In addition to thirteen other films screened at the 2024 Beeta Arts which covered a wide range of subjects, ‘For Amina’ a gender inclusion and female education advocacy fiction, opened the festival.
Starring festival founder, Bikiya Graham-Douglas in the lead role, Boma, the film tells of a mother’s effort to ensure the actualization of her daughter’s dream. Boma Ishaya becomes the lone voice against a corrupt system, when her daughter Aisha’s education is at risk.
Speaking at the premiere and festival opening, Graham-Douglas said the protagonist is reminiscent of her deceased mother and the extent she’d go to ensure her children achieve their dreams.
It was rediscovering shared notes with her mother on Beeta Arts Festival (BAF), that provided the boost she needed to kickstart the festival in 2021.
Director, Lindsey Efejuku, said the film emphasizes accountability, which the 2024 16 Days Activism On Elimination of Violence Against Women pontificates.
“In Nigeria, one of our greatest problems is zero accountability. Even in the area of sexual and gender-based violence. People feel nothing is going to happen. That they can do whatever they want and get away with it. Which is what the film is about. It is about holding people accountable for their actions.
“I hope viewers understand what we are trying to do with it. How Nigeria says it provides free education but it’s not really free. Who do we hold accountable for things like that? It’s about how our children are supposed to get free textbooks and school supplies, yet end up paying for them. Who do we hold accountable?
“I hope they can go away with the knowledge that they do have a voice. This is one mother’s voice that changed everything. We are saying, “you have a voice. You can speak up more, and your voice will be heard. It might take time, but you will be heard.”
Besides ‘For Amina’, Efejuku has shot a new movie based on the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi called ‘Remi and Nneoma’, set for release in 2025, in addition to the premieres of ‘Lasgidi Corps’, a Canal Blue first original film, and a romance movie ‘Love Lockdown’ to premiere February 17, 2025.
