Nollywood Short films are largely underrated. While not as popular as its features and series, Nollywood filmmakers, particularly young filmakers have created incredible and heartferlt short films. While audiences tend to gravitate towards mainstream feature films, there is a growing collection of short films that deserve attention for their unique narratives and outstanding quality.
Short films. defined by their brief runtime of under 40 minutes, are a crucial yet often overlooked component of the global film industry. While many moviegoers are familiar with the sprawling narratives of feature-length films, short films distill storytelling into its most concentrated form, delivering interesting narratives in a brief fraction of the time.
Despite their length, short films employ the same level of creativity, technical skill, and production processes as their feature-length counterparts. From casting and cinematography to lighting and design, a short film’s compact runtime does not diminish its artistic quality or its ability to leave a lasting impact on viewers.
This article highlights some of the best Nigerian short films, each offering a glimpse into the future of Nollywood and the creative talent shaping it; and it could be a good choice for your watchlist!
Fishbone (33 minutes)
Yup. We’re starting the list with quite a controversial one. Fishbone (2020), directed by Editi Effiong, is a powerful short film that dives into the dark world of drug counterfeiting, set in the slums of Makoko, Lagos. This Nollywood short film tells the story of Mama T (played by a commanding Shaffy Bello), a ruthless drug counterfeiter whose operation involves re-labelling fake drugs and pushing them into the market. Effiong’s direction creates a vivid portrayal of societal exploitation, as Mama T’s illicit empire thrives at the expense of the poor.
The cinematography, with stunning drone shots and sharp lighting, transports viewers into the contrasting worlds of the wealthy and the oppressed. The film’s exploration of social injustice, karma, and the unchecked power of the elite is highlighted through Bello’s performance, with her character’s dominance gradually unravelling as karma tightens its grip. Effiong’s use of silence to communicate, especially in the exchanges between Mama T and Inspector Okon (Etim Effiong), make the tension palpable.
While Fishbone excels in its storytelling, the film’s post-credit shift to discussing Nollywood piracy is problematic. The abrupt change in messaging from counterfeit drugs to intellectual theft feels tone-deaf, considering the devastating real-world impact of fake drugs on countless lives. Though piracy is a valid topic for discussion, raising it in this context diminishes the gravity of the film’s core message. Nonetheless, it impresses as a directorial debut, offering a fast-paced narrative with strong performances, visually striking cinematography, and an engaging exploration of justice, power, and exploitation. The film is available on YouTube.
The Encounter (22 minutes)
If you’re drawn to films that peel back the layers of human motivation in the face of national tragedy, The Encounter (2015) will leave you haunted after the credits roll! Its strong dialogue, period accuracy, emotional performances, and brilliant cinematography make it an unforgettable piece of historical fiction, pulling you into a moment of history that may leave you questioning where your own loyalties would lie. The tense atmosphere driven by dialogue will keep you on edge, while the emotional weight of the characters’ choices might just bring a tear to your eye.
The Encounter is a war drama that transports viewers to the final days of Nigeria’s Biafran War. Directed by Tolu Ajayi, the film is set during the period of the Nigerian Civil War and follows an encounter between two iconic figures: Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, a disillusioned Biafran officer accused of betrayal, and General Odumegwu Ojukwu, leader of the secessionist state of Biafra.
Winning critical acclaim for its storytelling and strong performances especially from Greory Ojefua, The Encounter has screened at numerous film festivals, including the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). It won the AMVCA for Best Short Film (2016), and is available on YouTube.
Bariga Sugar (21 minutes)
This is a film that will tug at your heartstrings by pulling you into the innocence of childhood amidst hardship. Directed by Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo, Bariga Sugar (2017) tells the story of 8-year-old Ese, a shy girl living in a Lagos brothel where her mother works. Isolated from other children and yearning for companionship, Ese’s life takes a turn when she befriends 10-year-old Jamil, and his mother, Hanatu, who move into the brothel.
Their friendship provides a glimpse of joy and hope amidst the grim realities surrounding them, as Jamil dreams of becoming a doctor while Ese whimsically wishes to be the queen of Bariga Sugar.
While it falters a bit in its cinematography, the film captures the essence of childhood innocence amidst adversity, evoking a deep emotional connection as it explores themes of resilience and hope. Watching Ese and Jamil navigate their struggles, we are reminded of the transformative power of friendship and the innate human spirit’s capacity to endure. Bariga Sugar serves as a reflection on the beauty that can emerge even in the most challenging circumstances. Also available on YouTube.
Teju’s Tale (15 minutes)
For one, Teju’s Tale (2021) brings a powerful, personal story to the screen—based on real events that happened to the filmmaker’s grandmother. It draws you into a heartfelt exploration of resilience and strength in the face of racial discrimination. It invites you into a world of resilience, where racial prejudice is met with quiet defiance and personal strength. Set in 1950s England, this moving film uses beautiful cinematography to evoke the tension and emotion of the time, while offering a glimpse into a story that feels timeless. With brilliant, natural performances and a well-paced narrative, the film effortlessly pulls you into Teju’s journey, leaving you to reflect on themes of identity, belonging, and the power of standing firm in the face of discrimination.
Written and directed by Teniola Zara King, is set in 1950s England and follows Teju, a Nigerian nurse who relocates from Lagos to London. While pursuing her studies, Teju faces the harsh realities of racial discrimination, with her colleagues insisting on seeing her “tail”—a symbol of the absurd and dehumanising myths that black people were subjected to at the time. Featuring a stellar cast, including Dorcas Shola Fapson, Ellis George, and Susannah Harker, Teju’s Tale touches on universal themes of belonging and the immigrant experience. The film is available on YouTube.
Dices (14 minutes)
Dices offers a powerful and unflinching look into the often-overlooked experiences of male sexual abuse survivors. Through the keen direction of Sandra Tetteh, the film sheds light on an important yet rarely discussed issue, encouraging a much-needed dialogue around the psychological impact of such trauma on boys and men. You will likely find yourself captivated by the film’s careful, nuanced storytelling and moved by the standout performances of Daniel Etim Effiong, Timi Charles Fadipe, and Uzoamaka Onuoha, among others.
The film’s deep focus on mental health and its use of sensory elements make it a compelling watch for those who appreciate emotional storytelling.
Written by Tomi Adesina, Dices blurs the lines between past and present, much like the traumatic memories it portrays. The film’s use of sound design is exceptional, drawing the viewer into the protagonist’s mind and mimicking the overwhelming presence of trauma.
Moments of touch and movement on screen are underscored by this soundscape, which plays with time and space, giving the audience a palpable sense of how trauma lingers and threatens mental health. Beyond its emotional weight, Dices initiates important conversations about the mental and emotional well-being of male survivors, a topic long left in the shadows.
Oga John (10 minutes)
Oga John (2019) tackles the sensitive subject of mental health, using minimal dialogue and an engaging, cinematic approach. Written by Oje Ojeaga and directed by Tolu Ajayi, the film centres on the tense interaction between Oga John, a small shop owner, and a young woman, Alero (Ade Laoye), who silently purchases rat poison with a suicidal intent. Through subtle details like Alero’s compulsive behaviour and her strained silence, the film skilfully illustrates the mental health struggles of its protagonist.
With its focused narrative, Oga John critiques society’s reliance on religious and social media solutions to mental health problems, highlighted by Alero’s brief scroll through Twitter and her mother’s suggestion to “pray about it.” By using the “show, don’t tell” technique, the film evokes a deep emotional response without over-relying on dialogue, making it an impactful exploration of mental health in contemporary Nigeria.
Juju Stories
Juju Stories (2021) is a captivating three-part anthology film rooted in Nigerian folklore and urban legends. The film brings the supernatural into everyday life, shifting away from Nollywood’s typical portrayal of the occult. Each chapter, Love Potion, Yam, and Suffer the Witch, offers a distinct narrative, focusing on love potions, transformations, and witches, all underlined by a blend of jazz and classical music.
The film’s use of sound is an integral part of the storytelling, enhancing its magical and eerie atmosphere. It’s also notable that the project was initially conceived as Jazz Stories, playing off the Nigerian slang “jazz” for magic, which was later changed to Juju Stories during post-production.
Each chapter offer a unique perspective on juju through distinct storytelling approaches. The first chapter, Love Potion, delves into the process of crafting a love charm, while Yam takes a comedic spin on an urban legend about greed and consequences. The final chapter, Suffer the Witch, leans into the eerie and mysterious with a modern yet vintage tone, exploring the supernatural in a familiar setting.
While each story can stand alone, Love Potion and Yam complement each other when watched together, joined together through easter eggs, making Suffer the Witch the perfect standalone piece. The anthology, available on Prime Video, runs for a total of 1 hour and 24 minutes.
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