1. What inspired the story behind your short film?
During the 2020 quarantine, I was hanging laundry on the balcony and imagined what would happen if an undergarment accidentally fell onto the balcony of a neighbor who already disliked me for no clear reason. Around the same time, a Ukrainian woman in Egypt was arrested after a man filmed her sunbathing in a bikini on her balcony, claiming she violated “Egyptian values.” That man was hailed as a hero, while she was blamed and punished. This double standard deeply disturbed me, and V’s Secret was born from that injustice.

2. What message or emotion do you hope the audience takes away from your film?
I want audiences to reflect on gender bias, the male gaze, and the obsession with feminine objects. It’s unsettling that something as simple as a piece of clothing could lead to violence—or even death—because of deep-seated societal fixations.

3. What’s your go-to creative ritual before a shoot day?
I write my morning pages, do a workout, print out every single detail of the film, listen to music, and dance. It gets me centered and energised.

4. What’s one film you wish you had directed—and why?
Cleo from 5 to 7 by Agnès Varda. I love how music and camera movement are used in harmony, and how the story is told entirely through the protagonist’s eyes. That blend of style and intimacy is what inspires me most.

5. If you had to shoot a short film using only three props, what would they be?
A book, a magic wand, and a piano.

6. What’s your guilty pleasure movie or series you rewatch all the time?
Friends. It never fails to lift my mood.

7. Why are short films important in today’s media landscape?
Short films are essential calling cards. They allow filmmakers to showcase their talent, storytelling ability, and artistic voice in a condensed, impactful format. The challenge of telling a complete story in just a few minutes is what makes them so powerful.

8. What advice would you give to someone making their first short?
Focus on the script. It’s the foundation of your film. A well-written script with strong dialogue is more important than visual perfection. Content always wins—no matter how good your film looks, if the story is weak, the film will fall flat.

9. What’s one question you wish interviewers asked—and how would you answer it?
What would happen if the protagonist were a woman?
In my story, she’d behave just like Adam, the male lead. She’d have the same obsessions and struggles. We’re all shaped by the same cultural taboos and social norms around femininity and shame.

10. Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival so important?
FAME Shorts is important because it’s held in Africa—my continent, my home. I dream of an African Union as united and collaborative as the EU. We have so much in common, and festivals like FAME help us see that. They create a space for African voices to connect, share, and grow together.