BFI Future Film Festival 2023
Interview
Ade
Femzo
Drop Out
No matter how he looks at it, Tobi knows his good, hard-working African mother is not about to let him be a drop-out, despite how successful he is on these streets.
Hi Ade, it’s great to get to talk with you, how has everything been going?
Hey, great to talk with you too, everything has been going well thanks.
You have had an amazing run with Drop Out, which won the Audience Award at last years BFI London Film Festival British, what did it mean to you to get such an amazing reaction to your film?
It mean a lot, this was my first short film in festivals and the experiences really helped my understanding of the film industry.
Congratulations on having Drop Out being at the Future Film Festival 2023, how does it feel to be part of such an incredible line-up of short films?
Exciting! It’s always an amazing feeling when your work is lined-up with other amazing work.
How important are festivals like Future Film Festival in creating a platform for short films?
Really important. Drop Out allowed me to understand more about the industry and network within it through it being screened in festivals such as Future Film Festival.
Can you tell me how Drop Out came about, what inspired your screenplay?
I was selected with 4 other filmmakers to make a short film under 5 mins with Converse x John Boyega, Create Next Campaign. Drop Out was inspired by a moment when I told my mum I was leaving school to follow my dreams.
"I never went to film school or had connections in film but with ACP It allowed me to learn, connect and understand more about the industry."
When working on a short film like Drop Out how flexible did you allow yourself once you started going into production?
I knew what had priority and focused on one thing at a time.
Does your background as an actor help influence your writing/directing approach and build a closer relationship with your cast?
I actually started writing and directing because I wanted to act so it does help when building characters and relationships with the cast as I'm thinking like an actor too.
What where the biggest challenges you faced making this film?
Having confidence in the idea. On set it was hard to tell if things are working or not and it did cause a bit of a confidence problem for me at times.
What where the biggest challenges you faced making this film?
Having confidence in the idea. On set it was hard to tell if things are working or not and it did cause a bit of a confidence problem for me at times.
Looking back, what would you say have been the most valuable lessons you’ve taken from the experience?
Be confidence in who you are and your vision
Do you think filmmakers should continue to push the boundaries of the films/stories they want to tell?
Yes, we can't have the same stories on screen forever. New generation, New stories.
Where did your passion for filmmaking come from?
Filmmaking came from wanting to act more. There wasn’t a lot of open auditions with short films so I decided to learn how to make my own.
How did the ACP Network come about and what do you hope to achieve with this brilliant initiative?
ACP Network was my way into the industry. I never went to film school or had connections in film but with ACP It allowed me to learn, connect and understand more about the industry. I hope that ACP Network can keep supporting aspiring filmmakers and bridge the gap in the industry.
Has your approach to your films changed since you started out?
I’m alway finding new way help me create better
What top 3 tips would you offer emerging filmmakers?
Don’t wait for anyone to get your project made. Be confident and alway believe in your idea.
And finally, what would you like audiences to take away from Drop Out?
Follow your dreams.
