Veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani has joined reputable global filmmakers who make use of their smartphones for their film productions.
At the ongoing iREP International Documentary Film Festival, veteran filmmaker, Kelani screened his latest collaborative effort with Bola Bello ‘Yoruba Without Border’ which was shot with two smartphones.
According to Kelani, his desire to make such ground-breaking attainment occurred after stumbling on American film Director Steven Soderberg’s ‘Unsane’ film shot with an iPhone, read extensively on how to use a smartphone to shoot a film. The result of that research was stunning visuals that clearly interprets the storylines of his documentary.
The filmmaker further revealed that the film was shot over a week and two days while post-production took about six weeks.
“The phone today is more than just a tool for communication. Once you are familiar with the gadgetry, you can use it for your film and nowadays almost all the softwares found on the camera is available on a smartphone,” said Kelani.
‘Yoruba Without Border’ traces Yorubas living in Port Novo, Republic of Benin and celebrates their cultural heritage. The film also touched on how the language blurs the seeming borders and promote humanity.
This year marks the ninth edition of iREP which over the years has celebrated the less glamorous film genre. At its opening ceremony yesterday, the organisers honoured Bolanle Austen-Peters, the founder of BAP Productions and Terra Kulture. She was honoured for her contribution to the art and motion pictures.
In attendance at the event were several Nigerian art and movie practitioners that include Tunde Kelani, Steve Gukas, Dr. Tunji Azeez, Kunle Afolayan, and Kemi Lala Akindoju.
The annual film festival celebrates the best of documentary films in Africa and beyond.
For 2019, organisers have said nothing will be different as the film festival kicks off on March 21, 2019, till March 24, 2019, at Freedom Park, Broad Street; and Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi, Lagos
