Some sessions don’t just teach, they shift perspective.
Our Writing for Low-Budget Filmmaking Class was one of those moments. And at the center of it was Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy; a storyteller whose work continues to shape conversations within and beyond the African film space.
With over a decade of experience, and as the Head of Department for Screenwriting at the EbonyLife Creative Academy, he didn’t just speak, he broke things down. From writing within constraints to building stories that travel globally, writing with production reality in mind to turning locations into characters, every insight came from real, lived experience. He showed how powerful stories don’t need excess, just intention.
Thank you, Mr. Sammy. We’re grateful for the knowledge, the honesty, and the depth you brought into that room.
This is exactly what AAIFF stands for, creating access, sharing knowledge, and building a stronger ecosystem for African storytellers.
And this is just the beginning.
More sessions coming.
Last year, I was on a panel alongside @dimiyei@ikennaebue@obinna_okerekeocha at the All Africans Indie Film Festival @allafricansindiefilmfestival . I stood before a room full of men and asked a simple question which at the heart of it was me asking:
“How many of us are actually okay?”
Before the weight of it settled, a voice replied:
“Out of the three depressed men you mentioned… I’m one of them.”
We all laughed.
But I’ve learned that for many men, laughter isn’t joy—it’s a shield.
A way to carry pain without language, pressure without release, and expectations without support.
Many men aren’t living.
THEY’RE ENDURING!!!
Showing up from survival while quietly falling apart within.
In Nigeria, millions battle depression and many of them are men who will never say it out loud.
Men who provide, protect, and perform… but never process.
And over time, that silence speaks.
Even the ones who make us laugh aren’t exempt. Remember Robin Williams?
At the end of our conversation that day, Ike Nnaebue said:
“We need to get a therapist in here.”
Because awareness isn’t enough.
Men need structure.
Men need space.
Men need real help.
That’s why Fathers & Sons was born.
Not just a gathering—but a response.
A space for honesty, challenge, and rebuilding with clarity and truth.
This time, among other things, a licensed psychotherapist will be present and offering real guidance for silent battles.
April 18, 4PM-6PM | Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
Closed. In-person. Intentional.
If you know what it means to carry more than you can explain, you already understand why this matters.
Register NOW!!!
Link in bio
Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy is an award winning Nigerian screenwriter and development executive with over a decade of experience shaping African cinema. His work includes The Weekend, The Razz Guy, and Three Thieves, known for blending humour, emotion, and psychological depth. He also contributes to industry training through EbonyLife Creative Academy and works across writing and development roles in film production.
He will be teaching a session on writing for low budget filmmaking and it is important for emerging filmmakers who want to tell strong stories with limited resources.
Register via link in bio.
#screenwriting #screenwritingworkshop
The 2nd edition of The Refinery is now a fully competitive intake.
All submissions, including those already received, will be reviewed under this updated process.
If you have been waiting to apply, now's the time to put your best foot forward.
Submissions have been extended for a limited time. Selected participants will be contacted.
Good luck.
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#TheRefineryIsHere #ForScreenwriters #OriginalStories
#TheAmataléCollective #TheWorldToAfrica
It's a wrap on my first feature film as a Producer 🎥🥳🎊🎉
Fred's Friend is a comedy horror with a beautiful twist, and it was a joy working on this.
This was a trial by fire, and I was blessed with an amazing cast and crew. You guys are the best I could ask for! ❤️🙏🏽 Thank you for your support, professionalism and dedication 💪🏽
Written by: Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy (you know, me)
Directed by: Chidube Ogbeleje @director_chidube
Director of Photography: John Ekeh @officialakjhon
Production Manager: Oyinkansola Fadoy Taiwo @officialoyinkansola_
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LAST SCRIPTWRITING TRAINING
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A very big thank you, to our trainer for the month @dimiyei we are truly bless to have you with us this month sir. It was a great and impactful session. Thank you sir. Much more grace 🙏🏽
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Your training and development is our goal. Your commitment and consistency is our joy. Your success is our fulfilment. WE ARE THE CREATIVE BUILDERS🌟
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#scriptwritingclass #scriptwriting #thecreativebuilders #thewriters #thewritersmonth
“Be seen. That’s the power of distribution , finding your audience and making sure your story reaches them.”
These were the words of Moses Babatope, Co-Founder and Group Executive Director of FilmOne Entertainment and Executive Director of Nile Cinemas Group, shared during the Men in Arts and Film event held in June 2025, supported by the British Council.
This November 22, he joins us again as one of the panelists at the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF) 2025, where we’ll be exploring distribution, audience connection, and the business of storytelling.
Get ready to learn how to move your film, and your vision, from creation to connection.
#AAIFF2025 #AcrossWatersThroughStories #MosesBabatope #FilmOneEntertainment #NileCinemasGroup #AfricanCinema #BritishCouncil #FilmDistribution #Storytelling #BeSeen #IndieFilmAfrica
“Traditional filmmaking is not replacing digital filmmaking , it’s evolving with it.”
Those were the powerful words of Obinna Okerekeocha, founder of the First AI Film Festival in Africa, during the Men in Arts and Film event held in June 2025 , supported by the British Council @ngbritish
This November, he joins us again at the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF) as one of our distinguished panelists, where he’ll share deep insights on the fusion of AI, creativity, and African storytelling, and how technology is reshaping the way we tell our stories across borders.
Get ready for a mind-shifting conversation at #AAIFF2025.
Because the future of African cinema isn’t coming , it’s already here.
#AAIFF2025 #AcrossWatersThroughStories #ObinnaOkerekeocha #AIinFilm #AfricanCinema #BritishCouncil #InnovationInStorytelling
Join us for an exciting and power-packed class on Scriptwriting Essentials with Egbemawei D. Sammy, where you’ll learn to:
- Structure your story like a pro
- Create strong, memorable characters
- Write natural and powerful dialogue
- Understand the art of script construction.
- Q&A session to answer your writing questions!
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*JOIN US*
Date: Saturday, 25th October, 2025
Time: 10 AM
Platform: Google Meet
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click on the link below to get registered👇🏼
https://forms.gle/B3P5zkBSrnyWSbfU6
Let’s build stories that move hearts and changes the world 🌎
#thecreativebuilder #scriptwritingessentials #screenwritingclass #writerscommunit #filmmaking #Storytelling #tcbtraining #writershub Are you ready?
Ready to Bring Your Stories to Life?
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Don’t just dream about writing great scripts learn how to build them!
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Join us for an exciting and power-packed class on Scriptwriting Essentials with Egbemawei D. Sammy, where you’ll learn to:
- Structure your story like a pro
- Create strong, memorable characters
- Write natural and powerful dialogue
- Understand the art of script construction.
- Q&A session to answer your writing questions!
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JOIN US
Date: Saturday, 25th October, 2025
Time: 10 AM
Platform: Google Meet
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Swipe left to scan the barcode on the next slide or click the registration link in our bio to save your spot now!
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Let’s build stories that move hearts and change screens.
#thecreativebuilder #scriptwritingessentials #screenwritingclass #writerscommunit #filmmaking #Storytelling #tcbtraining #writershub Are you ready?
I bring to you @dimiyei an Award winning Screenwriter that I happen to be one of his student @ebonylifecreativeacademy screenwriting class. He is not lucky, you know what he is?
He is smart, he is talented, he takes advantage of the opportunities that comes his way and write really, really hard.
So don’t call him lucky, call him badass with a blessed hands that writes amazing stories.
Head to my YouTube channel @arabellaWorld_ to watch as well. 🤩❤️🤩
