Kaelo Iyizoba Joins the Growing Impact of Nigerian Filmmakers In the Diaspora

Sundance Collab, a digital platform dedicated to fostering artistic communities and supporting emerging talent, has launched its inaugural Cultural Impact Residency. The six-month online program is designed to elevate underrepresented storytellers in their careers. Eight fellows have been selected across fiction, nonfiction, and episodic writing-directing, marking a significant step toward amplifying diverse voices in storytelling.

Among the Sundance Collab Cultural Impact Residency fellows is Kaelo Iyizoba, a Nigerian filmmaker. Originally a practicing pharmacist, Iyizoba discovered his true calling in storytelling, pursuing an MFA in film from Columbia University after relocating to the United States.

For the residency, Iyizoba is developing Birthright, a project that promises to extend his commitment to powerful, socially engaged narratives. His previous short film, Boy Meets Girl, which premiered globally on April 14, 2023, already demonstrated his profound storytelling abilities. Inspired by the heart-wrenching 2014 Boko Haram abduction of the Chibok girls, the film reflects Iyizoba’s passion for illuminating critical social narratives that demand global attention.

Sharing his success on Instagram, he expressed his gratitude: “I’m so grateful to everyone who has continued to fan the little flame inside me, even as Nigeria tried a thousand ways to quench it.”

His words carry a bittersweet weight, especially considering his journey. Before moving to the U.S., Iyizoba was part of Nigeria’s creative landscape, a country where many aspiring artists, especially those outside traditional fields, struggle to find opportunities. He likely aspired to pursue an MFA in Nigeria but was hindered by the country’s rigid education system, which often blocks science graduates from pursuing a master’s in the arts. Now identifying as Nigerian-American, he joins a growing list of filmmakers who have left Nigeria in search of better opportunities.

Many filmmakers follow a similar path. In 2021, Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. won the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for Lizard, a film that Mubi has now acquired. While many of these filmmakers remain deeply connected to Nigeria, dedicating their work to the country, their success abroad underscores how Nigeria continues to push its brightest talents away.

Sundance has long been a driving force in the global film industry, with its Sundance Film Festival recognized as one of the most prestigious platforms for independent cinema. In a historic moment for Nigerian cinema, C.J. Obasi’s Mami Wata became the first Nigerian film to have its world premiere at the festival, earning the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography, a milestone that highlights Sundance’s role in elevating diverse storytelling.

Iyizoba’s selection for the Sundance Collab Cultural Impact Residency reinforces the importance of institutions that nurture underrepresented voices in storytelling. His journey, from pharmacist to filmmaker, exemplifies the resilience required to pursue creative dreams, particularly for Nigerians facing systemic barriers. Yet, as more Nigerian filmmakers thrive abroad, the question lingers: What does this mean for the future of Nigeria’s film industry?

While international platforms like Sundance continue to provide crucial opportunities, the persistent exodus of talent raises concerns about Nigeria’s ability to support its own storytellers. Yet, filmmakers like Iyizoba and Obasi prove that, no matter where they are, Nigerian voices will continue to shape global cinema. Whether through festivals, residencies, or groundbreaking films, these artists ensure that Nigeria’s stories are seen, heard, and remembered.