A platform for local stories, connected to wider film conversations.
The Benue Short Films Gala (BSFG), held on 22–23 December 2022, was the pilot phase of BENIFFEST’s work to create a stronger platform for films and filmmakers connected to Benue. Organised by the Benue International Film Festival in collaboration with Exodus Cinema, Makurdi, the event was built around the theme “Eyes on Local” and the conviction that local stories and creative talent deserved greater visibility and stronger connections to the wider film industry.
The event brought filmmakers, television practitioners, talent scouts, film enthusiasts and members of the public together for two days of screenings and creative exchange. Seventeen films were screened from a larger pool of submissions. The selection reflected a reach beyond Benue alone, including work from other parts of Nigeria and international locations such as the United States and Canada.
The programme combined film screenings with a red-carpet and art showcase, panel discussions, jury participation and an awards night. The discussions created space for conversations about filmmaking and documentary practice, story development and cinematography. International panelists participated virtually, extending the event’s conversations beyond the immediate local setting.
The festival also included a jury and recognised outstanding work through its awards. Among the screened films, Ogun Ola received Best Short Film and recognition in four additional categories. The awards formed part of the event’s effort to celebrate filmmaking and encourage continued creative work.
More than a screening event, the Gala gave BENIFFEST an opportunity to test a platform for bringing films, audiences and industry participants together in Makurdi. It demonstrated the value of creating a space where local stories could be encountered alongside films from elsewhere, and where filmmakers could exchange ideas with practitioners beyond their immediate networks.
The pilot also provided practical lessons. The programme was ambitious for a two-day event, with 17 films and discussions to accommodate. Time pressure, financial constraints and a clash with another event presented challenges, including limitations on attendance. These experiences became part of the organisation’s learning as it considered how to develop the festival and its activities.
The significance of the 2022 edition lies in the foundation it established: a platform for exhibition, recognition and exchange, rooted in Benue but open to wider film communities. It gave BENIFFEST a starting point from which to explore other needs in the local ecosystem, including the development of emerging talent and opportunities for practical filmmaking.
The next stage would extend that work beyond presenting films. In 2023, BENIFFEST introduced Benue Kids Can Act, a free acting programme for children that would move from training into a film project and help connect some participants with professional opportunities.
The Benue Short Films Gala remains an important milestone in BENIFFEST’s journey, from creating a platform for films to building a wider, year-round ecosystem for talent, projects and creative collaboration.
