinctly African lens. I wanted to create a rich, speculative world rooted in African aesthetics and culture, one that feels familiar yet refreshingly new. Ultimately, I hope it encourages viewers to see African stories as globally resonant, and our cultures as imaginative landscapes full of possibility.

3. What’s your go-to creative ritual before a shoot day?
Prayer. It grounds me and sets my intention for the day.

4. What’s one film you wish you had directed—and why?
Une si longue lettre, based on the novel by Mariama Bâ and recently adapted by Angèle Diabang. I read the book as a 16-year-old French language student and was captivated. It’s a beautifully layered story about friendship, tradition, and womanhood. I’d love to direct another adaptation someday—just as Shakespeare is constantly reimagined, so too should African classics be given space to evolve onscreen.

5. If you had to shoot a short film using only three props, what would they be?
A knife, an onion, and a telephone.

6. What’s your guilty pleasure movie or series you rewatch all the time?
In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-wai. It’s visually stunning and emotionally powerful—it gives me all the feels, every single time.

7. Why are short films important in today’s media landscape?
Short films allow for experimentation. Their format invites risk-taking and creative exploration in ways that are harder to achieve with longer or more commercial projects. That freedom—to try, to fail, to discover—is essential whether you’re just starting out or well into your career. Filmmaking, like life, is a journey of learning and unlearning.

8. What advice would you give to someone making their first short?
Set a clear intention. Are you aiming to learn a new skill? Build confidence? Get visibility? Having a “why” will help you stay grounded, measure growth, and navigate challenges with purpose.

9. What’s one question you wish interviewers asked—and how would you answer it?
“How can people support you and your creative journey?”
Support isn’t always financial. It’s showing up to screenings, sharing kind words, or connecting me with someone who might help. The most powerful support often comes from those walking beside me—not just those ahead. This is a long road, and that kind of encouragement keeps me going.

10. Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival so important?
Because they’re happening right here—on the African continent. I believe we must resonate with each other first. Festivals like FAME offer a space to affirm our stories, build community, and develop audiences at home. That internal cultural exchange is what gives our work depth, longevity, and authenticity.