Nigerian filmmaker Ololade Oludotun wins maiden contest for African visual storytellers

Ololade Olufisayo Oludotun, the Nigerian filmmaker, has won the inaugural edition of the Native Shorts Creatives contest. 

Organised by Iamnativ, the online platform, the short film competition is open to visual storytellers from Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Oludotun won the contest — which comes with a cash prize of £1,500 ($1,918) — with ‘Lost But Found’, his short film on girl-child.

The film chronicles the challenges facing girls globally and how they are excluded from opportunities due to societal barriers.

It tells the story of a young girl forced out of school by difficulties and how she was able to brace the odds with sheer determination.

In a statement, organisers of the award commended the Nigerian movie producer for addressing relevant issues in his work.

“Oludotun’s film is one that reaches across cultures and generations about gender prejudice and resulting gender discrimination that begin in childhood, and conflict, poverty and other forms of social disadvantage that magnify gender inequality,” the statement reads.

In his remark, Oludotun said the feat will motivate him more in his advocacy on challenges confronting women and young girls.

“I am encouraged. Winning a global award at a time of global crises when women and young girls everywhere face an immense range of challenges — from the inability to access food, education, and employment to the threat of gender-based violence feels like a tremendous honour and an equally tremendous responsibility to do more advocacy with my films,” he said.

“The sooner any nation understands girl children are as equally important and that the lack of women in leadership roles holds back not only women, but all people, the sooner we will be able to advance society as a whole.”

Abdoulie B. Jarju, the Gambian filmmaker, came second while Benjamin Olukoya, another Nigerian clinched the third spot.

They will both get a cash prize of $500 each.

Oludotun has directed several short films including ‘Stupid Finder’, an EbonyLife creative academy production, in 2022.