Cinetic has signed a deal with filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson to help launch the original slate for the non-fiction film.
This year, Benson became the first Nigerian filmmaker to win Emmy, who directed Disney’s original documentary, “MADU,” and won the award for outstanding arts and culture documentary.
“This Emmy is a victory for storytellers in Nigeria, Africa and everywhere. When our stories are important and are told with caution, they can travel and transform,” Benson said.
Co-directed with Oscar nominee Matt Ogens and produced by Hunting Lane, “Madu” captured the world and recorded the chronicle, from Anthony Madu’s Virus sense in Lagos to barefoot pirouettes and the British fame Elmhurst Ballet School scholarship.
Benson is based in Lagos, Nigeria, and develops original slates of non-fiction projects aimed at global audiences. Two are currently under development. The first is a feature-length documentary about one of Africa’s most successful women’s soccer teams, and the second feature-length documentary about the incredible aftermath of Employment.
Benson’s latest documentary, Mothers of Chibok, premiered at Doc NYC 2024 and is currently playing the International Festival Circuit. The film sees a woman whose daughter was accused of in 2014 at Chibok Boko Haram’s invitation. This is the sequel to Benson’s immersive documentary, “The Daughter’s Chibok,” premiered at the 76th Venice Film Festival, and won the most immersive story of the Venice Lion. Benson is the first person on the African continent to win an award in that category.
“Transactions like ‘Madhu’ and ‘Mother of Chibok’ reinforce my belief that documentaries can truly change your life,” Benson said. “They allow us to bridge division, promote understanding and amplify the voices we need to hear.”
Driven by his belief in the power of African storytelling, Benson intends to create a first-person storytelling laboratory in Lagos, which focuses on having practical skills for the first-time filmmakers. The Institute serves as an incubator and platform for African stories, allowing you to find a global audience.
