And The Oscars Goes To

And the Oscars Goes to

Now although I’m at home in my pjs, laptop on my lap tapping away at my keyboard. I want you to imagine me in a designer number, I’m thinking something from the House of Deola Sagoe, because I love her use of aso oke. So now I’m setting the scene. I’ve strutted down the runway and managed not to trip in the impossible high heels I had to squeeze my feet into, I look out into a sea of faces and it’s time to give THE speech…

I knew this day was coming so I came prepared. I subtly remove the now sweaty piece of paper from my bra and pretend that there aren’t millions of eyes watching. In a faltering voice and with snot threatening to disgrace my efforts at composure, I try to read the now soaked piece of paper, but I’m blinded by tears that won’t stop falling. However, I’m able to vaguely remember what I wrote, I look up into the audience, and wait a beat. (I’m frozen) There is absolute silence in the Dolby Theatre as everyone waits for me to speak. Finally some words emerge.

The journey has been arduous, but I’ve had help along the way, so my sincere thanks goes out to my wonderful cast and crew, and to my friends  Claudia Young, Nneka Akwule, Anthonia Odubiyi, Yemi Daramola, Abubakar Suleiman, Lucy Hitchcock, Caroline Chikezie, Clint Dyer, Barb Greetham, Lola Shoneyin, Maze Couture, Adenike Akeju Osabutey Nina Joshi Ramsey and everyone else who has shared tweeted and contributed in ways I can’t even explain.

I keep it short, because I don’t want to be interrupted by music. The applause is thunderous, I take a bow, I straighten up and I’m no longer at the Dolby Theatre in LA . It’s actually the 4th of March and I’m at Channel 4 and I’ve just screened my 2nd short film. That is definitely worthy of a prize. 🙂