By Geraldine Akutu
08 June 2024 | 5:10 am
The year was 2020. My screenwriting stint with MNET’s Tinsel had come to an end the year before and I was seeking new adventures within
Jennifer Nkem-eneanya
Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya is a filmmaker and screenwriter. She is the Chief Content Officer at Amaranthine Media and has authored two short story collections. A two-time winner of the Africa Book Club Short Story Competition and 2018 finalist; co-editor of The Next Nigerian Star Book anthology and a screenwriting awardee of the African Film Festival, Nkem-Eneanya’s production and screenwriting credits include ‘Zena’, ‘For My Girls’, ‘Love in a Time of Kekes’, ‘Pushing 30’, ‘Zuriel’s Diary’, ‘The Housekeeper’s Daughter’, ‘Along Came a Butterfly’, and ‘Paradise’. She has also written and developed stories for MNET’s Africa Magic series, ‘Tinsel’ and ‘Hustle.’ In this interview with GERALDINE AKUTU, she shares her journey into filmmaking and passion for the industry, among other issues.
At what point did you decide to be a filmmaker?
The year was 2020. My screenwriting stint with MNET’s Tinsel had come to an end the year before and I was seeking new adventures within the industry. I knew I couldn’t be the screenwriter who twiddled her thumbs, waiting for the next gig, and so I took a big step – I launched my production company, Amaranthine Media Production Studios, and soon found a niche; creating wholesome, visually relatable and impactful content for children and teenagers among other production and directing gigs. Our vision is to spread joy while creating unfading expressions.
How has the journey been so far?
Hectic! And that is describing it mildly. There are so many uncertainties especially with regards to earning a return on investment from our projects. Funding is a constant source of concern, but we are committed and grateful for the support we have received so far. There are many bright lights on the path that keep us motivated. Last year we had a chance to attend the MIP Junior festival in Cannes, France, because of our first animated series – Kiliwe the Timebender. We have also been selected for a few festivals including the Enugu International Film Festival and the Lagos International Festival of Animation in 2023. We are currently working on more episodes and a spinoff and we are excited for what is to come.
What do you like the most about your job?
The media is the most powerful tool of indoctrination. It can create unconscious biases; it can build and it can break. Covertly, deliberately, the media decides what a society values and what it disdains. To be counted among those who are going beyond complaining about the dearth of age-appropriate content for our children to actively creating content that is appropriate, wholesome, fun and educational is a huge plus for me and makes the struggle worth it. We have big dreams – to create an entire ecosystem that could rival Nickelodeon with animation, comics, games, live action films, merchandise and more, and we have started the journey. Creating content that serves a purpose is one of the things I like the most about what I do. Meeting the people that we create for is exhilarating and seeing how excited kids are when they come across our content is so fulfilling. We have a yearly Children’s Day fiesta tagged the Timebender Fest.
Who are your role models in Nigeria and outside the country?
I admire many different people for so many different reasons; longevity being one of them. The ability to bounce back after failure is another; and the power to reinvent oneself and refuse to be stuck in a particular mold. I want to be on a movie set with Ava Duvernay, build a company with Mo Abudu, create a fantasy wonderland with Greta Gerwig, break records with Funke Akindele, create an enduring story ecosystem like J.K Rowling, be as supportive as EffangaEffanga, all while remaining steadfast in faith like Pastor Lanre Oluseye and raising well-rounded children like my mother, Rachael Onuigbo. I could fill an entire page.
Do you think women are still underplayed in films and get secondary roles?
I cannot recollect women being underplayed. I grew up with ‘Glamour’ ‘Girls, ‘Nneka the Pretty Serpent’ and ‘Domitilla’; films in which women were the predominant characters and I dare say that had a great input in shaping the way I write screenplays – a woman is almost always my protagonist. Are women being stereotyped negatively in a way that currently shapes our narratives and perception of women? Most definitely! But we have female titans in the industry right now, breaking records and glass ceilings and we hope that more of our movies dismantle the negative stereotypes and labels.
What is the most memorable and exciting thing you have ever seen in your field/industry?
There are a few. Being on the production set of my first ever screenplay, ‘For My Girls’, in the eastern hinterlands was pretty memorable. I was treated like mini royalty. Winning the Africa International Film Festival Screenwriting grant was amazing. I remember standing on that stage with a smile so wide; I thought my face would break. Getting the opportunity to write on Africa’s longest running series, Tinsel, was a big deal. And most recently, winning a grant with the British Council’s Film Lab Africa. Oh! Watching my first ever cinema movie – Zena – in a cinema hall and beaming as the audience laughed and connected with the movie, totally oblivious of my presence, is a cherished memory.
What do you do in your spare time?
I try to have fun while contributing meaningfully to my community, gaining new knowledge and exploring new vistas. I am interested in fashion, so I am often styling an outfit or two. I have a side gig as a Mistress of Ceremonies; I write and direct stage plays in church; I co-plan a Christmas Kitchen for Kids with the Friends of the Street Kid; I serve as the Public Relations Officer of the Queens College Old Girls Association in Port Harcourt and I work at raising my kids in the way they should grow with my husband and namesake, Nkemdilim.
Oh, and I watch lots of movies, take tons of pictures, and daydream about how to ‘take over the world.’ And I really like to dance, so if there’s a party in the vicinity, you might find me there.
What kind of things should aspiring filmmakers be involved in to prepare themselves for this field of work?
Truckloads of learning! You want to be well informed about your field of interest so you need to learn from every resource available. Also, constantly keep an ear open and an eye out for opportunities. The British Council has kicked off a Film Lab and most film festivals offer various degrees of training and opportunities. Follow the right sources on social media and keep abreast of industry information, locally and globally. Explore the expanding opportunities within the industry – from skit-making to Youtube and Tiktok films.
I spoke with an animator recently who told me he learned animation from Youtube. So, if you are arts inclined, that is a route you might pursue.
Finally, network. Internships on film projects and the like give young filmmakers an opportunity to hone their craft and earn industry credits. Filmmaking is a gritty business that is fraught with many challenges but I believe that knowing your purpose and answering the ‘why’ question can keep you motivated. And who knows? You could be standing on a stage with an award on your name in the near future.
