May 27, 2018
Hawa Essuman is a Ghanian-born award-winning filmmaker currently based in Kenya. Her most recent film Silas, which is a documentary about Liberian environmental activist Silas Siakor, recently opened at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. Since then it has gone on to screen at film festivals around the world.
But Hawa wasn’t always a film director or producer – she started out as an actress in theatre productions, before moving into film production.
In 2010 Hawa directed the narrative film Soul Boy, which has played at more than 40 film festivals around the world and won numerous awards. Hawa has also produced music videos.
In our conversation, Hawa shared how the life of a filmmaker is not always glamorous! She shared some of the challenges she’s faced in making her films, as well as her advice for anyone looking for a career in the industry.
Hawa also shared a more personal story – her sister Rafia has sickle cell anemia, which has caused her bones to become brittle. Hawa talked about what she’s doing to help her sister.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
What made Hawa want to be a filmmaker
The greatest misconception about women in the film industry in East Africa
Why tell Silas Siakor’s story was so important to her
The best advice she has for anyone wanting to become a filmmaker
How Sex and the City 2 led to her most recent filmmaking partnership
What she’s working on next
What Hawa’s greatest hope is
What Hawa’s “I am…”is
EPISODE LINKS
Hawa on Instagram
Hawa’s Indiegogo Fundraiser for her sister Rafia
SILAS
Silas Movie on Facebook
Silas Website
SOUL BOY
Soul Boy Trailer