Uduak Isong Launches Closer Film Night, Celebrates Nollywood’s Online Creatives

Iyke Bede

Nigerian filmmaker Uduak Isong, in celebration of creatives in the film industry primarily showcasing their productions on streaming platform YouTube, brought together some of the industry’s prominent figures to mark the launch of Closer Film Night (CFN).

The maiden edition, staged at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, served as a platform to showcase online creatives who have continually produced remarkable works to entertain Nigerians. It featured awards that celebrated outstanding achievements in Nollywood and honoured exceptional talent within the industry.

This exclusive event also served as a launchpad for ‘Teacher Dorcas,’ a high school film about a spirited young woman, Teacher Dorcas, posted to head a class of very unruly students. The plot reveals an inspirational story following the passionate teacher (played by Bimbo Ademoye) as she navigates the challenges of her adolescent students, discovers their strengths, and strives to make a positive impact on the school and community. The film features other Nollywood stars such as Lateef Adedimeji, Lasisi Elenu, Calabar Chic, and Chuks Joseph, while introducing several upcoming actors.

Directed by Isong, the film presents an ensemble of fresh faces. “We have to grow the industry, and the best way to do this is to invest in people to whom we can one day pass the baton,” she explained. “The next level for me is hopefully a collaboration in the UK because I moved to England about four years ago. So I’m hoping to do a project that cuts across both continents.”

Isong started showcasing some of her movies on YouTube a few years ago as a means to reach a wider audience.

Last year, lead actress Ademoye won Best Actress in a Comedy at the AMVCA awards for her role in ‘Selina,’ a comedy also produced by Isong, which has garnered over 20 million views on YouTube.

Isong plans to hold the next edition of Closer Film Night in the UK. The star-studded event was graced by notable personalities, including Desmond Elliott, Zeb Ejiro, and Funny Bone.