Dimeji Ogunranti, director of Night Shift (2025), has described his selection for the British Council Film Lab Africa Phase 2 as a moment of validation for his work.
Ogunranti is one of 33 emerging writers selected from over 1,600 applicants for the programme, delivered by the British Council in partnership with EbonyLife Creative Academy and Iconic Steps Film Academy.
Speaking in an interview with The Nollywood Reporter (TNR), Ogunranti said the news of his selection came as a surprise despite his preparation.
“When I read the email, I just stared at the screen and started laughing. I then texted some loved ones to let them know. At that moment, I felt validated,” he said.
Although he approached the application process with intention, he said he did not expect the outcome.
“I prepared for this application like I was writing a thesis, but I did not fully know I would get in,” he added.
Beyond the personal milestone, Ogunranti pointed to broader issues within Nollywood’s storytelling process, noting that the industry’s fast-paced production culture often limits development.
“Many writers and filmmakers have strong ideas, but that ‘shoot it in two weeks’ culture is also our biggest storytelling challenge. It creates an environment where the first draft often becomes the shooting script,” he said.
He explained that film labs such as the British Council initiative can help address these gaps by prioritising development.
“For Nollywood, it encourages stronger development, which leads to stronger scripts, and stronger scripts lead to more lasting films,” Ogunranti said. “By investing in the development phase, which is the most underfunded part of Nollywood, the lab is contributing to a new wave of filmmakers.”
Ogunranti also noted that the programme is already shaping his approach to his work, particularly in how he evaluates his writing.
“I have always considered myself a strong writer, but this experience is making me a more uncompromising editor of my work,” he said.
Looking ahead, he said he hopes the lab will position his work for both local and international audiences.
“I hope this lab positions my work for the local Nigerian audience that wants to see their lives reflected authentically, and the international market that is hungry for nuanced African perspectives,” he said. “I’m here to bridge that gap between the Nollywood we know and the Nollywood we know is possible.”