Last Wednesday, July 9, Scott Hillier, President of the ÉCU Film Festival Group, had the opportunity to sit down with acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker C. J. Obasi. Our conversation revolved around his latest film Mami Wata, which won Africa’s Best Independent Film at the 2024 All African Independent Film Festival (AAIFF Africa). We were able to learn so much from Obasi, most notably how he found his place in the world of cinema.

Obasi’s journey began in the Southern Nigerian city of Owerri, where his father’s position as a university professor ensured that books were always a staple in their home. He spoke passionately about how reading became the foundation for his imaginative thinking as a filmmaker: “Reading forces you to…work that imaginative part of your brain”, he reflects. “The brain is a muscle — you have to work it.” 

Yet, it wasn’t just books that ignited his creativity. Growing up, Obasi was deeply captivated by the glow of the television screen. Each day, a single movie (or two, if he was lucky) would air on one channel — an event he likened to a special experience. His eyes glowed with nostalgia when describing the anticipation of watching a film during his childhood. “It’s not like now when you have Netflix”, he recounts — a time before the luxury of instant streaming. Back then, there was an enchanting element of randomness. 

Obasi once believed he would become a writer, viewing storytelling as a gateway into the world of film. But life had other plans, pushing him directly into filmmaking. This transition didn’t happen easily, though. He left behind a stable yet monotonous job to pursue his passion for filmmaking, despite having no formal education in the field. In the beginning, he worked without a professional team, without an editor, and with limited resources. Still, his drive to make films massively outweighed his fear of failure. “If you don’t fail, you don’t learn,” he said, reflecting on those early days when he taught himself everything from scratch.

The big break in Obasi’s career was Ojuju (2014), his first full-length film. It was inspired by his childhood love for dark stories from writers like Stephen King. Ojuju earned recognition at various film festivals and brought in much-needed financial support, allowing Obasi to keep his passion alive. He began to view festivals as a turning point for ambitious filmmakers: “Film festivals have certainly changed my life. I don’t know how else I would have made it to where I am today if it weren’t for film festivals.” He added, “Film festivals have shown the possibilities of where cinema can go, or what can come out of Nigeria.” After years of hard work, Obasi finally saw the potential opportunity for a successful filmmaking career.

By the time Obasi began crafting Mami Wata, he had already achieved everything he’d dreamed of as a filmmaker: a skilled editor, a talented cinematographer, a cast of dedicated actors and extras, and full creative freedom. He described the shooting experience – which took place in Nigeria – as almost “supernatural”. 

In fact, some of the sets were located right beside a real Mami Wata shrine, where authentic rituals were taking place. For Obasi, the film was both an “homage” and a “form of reverence” toward Africa’s spiritual truths — and even the natural world seemed to agree. The ocean’s rhythmic movements and the synchronized scuttling of crabs on the shoreline appeared almost staged, as if nature itself were performing alongside him, affirming his exploration of Mami Wata. “It really felt like I was living in a dream – in a fever dream, in a sense”, he claimed. 

In addition to winning AAIFF Africa’s most prestigious award at the All African Independent Film Festival, Obasi received international acclaim for Mami Wata. It earned enthusiastic reviews from The Hollywood Reporter and IndieWire, and others, and holds an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. At the Sundance Film Festival, it received the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography. It also took home top honors at the Dublin International Film Festival for Best Cinematography, and won Best International Competition at the Fantaspoa International Fantastic Film Festival. These are just a handful of the astounding 15 wins and 27 nominations that the film accumulated IMBd.¹

Despite his massive success, however, Obasi remains deeply attached to the magical potential of film festivals. For emerging filmmakers — much like himself in his early days — festivals offer a vital pathway to recognition in an increasingly competitive industry. “Film festivals have certainly changed my life. I don’t know how else I would have made it to where I am if it weren’t for film festivals,” Obasi asserted. 

AAIFF Africa is beyond delighted to have Obasi as the President of the Jury for the 2025 All African Independent Film Festival. More than a visionary filmmaker, Obasi embodies the journey that the ÉCU Film Festival Group champions — the trajectory of every aspiring artist to break through. His story isn’t merely one of cinematic acclaim. It’s a testament to unwavering dedication and creative craftsmanship: from humble beginnings to multi-award-winning auteur. Obasi’s rise illustrates the power of vision, but also the discipline required to not just bring that vision to life — but to continually uncover oneself along the way. As he said during the interview, “I think the point of filmmaking is to learn more about yourself.”

If you want to hear more about Obasi’s journey, go check out the full ÉCU Friday Live Podcast episode on Spotify. 

1.  Mami Wata (2023), IMBd, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6315898/awards/ [accessed 3:15 PM, 16 July, 2025]
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