Black Sheep Motion Pictures Is Shaping a New Wave of Filmmaking in Kano

In Nigeria, filmmaking has always served purposes far beyond entertainment. It educates, enlightens, and mirrors the social, economic, and cultural realities of its people.

Audiences across the country ;  diverse in language, lifestyle, and worldview  continue to seek stories that reflect their everyday experiences, affirm their identities, and challenge their perspectives.

Kano, a major hub in Nigeria’s film scene, is known for its long-established cinema tradition. The city has produced a robust catalogue of Hausa-language films that have helped preserve culture and shape conversations around identity, values, and community.

But in the middle of this cultural stronghold, a new wave of independent filmmakers is rising, determined to expand the creative boundaries of what filmmaking in Kano can be.

 Black Sheep Motion Pictures

At the forefront of this movement is Black Sheep Motion Pictures, a collective of young Kano-based filmmakers creating films with a clear focus on storytelling, social relevance, and festival appeal.

Louis Wise, the founder of the group, articulates their mission with clarity: “As an independent filmmaker, we shoot films for festivals. In Kano, the Kano Indigenous Language Film Festival (KILAF) is our target, and in Abuja, it’s the Zuma Film Festival.”

The name “Black Sheep” itself is a statement. “I chose ‘Black Sheep’ because I didn’t want to follow the bandwagon,” Louis says. “The black sheep is always different, often seen as the odd one out. I embrace that because I want to challenge the status quo. While others may shoot for popularity or commercial appeal, I shoot for substance and festival impact.”

From Folktales to Film

Louis traces his storytelling passion back to his childhood. “I read a lot, especially folktales and African stories. They sparked my imagination. I could see the stories like a movie in my head — that’s when storytelling started to take hold of me.”

Before entering film, Louis spent several years directing stage plays. The stage, he explains, is powerful but limited. “There are things you just can’t achieve physically. Film allows you to create anything, to bring any vision to life.”

What pushed him further into filmmaking was the growing realisation that many African stories gaining global traction were not being told by Africans themselves. He references films like “The Woman King” and “Black Panther”, which, while ambitious, left him questioning representation. “An African story told by an African will always be more authentic. Whether we like it or not, the future of African storytelling is in our hands, and I’ve decided to be a part of telling it.”

Stories That Cut Deeper

While many filmmakers in Kano lean toward romantic comedies, Louis is drawn to heavier themes. “I’m not a fan of love stories,” he says plainly. “I love tragedy and tragicomedy. Life doesn’t always end well — no matter how good someone is, the end is death. After the laughter fades, reality sets in. Comedy is oversaturated. I want people to watch my films and feel something. I want them to think.”

That ethos is at the heart of one of Black Sheep Motion Pictures’ recent projects: “Two Shores, One Heart.” The film delves into the tensions around religious and ethnic cohabitation — a subject that’s as relevant in Kano as it is across the country.

“‘Two Shores, One Heart’ is about religious and ethnic divisions. Christians versus Muslims. Tribes refusing to intermarry. But love can bridge those divides,” Louis explains. “The two shores represent different backgrounds, but one heart unites them.”

While the film carries a romantic core, it also issues a warning. “You can’t stop life from unfolding,” Louis says. “If people keep opposing interfaith or interethnic marriages, the repression will eventually boil over, and lives could be lost. This film is asking people to rethink their stance.”

Kofi, the film’s production manager, agrees: “It’s a love story everyone can relate to. We’re just telling the story — the audience can form their own judgments.”

Struggles Behind the Scenes

The production process wasn’t easy. The team faced numerous hurdles, from revoked location approvals to skepticism from some local communities. “We shot outside Kano, and relocating our cast and crew was a challenge. In some communities, they thought we were journalists trying to expose them,” Louis recalls.

The phrase “baa shiga” — meaning “no entry” — was common, especially in homes with married women. The crew had to present ID, explain their mission, and build trust. “Some saw us as wayward. It took persistence,” Louis says.

Budget constraints also meant relying on familiar faces. “I met some of the actors while working on ‘Kaka’ and ‘Maimartaba’, and I reached out directly. We couldn’t afford open casting. We often work with back-end budgeting, and that limits who we can bring in.”

Collaboration Over Competition

Even as an independent group, Black Sheep Motion Pictures sees collaboration as essential. “In our last film, we worked with three Kannywood actors and two crew members from the industry. Collaborating with them increases visibility and helps us tell authentic northern stories.”

Louis believes these partnerships are necessary to keep Kano’s film culture thriving. “We need more unity among filmmakers here if we want to grow stronger together.”

Beyond Borders

“Two Shores, One Heart” reflects northern culture in both language and lifestyle. The bilingual film, featuring dialogue in Hausa and English, will complete its festival run before being released online. “Festivals require exclusivity, so we’re waiting before uploading it to YouTube,” Louis says.

Like most of their films, the project was entirely self-funded. “No external sponsors. That’s why visibility through festivals is important. Sometimes, it leads to support for future projects.”

Inspirations and Lessons

Louis credits local mentors for his growth, especially Prince Daniel Aboki, a respected filmmaker in Kano. “I observe his work. He’s serious about what he does. I reach out to him for feedback, and I try to stay updated on what he’s doing.”

Though trained as an electrical engineer at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Louis later enrolled at the National Film Institute in Jos, where he studied directing and cinematography.

His parting words are clear and firm: “Story is king. Even if other aspects fall short, a strong story will always carry your film. Let’s tell the African story  and let’s tell it well.”

The Bigger Picture

In a space often dominated by commercial expectations and repetitive storytelling, Black Sheep Motion Pictures is doing something different, something intentional. Their films serve as reminders that African stories don’t need validation from outside. They need commitment from within.

And for Louis Wise, that’s exactly the goal: to tell better stories, one film at a time.