BEYOND TARKWA BAY

In the vibrant coastal community of Tarkwa Bay, Nigeria, teenage surfer Abraham finds his dreams at odds with reality. Mentored by local legend Godpower, Abraham overcomes his fear of the ocean to embrace a newfound passion for surfing.

But when navy bulldozers suddenly destroy their island homes, his dreams are left hanging in the balance. Refusing to be defeated, Abraham returns with his father’s support to pursue a competition that could take him beyond the only home he’s ever known.

Directors Statement

Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Beyond Tarkwa Bay is a deeply personal project, born from my desire to amplify the voices of young Nigerian athletes who place their hopes for a better life in their abilities. The talent and passion are typically present, but they often lack solid mentorship, investment, and modern facilities to compete with their peers globally. Eventually, they resign themselves to menial jobs to get by, despite all that potential.

This story showcases the resilience of a community often overlooked, where surfing symbolises freedom despite systemic barriers. This film is a testament to the power of youth, the strength of mentorship, and the unyielding spirit of Tarkwa bay. I hope it inspires audiences to pursue their dreams, regardless of the odds.

My roles

As the Director

My role as Director is defined by a deeply personal connection to Lagos and a commitment to "edutainment"—the merging of compelling storytelling with social impact.

The Narrative

My primary objective in this project was to amplify the voices of marginalized Nigerian youth. I am responsible for translating the "unyielding spirit of Tarkwa Bay" into a visual story, ensuring that surfing is portrayed not just as a sport but as a symbol of freedom against systemic barriers.

Leveraging my history with a previous feature-length documentary, Boys On The Brink, I use my pre-existing trust with Abraham and his family to capture intimate, unguarded moments that an outsider could not. I guided the on-screen talent with sensitivity, ensuring their "ambitions and woes" are portrayed with nuance rather than pity.

I was responsible for the film's aesthetic signature. Guided by my commitment to "vivid, aesthetically pleasing imagery," I direct the cinematography to capture the beauty of the surfing alongside the harsh reality of the naval eviction, ensuring the film is visually competitive on a global scale.

As the LEAD Producer

As the Producer, I am the engine making the production possible, navigating complex socio-political landscapes and securing the project's legal and ethical foundations.

Securing Access & Rights: I orchestrated engagements with key stakeholders like the Nigerian Surfing Federation and the Navy. I successfully negotiated an NDA that grants us sole rights to document this story, a major production asset that protects the film’s exclusivity.

Managing Ethics & Welfare: We went beyond standard production duties by integrating community support into the budget and by providing welfare during our visits, ensuring the production contributed to the well-being of our subjects. I also oversaw the informed consent process, ensuring full transparency with Abraham’s family.

I am also strategizing the film's distribution, leveraging my past festival successes (such as the Political Film Festival and TINFF) to secure a spot in the global market.

As the Editor

As the Editor, my task is to weave the raw realities of displacement with the kinetic energy of sports, shaping the final emotional arc.

Balancing Tone: I am responsible for the film's rhythm, ensuring it entertains as a sports documentary while educating the audience on the "real-life concerns facing Nigerian youth." I determine the pacing that transitions the audience from the high-energy surfing sequences to the somber reality of the bulldozers.

Structuring the Resilience Arc: I shape the footage to focus on the theme of "refusing defeat." By cutting between the destruction of the homes and Abraham’s return to the water, I visually construct the argument that talent exists in Nigeria but lacks infrastructure—a core argument of my Director's Statement.

Crafting Global Appeal: Recognizing the challenge of distribution, I edit with an international audience in mind. I refine the narrative to ensure the specific cultural context of Lagos is accessible and resonant to viewers worldwide, polishing the film to the standard of the prestigious festivals I aim to enter.

Amidst a dark tide...they dare to dream..jpg

Reflections

For me, Beyond Tarkwa Bay crystallized the reality that documentary filmmaking is a partnership, not just a production. Standing amidst the sudden eviction of the community I was filming, I realized that my most valuable asset wasn't the camera, but the trust I had cultivated with the families over years of engagement. This project challenged me to hold my creative vision loosely, forcing me to pivot instantly from a celebration of surf culture to an urgent witness of displacement. It taught me that navigating complex bureaucracy—like securing exclusive rights with the Navy—is just as vital to the art form as the editing process. Ultimately, this film stands as a testament to my belief that to tell authentic African stories, a filmmaker must be as resilient and adaptive as the subjects they are privileged to film.