NIGERIAN FILMMAKER, Muesiri Ellis-Odjurhe, has been awarded this year’s MetFilm School’s Black Student of Talent scholarship, to attend the world-famous film school.
Sunderland university film graduate, Ellis-Odjurhe, 22, is Nigerian but was born in Arusha, Tanzania. He is joining the MetFilm school’s Berlin campus to pursue a dream career in film.
In 2019, MetFilm School announced its intention to offer a full course fee scholarship, The Dan Demissie Voices That Matter Scholarship for a Black Student of Talent, to support the professional advancement of black filmmakers, Muesiri is the award’s second recipient.
He enthused: “My mum and I currently share a phone, so she was the first person to find out about me winning the scholarship! I was stunned and it took me a while to realise what it meant.
“Afterwards, I was engulfed with excitement, that the months of preparation, worrying, and hoping had finally borne fruit to an amazing outcome.
“This excitement was eventually accompanied by relief. A relief that I would have the opportunity to continue my education.”
Ellis-Odjurhe has been fascinated by film from an early age, he said: “Growing up I have always had a passion for film and technology.
“I believe this passion came from being surrounded by VHS tapes and CDs of movies from all kinds of genres, in addition to being introduced to computers and the internet at around the age of five.”
But Ellis-Odjurhe didn’t consider that he could have a career in the screen industry until he was a few years older, he explained: “Nearing the end of middle school, I was working on a project where I had to analyse software, I looked at three different pieces video editing software, it was by studying these that I realised that I had the option to pursue a career in film.”
Ellis-Odjurhe has opted to study a MA in Cinematography at MetFilm School’s Berlin campus, he said: “I am excited to specialise in cinematography, I want to build my technical skills. And I am looking forward to connecting with professionals to collaborate on film and creative projects.
“I am also curious to see what the art house film scene in Berlin will look like, I am interested in making short films during my time there.”
One of Muesiri’s long term goals is to set-up and run his own production company, he is passionate about giving a voice to underrepresented communities. He said: “This scholarship takes me a step closer to realising my life goal of founding and running a production company. I want to highlight the stories of underrepresented voices and their experiences through film and media.”
But he’s keeping his options open, he said: “By the time I graduate, I will be finalising the process of applying for the Start Up Entrepreneur Programme and registering a new media production company.
“Alternatively, I would love to get some experience working as a producer or editing assistant in the media industry.
“Regardless of which path I end up following, when the time comes, I hope to be in a better position to support my family and hopefully encourage other Black youths to pursue their goals and push the boundaries within industries which may not currently fully represent them.”
The Dan Demissie Voices That Matter Scholarship covers full tuition fees for the selected programme of study, either at undergraduate or postgraduate level, and is assessed based on financial need as well as talent and achievement in the screen industries. The scholarship is worth up to £53,000.
According to the most recent Diamond report, diversity off screen in the British television industry is still lacking.
Representation from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups is particularly low in the roles of Director (9 per cent), Writer (9.6 per cent), Producer (10 per cent), Executive Producer (7.3 per cent) and Head of Production (9.3 per cent).
Diamond collects diversity data on UK original productions commissioned by BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5/ViacomCBS and Sky.
Ellis-Odjurhe said: “I’m feeling determined, I have a clear path forward – at least in the short term. I am elated and proud to be the second recipient of the Dan Demissie: Voices That Matter scholarship.”
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