About the Fellowship
The 2024 StoryMi Documentary Film Fellowship is a fully-funded program that offers a unique opportunity for emerging Nigerian filmmakers to receive comprehensive training and mentorship from industry experts. This year, four talented fellows have been chosen based on their application materials and mini-documentary submissions out of over 100 applications received from all over Nigeria. Their fellowship began with a trip to La Rochelle, France where they attended the 35th edition of the Sunny Side of the Doc. Throughout the fellowship, they will engage in intensive workshops, receive mentorship from renowned African and international filmmakers and gain invaluable industry exposure.
Meet the Mentors
Ike Nnaebue is a celebrated Nigerian film director, screenwriter, and producer. His latest film, "No U-Turn," received a Special Mention Award at the Berlin International Festival - Berlinale 2022. As the founder and CEO of Love Portion Creativehubs, Ike is dedicated to building a network of creative hubs across Africa and globally, creating safe spaces for African creatives to thrive. Additionally, he leads Passion8 Communications Ltd, a premium media content production company based in Lagos, Nigeria. Ike is widely regarded as one of the champions of the emerging new African cinema.
Louise Monlau is a successful documentary filmmaker and experienced photographer based in Paris, France. With a rich background in print and multimedia journalism, she has worked with some of the most prestigious French newspapers. Louise directed her first short film, "The Death Cleaner," in 2020, which was selected for the Emmy Awards in 2021 and the AFI Festival. Her second short film, "Rocio and Me," explores the relationship between a mother and her daughter with Down syndrome. In 2022, she directed "Nigeria’s Dancer for Change," commissioned by Al Jazeera.
The fellows are being trained by their mentors and other highly-skilled instructors across the globe including Mayeni Jones, Dil Ajufo, Miyuki Aramaki, Sylvain Lepetit and others.
Meet the Fellows
Ugbe Chidiebere transitioned from radio to documentary filmmaking, founding Keyhole Media, a production company dedicated to creating impactful documentaries. With a background in music, writing, blogging, and radio, Chidiebere found his true passion in documentary filmmaking. Over the past seven years, he has led production teams to create documentaries for non-profits and high-profile individuals, aiming to tell stories that inspire and move audiences to action.
Zainab Bala is a director and producer specializing in documentary filmmaking. Her passion lies in crafting narratives that resonate deeply with viewers and producing projects that stay true to their creative vision. Zainab's work focuses on real stories that connect with audiences, highlighting social and environmental issues through powerful storytelling.
Shedrack Salami is a cinematographer and visual artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. His journey into documentary filmmaking began with a passion for visual expression, transitioning from graphic design and fine art to cinematography. Shedrack has documented stories across Nigeria, showcasing his versatility and commitment to addressing social issues through his art. He aims to inspire a new generation of creatives across Africa by continuously pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.
Ayangbade Annabelle, fondly known as the “behind the scenes girl,” is passionate about the power of storytelling as a tool for change. She began her filmmaking journey with a diploma in filmmaking and has since participated in numerous training programs, including the Ladima Documentary Filmmaking Training. Annabelle currently works as a freelance film editor for an international media house, where she recently completed an internship. Her work focuses on social and environmental issues, aiming to challenge stereotypes and highlight impactful stories.
