From self-funded shorts to global recognition, a young storyteller is putting Northern Nigeria on the map.
Peter Friday didn’t set out to make headlines.
Based in Kano, far from Nigeria’s traditional film hubs, the young director began creating short films out of necessity, telling stories with the limited resources and support he had available.
But his latest project, “Stripped,” has drawn unexpected attention after being selected on FilmFreeway for festival screening, validating a path built on grit, urgency, and community effort.
Written, directed, and self-funded by Friday, “Stripped” was inspired by the arrest of activist Verydarkman by the EFCC, a moment that stirred national debates about free speech and accountability. “The central message of “Stripped” is that freedom of speech exists; however, freedom after speech isn’t guaranteed,” he says.
While the film isn’t a direct attack on leadership, it was born out of a desire to ask difficult questions about civic voice and safety. Without a full team or funding, he took on nearly every role himself: from being the director to becoming the makeup artist, lighting technician, and costume designer. He was determined to bring his message to life by any means necessary.
In an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Friday opens up about how “Stripped” came to life, the personal weight it carries, and the uphill climb that defines independent filmmaking in Northern Nigeria.
The Origins of “Stripped”
Friday first conceived the idea for “Stripped” in the aftermath of Verydarkman’s arrest. The event unsettled him and prompted reflection. “We asked: do citizens still have a voice in this country, and if they do, are they safe after using it?” he says.
With collaborators unavailable, Friday became a one-man crew – writing, directing, planning, and managing the entire production. “I didn’t want to wait for the perfect crew or budget,” he explains. “I just wanted to make something.” Even when overwhelmed by the workload, he remained focused on the urgency of the story.
Budget Constraints and a DIY Production
The entire project was funded from Friday’s own savings—just under ₦200,000, which he saved while working as a teaching assistant. With no formal support, he turned to friends who offered what help they could. The crew was made up of passionate volunteers from the local theatre space and, in some cases, one actor played two roles with smart costuming and hidden faces.
There were no professional lighting setups. Instead, they used desk lamps and natural light. “We didn’t even have proper lighting kits,” he says. “We just hoped for good weather.” He relied on instinct and internet tutorials, having never received formal film training. Despite delays from actors and limited resources, he pushed forward with a clear sense of purpose.
Festival Circuit and Growing Recognition
After completing the short, Friday uploaded it to FilmFreeway and began the long wait typical of indie submissions. Then came the breakthrough: “I cried when I got the first email,” he says. “It felt like a professional was holding my hand, saying, ‘I see your baby steps; let me help you walk.’”
That recognition affirmed his core belief that telling stories rooted in his immediate environment – with honesty and urgency – could resonate far beyond Northern Nigeria. “They watched it on my dashboard and asked for the full file. That meant they were interested. They saw something.”
The Weight of the Story
Though fictional, “Stripped” reflects real social tensions by drawing from lived experiences, political realities, and creative frustrations. Friday didn’t want to make a surface-level or passive film. He wanted something that would linger. “We didn’t make a film just to create awareness,” he says. “We wanted people to feel uncomfortable, to think.”
But the toll on him was heavy. “I was mentally drained after editing. I couldn’t write for weeks. I kept replaying the scenes,” he says. The pressure of playing so many roles and capturing such a charged message left him emotionally exhausted.
The Kano Film Scene and Its Struggles
Friday is one of several emerging Northern filmmakers crafting socially conscious films outside the Kannywood mainstream. While he respects the commercial industry, he’s forging a new lane: one that tells hard truths, not just crowd-pleasers.
“There’s little funding or infrastructure here,” he says. “Most grants and industry programs are Lagos-centric. But talent is everywhere.” He’s noticed more young creators turning to mobile phones, YouTube, and short film platforms to break out of the gate. And he’s doing more than just talking – he’s building.
With his initiative, Kreatives Production, he hopes to create a media hub where young artists, theatre students, and storytellers in Kano can learn, collaborate, and grow together. “Students shouldn’t wait to graduate before they start creating,” he says. “We want to build a community of dangerous creatives – people who will change the game.”
Looking Ahead
Friday’s next short will explore learning disabilities in Northern children, which is a subject he says is often misunderstood and neglected. “Many parents mistake learning difficulties for dullness, leading to low self-esteem,” he explains. “I want to change that.”
He’s also applying to workshops and seeking mentorship to sharpen his skills. Despite having lost projects due to hard drive failures and even falling ill from overwork, he’s more committed than ever. “It doesn’t take money to make films,” he says. “It takes dangerous people. People who are hungry and ready to create, no matter what.”