Nigerian-born Tochukwu Nwabueze is a 26-year old film director with a great love for Africa’s food and the various cultures.
Having studied at both the University of Nigeria and the Royal Arts Academy, and believes that now is the time for African creatives to showcase the richness of the continent’s creativity.
“There is an increased demand for not just films nor entertainment but [also] for good quality entertainment.
I believe that the film industry is on the rise and soon that will attract more investors. More investors means more room for creativity,” says Tochukwu.
The African creative he looks up to the most is Nigerian film director Izu Ojukwu, and in particular his film ‘76, where Ojukwu’s unique skill for storytelling deeply resonated with Tochukwu.
His favourite actors and actresses include Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Mercy Johnson, especially because of their skilful character embodiment.
For Tochukwu, the biggest challenge facing Africa’s creative film and television industry is the fact that the insufficiency of time and money has forced most creatives to focus on quantity rather than quality.
He does however believe that technology and internet have made the art and science of filmmaking more affordable and easier to market, which can go a long way towards solving problems in the industry.
If Tochukwu could create a TV show, he would create a drama series that exposes societal ills and suggests possible solutions. It would be a beautiful expression of the pain and hope that ordinary people hold on to in everyday situations.