Postcards from QFEST 2023

#AboutYesterday

Attendees of the first day of Quramo Festival of Words QFEST 2023 were treated to assorted knowledge parties that left them nourished and excited for the coming days.

From the Self Editing workshop by Anwuli Ojogwu to Morenike Olusanya’s Stories in Visuals class to The Grant Writing Class by Ms Linda Bembatoum to Distributing Your Content by Adedotun Eyinade of RovingHeights and Nothing but Bops songwriting workshop by Dwin the Stoic, the classes were power-packed and super engaging.

Attendees enjoyed one-on-one interaction with the facilitators and networking opportunities with both industry experts and creative colleagues.

That’s not all…

The day ended on a high as the open film screening session (anchored by Ms Oyinkan of Quramo Productions) had everyone in their feelings. It was a rollercoaster ride as the different subject matters ranged from humour to frustration to friendship to love for books and feminism among others.

The films screened included:

• Kiriji War by Durotimi Akinkugbe: This film is inspired by events that happened between 1877 and 1893 in Yoruba land. Employing a narrative approach, this animated film took the attendees back in time, showcasing historical details that brought the story to life.
• Ewa by Mark Eyesan and Team: The film references the Yoruba belief that beans helps children to grow physically. This story about a young boy who is vertically challenged yet has a deep-seated hatred for beans had everyone bawling with laughter as attendees watched the boy measure his height every chance he got, struggle to push through a crowd at school, stretch to pick a book of the shelf (before getting help from his father) among other activities that reminded him about how ‘tall’ he really was. His mother also tries to encourage him by putting insoles in his shoes when he is not looking.
  Eventually, he embraces beans as his way out and eats until he notices a slight improvement in his height. This colourful animated film which took 8 months to render and 2 years in all to produce is a reminder that a good support system helps soften the effect of our insecurities while we patiently wait for time to straighten out seemingly ‘difficult’ kinks in the fabric of our lives.
• Burkina Babes by Kagho Idebhor and Team: This interesting and photography-styled film had attendees cheering as it celebrated the strength of the African Woman. We saw women ride motorbikes among other popular activities that are typically reserved for men. At the end of the film, attendees were reminded that women may be seen as soft and fragile. However, in reality, their inner strength shines through in both tough and demanding situations.
• Born Different by Ann Sarafina: This touching yet positive story had the room quiet. Everyone watched as the image of Grace, a young beautiful lady with a skin disorder - Neurofibromatosis, filled the screen. There was a medical commentary that helped the audience understand the disease. We were also introduced to her caring mother and loving friend who hugged her with reckless abandon. Everyone left the room humbled and with a fresh respect for persons who are confident enough to face their challenges with a smile.
• Certainly Sir by Ms 10PP: This short film was made over zoom and had two actors engage in a satirical conversation that showcased the power of Artificial Intelligence as the next big thing at a time that it was not a topic of conversation. This shows the self-fulfilling power of prophecy that is available to filmmakers.
• Sad Cartoon by Daniel “S.A.D” Alaka: This is the animated story of a short female book lover’s struggle to reach a book on a tall bookshelf. She almost has the book in her reach until a loud voice calls her name, distracting her from her near victory. It was a feel-good film that took everyone back to their childhood days. The black & white look, humour and relatability in the film had everyone laughing.
• Etido by Oladele Bello: A film about the circle of life, this started with a conversation on greed between two protesters during the EndSars protest. We are then introduced to the exchange of the living for the dead by a riverside. This film is a sober reminder that for every time someone dies, someone is born and the circle of life continues as a result of this.
• Babushka: This animated film speaks to the subject of insecurity and mental illness, a gentle reminder that many people do not wear their sickness on their sleeves until situation forces their condition to the fore.
• Looking for Maya by Regal: This film is a conversation between a daughter and her dead mother how past mistakes have the power to impact the future especially human relationships and feelings. The end is a reminder that such should not be allowed to fester for long. It also touches on the power of forgiveness.
• Tomati by Esther Kemi Gbadamosi and Animation Nigeria: This stop motion film showcases a poor Nigerian adult who is frustrated by the economic situation. He spends time soliloquizing before deciding to take up farming. The theme is the power of positive thinking and hard work. What is interesting is the snap and stop technique that was used in the creation of this film. The news from the filmmakers is that they now have production of their unique puppets underway. Talk about creativity and innovation in one move.
• Friendship and Loneliness by Chukwufumnanya Ochei: This story about work fatigue shows a side of life that is common among the working class persons. A young man is frustrated with the amount of work he has to do
• The Broken Mask: This last film by Kagho Idhebor was a great way to wrap up the open film screening as it left everyone speechless. Captured in a mix of English and Ijaw, the story explored a subject relevant on both local and global scales – sexual abuse. The introduction of spirituality through the showcase of masks and karma was a great way to infuse the cultural angle that gives the wronged Nigerian hope and solace. This reiterates the gradual change in the leanings of the traditional Nigerian society from suppression and subjugation to the emancipation and appreciation of the Nigerian girl and woman.

Day 1 ended with positive feedback from attendees who promised to return with high

expectations for Day 2. If you have not registered yet, you can save your seat here.

See you at Quramo Festival of Words QFEST 2023 from October 5-8.