Hollywood Angel director Kristi Williams and cinematographer Erin G. Wesley have teamed up with Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan to host a four-day workshop for young filmmakers in the country.
The collaboration, presented by the US Embassy in Nigeria, was officially launched on Tuesday during a special edition of Reel Circle at the Kunle Afolayan Production Center (KAP) in Lagos.
The workshop is part of a larger KAP Film and Television Academy program developed with the US Embassy in Nigeria. Afolayan, founder of KAP Academy, announced that the workshop, which began on Tuesday, will continue until Saturday with additional support from Ope Ajayi, CEO of Cinemax Distribution Limited.
The launch began with the screening of Kadara, a 1980 film by Afolayan's father, Adeyemi Afolayan, known as Ade Love, and the classic 'Ija Ominira'.
These screenings aimed to inspire aspiring filmmakers by showcasing Nigeria's cinematic heritage and illustrating how a filmmaker's journey can help shape an industry.
Among those in attendance were Consular General of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Will Stevens, renowned filmmaker Tunde Kelani, veteran actress Sola Sobowale, film editor Steve Sodiya, Seun Soyinka and Olumide Iyanda.
During a panel discussion, Williams, Wesley, Afolayan and Kelani shared their experiences, challenges and approaches to the art of film.
Article page with financial support promotion collaboration
During his remarks, Afolayan highlighted the critical role of the US Embassy in introducing Hollywood professionals to support young Nigerian filmmakers, explaining that this partnership began during his recent tour of the United States.
He said: “I have collaborated extensively with the diplomatic community, but I have never met a diplomat as selfless and committed as the United States Consul General in Nigeria, Will Stevens. He has really welcomed people into his world. Our partnership originated from my recent trip to the United States, where I attended a creative program supported by the US Consulate in Nigeria.
“We visited Los Angeles, Washington DC, Virginia and Atlanta, connecting with industry stakeholders and discussing film. For this show, we focused on directing and cinematography, and we are fortunate that the U.S. Embassy brought in two experts in these fields: director Angel Kristi Williams and director of photography Erin G. Wesley.”
Consul General Stevens praised the influence of Nollywood, describing it as a powerful medium for telling authentic stories.
He said: “As an American diplomat, I deeply appreciate the power of our culture and believe we are entering the African century. The power of Nollywood lies in its authenticity: it tells real stories. When I came to Nigeria, I applied to work in Lagos because I saw the potential. My previous role in Cape Town led me to work with the film industry, where we saw American producers arrive with projects unrelated to Africa. We realized it was creating jobs, but then I saw the Nollywood movies and thought, 'This is true storytelling; This is changing the global perception of Africa.” Now is Nigeria's time, Africa's time.
“By 2050, Nigeria will be the third largest country in the world and the second largest democracy. With over a billion people across Africa, the opportunity to shape perceptions of your culture and continent has never been more significant. I am simply delighted that the US mission in Nigeria can support it, even if in a small way. By investing in these partnerships with American and Nigerian storytellers, we are helping to inspire the next generation. Global audiences see these stories on platforms like Amazon, Netflix and Apple TV because people everywhere want to hear your stories.”
Workshop training objectives
The workshop, led by Williams and Wesley, is designed to equip the next generation of Nigerian filmmakers with practical skills. It combines the expertise of Hollywood professionals with the vibrant energy of Nigerian cinema.
Afolayan noted that 20 young filmmakers were selected for the practical training, focusing on developing their technical and narrative skills.
Williams shared her excitement, saying, “I am excited to share my process and collaborate with Nigerian cinematographers, just as I do with American cinematographers and actors,” Williams said. “We are starting from scratch, working on every step of the narrative. Once I know the story I want to tell I ask myself: how will I tell it? How do I break down the script? How do I choose the right actors? How do I choose my collaborators? And how do I develop a visual language to make a beautiful project?
Williams added that the collaboration will improve the quality of films made by the young filmmakers he is training: “I hope this partnership adds valuable tools to their skills. But, above all, I want them to connect with the other filmmakers in the class. My goal is for them to gain confidence and find a meaningful way to put these skills to use in their filmmaking.”
Cinematographer Wesley echoed the collaborative sentiment and shared his expectations for the training: “I'm approaching this as a knowledge exchange. We are all students and I hope to learn from them as much as they will learn from me. “I’m here to teach them about film technology and gain new insights from their perspectives.”
reel circle
The launch of the workshop also featured a special edition of Reel Circle, a KAP initiative focused on young filmmakers and film buffs.
Afolayan described Reel Circle as a film club that fosters community among young filmmakers while preserving Nigeria's cinematic history.
The filmmaker explained that Reel Circle was designed with Generation Z and younger filmmakers in mind. He said: “In the past, films came in reel format, that's why we chose the name Reel, to honor the history of cinema. Reel Circle is a film club, a space to build a film community. “We created this platform to curate independent shows and provide opportunities to those whose films might not make it to the mainstream box office.”
Addressing aspiring filmmakers, Afolayan emphasized the importance of staying up to date with industry trends.
He said: “If you are not in tune with digital cinema, you risk leaving the business altogether. Look for opportunities like these, such as forums where movies are discussed. It's not just about wanting instant fame, popularity or a large number of followers on social media. That's not how we started, and we are here today because we have been intentional and consistent. Focus on building a strong brand, whether you are a director, cinematographer or production assistant.”