Following the double win for her short film In Her Shoes at the Lagos Fringe Film Festival, Nigerian writer-director Ella Chikezie has discussed what the milestone represents for her storytelling journey in Nollywood.
In an interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Chikezie said the recognition is affirming and reflects her commitment to telling honest stories that challenge harmful stereotypes about women and people living with autism in Nigeria.
“Being recognized for Best Female Representation in Film is especially humbling. It reinforces my responsibility and privilege to portray women and children with dignity and to use my voice, craft, and platform as a force for change,” she said.
According to the founder of FlyGrade Media, she wrote the core story of In Her Shoes during her university days while volunteering with an autism-focused NGO in Port Harcourt and knew she wanted to tell the story despite funding challenges.
The opportunity came in 2024 during a Tricom Productions workshop on using media to combat gender-based violence, funded by Ford Foundation, where participants were unexpectedly asked to pitch a film.
“No one knew a pitch session or funding was coming. I teamed up with my friend and business partner, Precious Iroagalachi, refined the story, pitched it, and we got funded. That moment reminded me that blessings come when you’re actively doing the work. Preparation meets opportunity,” she said.
Chikezie said she never expected the milestones In Her Shoes has achieved in such a short time. “My hope was that the film would spark dialogue, shift mindsets, and reach as many spaces as possible: schools, churches, communities, festivals, anywhere people gather. Seeing it do all of that, and win awards along the way, has been truly incredible.”
For her, In Her Shoes represents what being a girl child in Nigeria is like: incredibly tough, especially in a society shaped by deep-rooted patriarchy. The film stands firmly in that truth because every girl deserves the choice to be who they want to be.
One of her biggest challenges while filming In Her Shoes was the crowd scene, set in a busy community. Shooting the exterior wasn’t easy because every time they set up the camera, a crowd instantly gathered. “But interestingly, it ended up working in our favor,” Chikezie noted.
On future distribution plans for the award-winning short film, she said there are ongoing conversations with several organizations and platforms as she and her team actively seek distribution opportunities. “Hopefully, In Her Shoes will be available on a streaming platform soon for a wider audience to experience it.”