Babatunde Apalowo Teases ‘Londoner’ Ahead of 2024 Berlinale Co-Production Market
Following an impressive worldwide festival run with All The Colours of The World Are Between Black and White that began with a global premiere at the 2023 Berlinale, Babatunde Apalowo is set to return to the prestigious film festival next month.
The director’s upcoming title, a first for a Nigerian, has been selected as one of the 34 film projects from 27 countries across the globe (chosen from 318 submissions) for the 21st Berlinale Co-Production Market, to take place from February 17-21.
Apalowo is part of the Berlinale Directors section which features three brand-new projects in the early funding stages including his film titled Londoner, a co-production between Nigeria’s Polymath Pictures, and the UK’s Cato Street Productions and Sixteen Films.
Sharing his excitement about making it to the festival for the second time, he tells WhatKeptMeUp, “It means a great deal to me. To have my second project – at this scope – to be at this level. I feel grateful for my UK partners. It feels surreal to be returning to the festival in this manner, and with Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films and Cato Street productions partnering with me on this journey. I am excited and hopeful for what is to come.”
Teasing the new project, Londoner, the writer and director says, “I can’t say much but it’s a story of migration, family, and geographical displacement. The project is a second collaboration between my production company, Polymath Pictures and Cato Street Productions.”
The Co-Production Market will organise over 1,500 one-to-one meetings to allow producers to seek co-production, funding and partnership for international co-productions.
In addition to Apalowo, Nigeria will also be represented by filmmakers and professionals who are part of the 202 filmmakers selected for its Berlinale Talents development programme themed ‘Common Tongues – Speaking Out in the Language of Cinema’, running from February 17-22.
And Even More Nigerians at Berlinale 2024
Chosen from over 3,000 applicants from 131 countries, the list includes actor Tobi Bakre, as well as film critic and journalist Ini-Abasi Jeffrey.
Jeffrey, seeking growth and development of his cinema views, shares, “As filmmaking evolves, we who curate conversations around it should also evolve with it. So I’m excited about the new conversations and ideas about documenting and discussing films.”
On the back of Jerry Chiemeke’s attendance last year, Jeffrey sees the selection as a reminder of the importance of his efforts and is looking forward to the conversations with his global peers. “It’s very validating for me and the work I do. A lot of time writing about films, especially Nollywood films, is met with dismissal or casual conversation,” he tells WKMUp. “I’m also looking forward to being a sort of ambassador, in my little way, of Nigerian films. I want to be able to bring the necessary local context to the films that will be screened and discussed there.”
Tobi Bakre is following in the footsteps of Nigerian actors like OC Ukeje, Tope Tedela, and Uzoamaka Aniunoh, who have once been a part of the Talents initiative. On his selection, Tobi Bakre humbly shares in a statement with WKMUp, “It’s a blessing to be chosen to be a part of such a prestigious family and body of professionals. Over 3000 applicants and to be chosen sure makes me proud of my work and journey thus far.”
The Gangs of Lagos star adds, “The hope is to learn and network with other professionals across the world and break the boundaries of geography where we can cross-pollinate talents from Africa and the rest of the world telling the most unique and impactful stories.”
Bakre and Jeffrey are part of the selected African talents from various parts of the continents including Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, DR Congo, Senegal, and Egypt.
The 74th Berlin International Film Festival will run from February 15-25.
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