Nigerian-British director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor took to the stage at the London Film Festival after her debut feature film Dreamers screened to a mixed response. The film, which premiered in Berlin earlier this year, tells the semi-autobiographical story of a Nigerian woman seeking asylum in the UK, only to face an interrogation that tests her very identity.
Gharoro-Akpojotor revealed that the experience of being questioned by a Home Office caseworker about her sexuality was one she had long dreaded. "He asked me what I'd done sexually with a woman and what I'd done sexually with a man," she recounted, visibly shaken by the memory. The interview, which lasted for 202 questions, seemed to be little more than an exercise in indifference and ignorance.
The film, however, is far from bleak. Instead, it is a powerful exploration of love, friendship, and identity, told through the eyes of its protagonist Isio. Gharoro-Akpojotor's own experience seeking asylum in the UK aged 25 served as the catalyst for the film, which she described as "loosely based" on her life.
But it is not just personal experience that informs the film – it is also a desire to challenge stereotypes and push boundaries. Gharoro-Akpojotor hopes that Dreamers will encourage audiences to see the world from a different perspective, to empathise with those who are often treated as outsiders.
For Gharoro-Akpojotor herself, making films has been a journey of self-discovery. Born in Nigeria and raised in London, she began writing stories at the age of 11 and discovered her passion for cinema through watching films every week with her friends. After studying part-time while working in a betting shop, she began making short films and eventually turned to producing full-time.
Gharoro-Akpojotor's company Joi Productions has become a go-to destination for filmmakers looking to bring underrepresented stories to the screen. Her credits include Blue Story, which sparked controversy over its depiction of gang culture, and Boxing Day, a romantic comedy that celebrates black female love.
As she prepares for her next project – a film about mental health and empathy – Gharoro-Akpojotor remains committed to telling stories that challenge our assumptions and push us to see the world in a different light. "I really want you to be like, next time you see a guy on the road, take time to think," she said with a laugh. "We're so used to walking by."
Gharoro-Akpojotor revealed that the experience of being questioned by a Home Office caseworker about her sexuality was one she had long dreaded. "He asked me what I'd done sexually with a woman and what I'd done sexually with a man," she recounted, visibly shaken by the memory. The interview, which lasted for 202 questions, seemed to be little more than an exercise in indifference and ignorance.
The film, however, is far from bleak. Instead, it is a powerful exploration of love, friendship, and identity, told through the eyes of its protagonist Isio. Gharoro-Akpojotor's own experience seeking asylum in the UK aged 25 served as the catalyst for the film, which she described as "loosely based" on her life.
But it is not just personal experience that informs the film – it is also a desire to challenge stereotypes and push boundaries. Gharoro-Akpojotor hopes that Dreamers will encourage audiences to see the world from a different perspective, to empathise with those who are often treated as outsiders.
For Gharoro-Akpojotor herself, making films has been a journey of self-discovery. Born in Nigeria and raised in London, she began writing stories at the age of 11 and discovered her passion for cinema through watching films every week with her friends. After studying part-time while working in a betting shop, she began making short films and eventually turned to producing full-time.
Gharoro-Akpojotor's company Joi Productions has become a go-to destination for filmmakers looking to bring underrepresented stories to the screen. Her credits include Blue Story, which sparked controversy over its depiction of gang culture, and Boxing Day, a romantic comedy that celebrates black female love.
As she prepares for her next project – a film about mental health and empathy – Gharoro-Akpojotor remains committed to telling stories that challenge our assumptions and push us to see the world in a different light. "I really want you to be like, next time you see a guy on the road, take time to think," she said with a laugh. "We're so used to walking by."
i mean, who would've thought making a movie about asylum seekers could be so powerful & relatable? but what's even more inspiring is that she's doing it all from the UK, where she experienced those same struggles first hand 
her journey to becoming a filmmaker is truly inspiring - from writing stories at 11 to working in a betting shop while studying part-time 
anyway, can't wait to see what her next project is about! mental health & empathy is such an important topic we need more movies like dreamers 
! I'm so hyped for her next project, can't wait to see how she tackles mental health and empathy 
. And yeah, let's be real, we do walk by too much of each other on the road... it's time for us to slow down and get to know our neighbors better 
I'm totally feeling Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor's vibe - it's all about challenging our perceptions and pushing boundaries 
. Her film Dreamers is like, a wake-up call for us to be more empathetic and understanding towards people who are different from us 
. It's not just about telling a personal story, but also about sparking conversations that need to happen 
. I'm loving the fact that she's using her platform to shed light on underrepresented stories and create a space for others to tell their own tales of self-discovery 
. Her passion is infectious! 
! Her journey from making short films while working in a betting shop to becoming a successful director is inspiring 
#GirlBoss. It's amazing how she's using her platform to challenge stereotypes and push boundaries through her films 
#EmpathyIsTheNewLove. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next! 
. I mean, 202 questions is just ridiculous! The film seems pretty powerful though, esp with its themes of love & empathy. But idc if it's loosely based on her life or not, she should totes get a lot of props for makin a movie that challenges stereotypes 
. And I'm totally feeling the message of empathy and self-discovery, you know? It's like, we need more people sharing their stories and experiences, so we can all learn from each other and grow together 
. Can't wait to see what she does next 
. But what's even more amazing is how she uses her platform to challenge stereotypes and push boundaries with her movies 
i mean i get it, her experiences as a nigerian woman seekin' asylum in the uk are legit and all that but is she just exploitin' her own trauma for cinematic gold? 
what's next, a film about every black woman's experience in the world? 
so yeah, idk man 
i feel bad for the actress who played isio, she looks so strong in the film. i wish i could ask joy gharoro-aikpojotor a million questions about her inspiration and stuff 