We captured a range of visuals on the fly, and many of these shots only found their place in the film during the editing process. For example, while filming, we recorded some young women on the island, and later, their footage perfectly complemented a segment about confidence in young girls. The process was messy and organic, a style that required adapting and creatively piecing together the footage in post production.

Did you learn anything specific from the artists while filming, especially as an artist yourself? What insights did you gain from working with each of them?

I realized that my understanding of the different perceptions between African countries was quite limited. While in Europe or the U.S., people might generalize Africa. Spending time in Africa revealed how diverse and distinct various regions are. For instance, Nairobi and Lagos are known for their vibrant art scenes, whereas other regions face different challenges, like slow service or political instability. The nuances are infinite, and highlight how often outsiders  oversimplify the African continent.

On a personal level, I saw how challenging it is for African artists compared to those from Europe or the U.S. In Africa, pursuing art can be particularly daunting because many people, including parents, may not even understand or support the idea of becoming an artist. This reality highlights the notion that "Art Chooses Us"—artists in Africa often face immense obstacles, which makes their commitment to art even more profound and inspiring.

This perspective made me appreciate the true depth of artistic dedication. It also really solidified the importance of recognizing and addressing inequalities faced by artists in different regions. We want to acknowledge the different landscape of strengths and disparities rather than dismiss them. I'm glad the film addresses these issues and ongoing efforts.

Do you feel this short documentary captured everything you wanted to say, or is there anything you’d add if you had more time or a longer format?

The first thing that comes to mind is how it would be captured in the artists' actual countries. It would create a completely different vibe, each artist in their own home and element. Some people suggested that the documentary could easily become a series, kind of similar to the concept of "Chef's Table," where art is the subject, and each episode would focus on one artist and their country. Africa is so massive, with countless stories, and there's so much ignorance in the West. If it were to become a series, with episodes each featuring a different artist from the continent, it would dive deeper into these themes.

So, exploring more of the continent is really the key. For example, the sapeurs from Congo are amazing characters with a deep philosophy about freedom of expression. Going more in-depth with them would be really intriguing. Oddly enough actually, this week I received a message from someone wanting to do a documentary on the sapeurs and asking for a link to mine for research. So, yeah, there's a lot of curiosity to explore, and if the opportunity arises, pitching a series that delves into these artists' stories would be a dream.