John Boyega Joins Julie Aduenga And Converse To Premiere 5 Short Films By Upcoming Creatives!

A few days ago, John Boyega joined Julie Adenuga to premier five All-Star filmmakers and unveil their films for the first time. In October 2021 the actor joined forces with Converse on the Create Next Film Project, to encourage the next generation of upcoming Black filmmakers. The project focuses on the new wave of Black talent while highlighting underrepresentation issues within film. Five London filmmakers; Ade Femzo, Kaylen Francis, Kemi Anna Adeeko, Lorraine Khamali, and Ibrahim Muhammad, have all directed, written, and produced their own five-minute short films which were shown at Tuesday's premiere at London’s Curzon Cinema.

Before the event, John Boyega said, “It’s been incredibly inspiring to see how much the five filmmakers have grown during this project. I’m genuinely excited to cross paths and work with all of them in the future. But this project wasn’t only about five filmmakers, it’s really about every aspiring Black filmmaker in London and beyond being inspired to achieve their creative dream and Create Next in the industry.”

During the process of creating the films, each creative had mentoring sessions and checkpoints with Boyega and industry experts which ensured they were also gaining valuable training throughout their journey. the sessions included editing with Leon Carlton (edited for Kojey Radical), treatment making with Abdou Cisse, a BIFA nominated director, scriptwriting and storytelling with BFI London Film Festival featured, John Ogunmuyiwa and so much more.

About the 5 All-Star Filmmakers

ADE FEMZO

Ade Femzo, 21, is an actor, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and the founder of ACP network - a creative

platform for people to come together to create, learn and experience the film industry. He has

created 9 short films so far in which he invites his audience to see a different side of life and where it

can take them. He dreams of becoming an owner one day of his own studio.

KAYLEN FRANCIS

Kaylen Francis, 23, is a filmmaker and actor from South London who’s passion for storytelling started

at a young age when he watched films as a form of escape. As a creative both in front of and behind

the camera, his true goal is to create films that are full of depth and meaning and to enable his

viewers to feel empowered and uplifted.

KEMI ANNA ADEEKO

Kemi, 22, is a London based film director, from Nigeria. Starting off as an advertising student Kemi-

Anna realised quickly her true purpose sits behind the camera in giving insight into the real stories of

people surrounding her. She’s passionate about the positive representation of black communities

and in creating narratives that they can aspire to and truly see themselves in.

IBRAHIM MUHAMMAD

Ibrahim Muhammad, 19, is a photographer and film student at The University of Westminster who

fell in love with film in his early years. Inspired by his father who took him to the cinema every week,

his dedication can be felt in all of his work. Ibrahim’s films are influenced by artistic and

experimental ideas and characterised by an exploration of the honesty in people.

LORRAINE KHAMALI

Filmmaker and photographer Lorraine Khamali, 22, grew up in Kenya and moved to London when

she was just 12. Starting young documenting friends and family, she progressed quickly into working

on real film sets as a behind-the-scenes photographer whilst studying at Uni. She loves finding the

beauty in the every day and describes her work as an intimate exploration and celebration of the

beauty found in the people she meets, and the emotions she feels.