A Young Visionary’s Journey: How a Morning Scene in Bonny Island Birthed a Powerful Nigerian Film
Rising filmmaker Allison Nuel has transformed a fleeting moment witnessed on Bonny Island into his groundbreaking debut feature film, “The Boy Who Gave,” which premiered at the prestigious Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos on November 7. The 23-year-old director’s journey from award-winning short films to this ambitious feature showcases a fresh voice in Nigerian cinema.
One morning in Rivers State, Nuel spotted a twelve-year-old boy walking his younger siblings to school – an ordinary scene that sparked an extraordinary creative journey. This simple observation of firstborn responsibility in African households became the heart of his narrative. “I watched the film a million times in my head,” Nuel shares with The Nollywood Reporter, reflecting on how that single moment evolved into a full-fledged feature.
Already known for acclaimed shorts like “Daddy Lessons” (which won both the UN Nigeria Short Film Competition and a Sony Pictures-sponsored award), Nuel took an unconventional path to his feature debut. Rather than casting celebrities, he chose authenticity, discovering raw talent through local auditions in Bonny Island. He partnered with respected actor Jukes Joseph while training newcomers who had never faced a camera before.
The 20-day shoot on location saw Nuel wearing multiple hats – director, producer, costume designer, and lead actor. With guidance from Femi Okusongwu of House Giver Studios as production consultant, the young filmmaker maintained creative control from script to screen. “The film I made is better than the film I wanted to make,” he reflects with satisfaction.
What sets “The Boy Who Gave” apart isn’t just its regional setting away from Lagos’s familiar landscape, but its intimate exploration of family dynamics, sacrifice, and identity in Nigerian society. For Nuel, who turns 24 on November 10, this debut represents more than personal achievement – it signals a shift toward authentic storytelling in Nigerian cinema.
As “The Boy Who Gave” begins its festival journey, having already been submitted to international festivals, Nuel stands firm in his commitment to feature filmmaking. “Now I’ve dropped shorts. I’m making features,” he declares, ready to continue telling stories that reveal the deeper truths behind everyday Nigerian life.
Through his lens, Nuel reminds us that behind every ordinary scene – like a boy walking siblings to school – lies an extraordinary story waiting to be told. “Sometimes you just see a boy walking his siblings to school,” he observes, “But behind that, there’s a whole life we never ask about.” With “The Boy Who Gave,” he’s asking – and answering – those unspoken questions.
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