Gateway City, a documentary exploring Badagry’s rich history in Lagos State, has been nominated for a special screening at the 15th iREP International Documentary Film Festival.
Mr. Viyon Awhanse, director of the documentary, disclosed this during an interview on Thursday in Badagry.
According to Awhanse, the film does not just discuss issues; it uses innovative cinematic techniques to show how trade, diplomacy, and history intersect in the megacity.
“It raises a big question: How can big cities include their important gateways in future growth?” he asked.
He said the documentary would be shown at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island on Saturday.
Awhanse said that the film was produced by Samuel Mawuyàn Ajose (SMA) Movement, with the story credited to Dr Babatunde Mesiwaku, Chairman of the group in Lagos.
“SMA Movement is backing a super cool documentary called Gateway City, which is all about heritage, leadership, and the magic of movies,” he said.
Awhanse said the group believes in the power of stories to make a difference in the world.
“The SMA Movement is known for helping young people and communities grow, and now they’re diving into the world of creativity. This represents a significant advancement in the strategic use of film as a vehicle for community engagement, education, and social impact. It demonstrates a clear commitment to leveraging storytelling and audiovisual content to address community needs and foster positive, sustainable change,” Awhanse said.
Also, Samuel Ajose said SMA was supporting ‘Gateway City’ to make the future brighter, preserve history and showcase Lagos State’s awesomeness to the world.
“Viyon’s film shows us that places like Badagry are actually super important gateway to the world. The selection of Gateway City for a special screening at EPAC underscores its significance to policymakers, institutions, and cultural enthusiasts around the world,” he said
