Ahead of the 2019 General Elections, a filmmaker and photographer, Deji Akinpelu, has unveiled plans to engage political office seekers on the use of documentaries to communicate their agenda for nation building.

Akinpelu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that he was inspired to make factual films on socio-economic issues during his work as a documentary photographer.

He said that various stakeholders would be given opportunities to discuss the various social issues raised in the factual films during interactive sessions.

A co-founder of Rethinking Cities Initiative, the filmmaker had on Oct. 25 premiered a short documentary drama titled Kelechi’s Quest, focusing on Achieving Affordable Housing in Lagos.

Akinpelu said: “We are going to be engaging political aspirants during the electioneering process on their ideas and visions for the citizenry and country.

“We want to bring ideology back to the forefront of campaigns, we want to start engaging our politicians in deep discussions beyond their usual campaign promises.

“The documentary, drama Kelechi’s Quest, is my first major project and I intend to engage in similar projects in the near future.

“When I made Kelechi’s Quest, I received a lot of feedback from politicians and those in government, interestingly, we have gotten positive feedback.

NAN reports that Kelechi’s Quest was directed by Akinpelu in partnership with Heinrich Boll Stiftung Nigeria and Arctic Infrastructure.

The documentary drama, Kelechi’s Quest, is plotted around Nollywood actor Kelechi Udegbe’s challenges in getting affordable accommodation in Lagos. (NAN)

– Oct. 29, 2018 @ 13:25 GMT |