‘Life Me Up’ Screening and Conversation with Director Tomisin Adepeju

The evening will centre on a screening of Tomisin’s short film Lift Me Up, which screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, followed by a wide-ranging conversation about his journey as a filmmaker, the craft of screenwriting and directing, and the ideas that continue to shape his work. Rather than a traditional Q&A at the end, the audience will be woven into the conversation throughout, creating a more open and intimate exchange around Tomisin’s work and the wider questions it raises. We’ll explore Tomisin’s relationship with Nigeria and Britain, his decision to embrace a distinctly African aesthetic, the question of what it means to identify as a Nigerian filmmaker, and how culture, memory and place find their way into his films. The conversation will also move into visual language, working with actors, developing character, building a body of work, and the wider landscape of contemporary African cinema. Alongside his filmmaking, Tomisin is the Founder and Director of DAILIES, a screening and discussion platform built around cinema, craft and community. Through DAILIES, he has curated sold-out programmes at BFI Southbank, Rich Mix and other venues, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for in-depth conversations around the ideas and processes behind their work. Tomisin’s award-winning short films have screened at more than 150 festivals internationally, including Sundance, BFI London Film Festival and London Short Film Festival. He has recently completed It’s Dancing Time for BBC Film and is currently developing his debut feature with Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films and the BFI. His writing has appeared in MUBI Notebook, BFI and other publications. ‘Lift Me Up’ Synopsis On the eve of her husband’s birthday, Esther struggles to come to terms with an impending event. Screening and conversation hosted by Leon Rehman, with the audience woven in throughout the evening.