‘We who are not as others’
Short Film by Stephen Rudder

The movies were always something that captivated me, although my hunger to express my own voice grew when I realised that advertising left me unsatisfied - creating powerful drama is where I need to be. In 1997 I graduated from film school with the zeal I would need as an independent filmmaker. With meagre budgets and a lot of determination I’ve continued making films since leaving, whilst working in the commercials and feature film industries as a video assist operator. But my focus is to direct memorable work that touches people at their core.

‘Rooted’
Animation by Victor Olusola Opeyokun

Victor is a freelance artist who works mainly in animation. His television work includes the broadcasted Powergen commercials - work he carried out at London's Picasso Pictures animation studio. He has also been called to work in photography and design, proving his flexibility and adaptability in a range of mediums.

Victor lectures at schools and Universities on the creation of animated films and the use of music, which features strongly in his work. At present he teaches animation part time at the Arts and Media School in Islington and designs for websites incorporating animated characters.

Victor was nominated for the Ethnic Media Awards (EMMA), which were held at the Dorchester Hotel in May 1999. Out of many talented young hopefuls, Victor was nominated by many of the industries established names under the category of Best Male Media Newcomer under 25. Since then Victor and his work has been featured on radio 'London Live' and in newspaper articles. He has begun production on his second short animated film 'Transcend', which he is looking forward to completing. His New film is produced via his newly formed company Rooted Productions.

For more info check out www.rootedproductions.com

Email: victoropeyokun@hotmail.com

‘One Sunday Morning’ and 'Mangwana'
Short films by Manu Kurewa

After two years at Art School and working extensively with youth groups in Zimbabwean townships, devising plays that voiced community concern, Manu got his first taste of film working as a runner on Chris Menges'A World Apart. He then went to Scotland where he attended various film and video workshops and made his first film, Sugar for my Honey, a 20-minute short, screened at several European festivals.

In 1994 Manu got a place at the NFTS, where he has made three further films. One of them, One Sunday Morning, has received five major awards at intemational film festivals and was nominated for a Student Oscar. In 1996, he also directed The Cold Season for the Lloyds Bank Channel Four Film Challenge. Mangwana is Manu's graduation film.

‘Bird of Prophecy, Self Prophecy’ and ‘Life Encore’
Animations by Benjamin Ogbebor

Benjamin Ogbebor a British born Nigerian artist, lived in Nigeria before returning to live, work and continue his education in England. He successfully completed a diploma in General Art and Design, and a degree in Graphic Fine Art. Through studying this courses that embodied various disciplines, and also being self taught, Benjamin acquired and is still acquiring skills and techniques in Graphic Design, Illustration, and Animation as the technological field of the arts evolves.

Benjamin’s animation is a mixture of hand drawings, computer colouring, effects, and editing. “Bird Of Prophecy, Self Prophecy”, an animation directed by Benjamin took it’s story line from an ancient myth originating from Benin City in Nigeria. In a philosophical view, it represents moments when people aspire, and work towards a goal without allowing fear stand in their way.

The five-minute animation materialized through research, literature, photographs, and studying of artifacts, from which Benjamin produced drawings, computer generated images accompanied with sound. “Bird of Prophecy, Self Prophecy” was completed for the 2001-degree show at the University of East London, and it was part of a showreel that same year at an animation segment of the Black Film Festival.