“The Interrogation of Lotanna” wins Best Nollywood Short Film at UK’s Realtime International Film Festival

Nigerian cinema continues to make waves on the global stage as “The Interrogation of Lotanna” clinched the Best Nollywood Short Film award at the Realtime International Film Festival (RTF) in Birmingham, UK.

The win highlights the growing international recognition of Nigerian short-form content and the emergence of new voices in the industry.

Directed by Reginald Jumbo, known as Grandmaster Prime, the film tells the story of Captain Ardo, a military commander seeking to quell a rebellion in eastern Nigeria. The narrative explores themes of conflict, loyalty, and the complexities of truth during interrogation.

Ibukun Adetoyinbo, one of the film’s producers, spoke about the impact of this international recognition. “It’s a huge privilege to be seen and recognized even in one’s community, to a great honor to be recognized internationally,” Adetoyinbo said. “It means your limits are only imagined in your mind, they’re not real.”

She believes this success will inspire other Nigerian filmmakers. “These recognitions will not only ignite young filmmakers but also encourage storytellers out there that their stories want to be heard, so they should put them out there.”

Addressing the challenges of producing short films in Nigeria, Adetoyinbo noted that while obstacles are numerous, access to funding is a common hurdle. However, she emphasized the rewards of the process. “The reward for me is that you have made a good film that can resonate with people’s emotions, films that can speak to their thought patterns. To me, that’s one of the greatest rewards – and of course, money,” she added with a smile.

RTF, founded in 2016 by Stanley Ohikhuare, has become a significant platform for emerging filmmakers, with 80% of its annual participants being up-and-coming creatives. The festival has played a crucial role in launching young filmmakers’ careers, many of whom have gone on to secure deals with major streaming platforms.

This year’s festival featured several Nigerian entries, including “Garden of Healing” by Ozor Uche and “Kaka” by Prince Daniel, showcasing the diversity of stories emerging from the country’s film industry.

With Nollywood gaining more international recognition, festivals like RTF provide crucial exposure for new talent, potentially shaping the future of Nollywood and its global perception.

The success of “The Interrogation of Lotanna” at RTF may open doors for more Nigerian short films on the international festival circuit, further bridging the gap between Nollywood and global cinema.