Girl Nation 2020-2021 is the second phase of the pilot program to promote advocacy for girls’ rights through social impact filmmaking. The pilot phase of the Girl Nation program reached 216 female undergraduates from the University of Abuja and the Bayero University, Kano with technical training in filmmaking and supported them to produce 2 documentaries and 2 short films on girls’ and women’s stories. The second phase of the pilot program targeted an additional 282 female undergraduates from the University of Abuja, Bayero University Kano, and the University of Calabar with a deeper practice experience for the Abuja and Kano cohort to produce 2 short films involving some famous actors and a brand-new empowerment and technical training program for a brand new Calabar cohort that ended with the production of a documentary and a short film.
The Girl Nation Project has been supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria and has reached over 500 young women (age 18-29 years) with 3 documentaries and 5 short films produced and screened locally and internationally with selections and awards from International Film Festivals around the world, including the Toronto International Women’s Film Festival, WomenX International Film Festival, Her International Film Festival, Laurus International Film Festival, the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the Zuma International Film Festival and many others.
This phase of the Girl Nation Program was critical to explore a deeper impact with the previous Girl Nation cohorts from the University of Abuja and the Bayero University, Kano. The young female filmmakers, in both cities, were experiencing their second professional film production. And this time, the ladies had the opportunity to produce a more challenging production telling a unique story with dialogue and working with some famous Nollywood actors. This experience raised the bar for the ladies and challenged their learning and their capacity to work with professionals and maintain standard professionalism. And feedback revealed an all-round successful production experience for the ladies, and all the cast that they worked with. The Nollywood actors that supported the project were impressed with their skills and their interest to learn.
Girl Nation UniAbuja and BUK Films
The Girl Nation Program also targeted a new cohort from the University of Calabar with technical filmmaking skills and support to produce their first films and screen to communities. The new cohort experienced an intensive empowerment and self-development training and the technical film training (script writing to editing). The girls were encouraged to explore their learning and practice with the production of their first documentary and short film. The young filmmakers were impressive in the production process and told authentic stories on controversial issues that affect girls and women. The films have also screened in communities and have also been selected in International Film Festivals.
Girl Nation BUK Films
You Don’t See Her Coming Trailer
You Don’t See Her Coming Short Film
Girl Nation UniAbuja Films
In This Together Trailer
In This Together Short Film
Girl Nation Calabar Films
The Girl Nation social impact film project has proved the power in investing in young women. The skills impact of this project has empowered young women to take the lead in championing authentic storytelling, particularly with stories on the real-lived experiences of girls and women facing various rights violations and so much more. Women understand the power of the tool that they have been equipped to use and can now leverage their filmmaking skills to roll out social impact films that challenge negative social norms and mobilize global action for the protection of girls’ and women’s rights. The women have the skills and will continue to challenge the status quo!
Girl Nation Calabar Films
On Whose Authority Trailer
On Whose Authority Short Film
Bargaining Chip Documentary