MAKING "GULI" (OUR FIRST FILM)

So, why Guli? Why this story?

Guli is about family and forgiveness, courage and hope. For these reasons alone, we believe the story is worth telling—something that will warm the hearts of our audience and remind them of the important things in life.

The titular character, Guli, is a 19-year-old woman hoping for a chance at university, but financial constraints and her father's illness seem to stand in the way—until a striking family secret comes to light, forcing Guli on a journey.

We were a small crew when we assembled, optimistic about the days ahead. We gathered early to shoot in a mountainous nook of the city. It was exciting to be back on set; for three of us, it was the first time together for this purpose since the final episode of Best Friends in the World (alright, it wasn’t actually the first time… but that’s a story for another day).

We shot for ten relatively easy days. Jemima directed, while Jesimiel wrote and produced. We could probably fill a small book with all the on-set stories tied to this production. In one scene, street boys, bike riders, and keke riders gathered around to watch. They cheered and clapped every time we executed the scene, which required a lot of takes. Another time, an upset neighbor played his speaker-plugged piano very loudly, presumably in an attempt to disrupt our filming. Thankfully, Elvis, our production manager, was able to handle it peacefully. We wheeled across town in our trusty coaster, making this film. The memories are endless, and we’re grateful.

Stephanie Oki, a talented filmmaker and friend (pictured below in the black-and-white bandana), took some amazing behind-the-scenes shots. We’ll share a handful:

Of all the projects we developed and discussed, the appeal of Guli lay in its heartfelt simplicity. We wanted to tell a story that was genuinely moving. Guli felt reminiscent of our Super Story days, where a lesson would follow you home after you’d rooted earnestly for a struggling protagonist facing life’s heavy hand. Nostalgia was certainly a factor. We also aimed to create a story that our audience could enjoy; our young-adult viewers will find relatable moments and easily root for their new favorite characters. Finally, we wanted to craft a narrative that would feel relevant regardless of the time or place in which it was viewed. We believe we accomplished all of that and more with this project.

THE CAST

Jeiel Damina

David Ezekiel

Amina Umukoro

Comfort Isimguzo

We're often blessed to work with actors who love the art and are eager to deliver their best. There are more fantastic actors to be revealed, but for now, without giving away too much, meet our main cast:

• Jeiel Damina as Guli, our people-pleasing, good-natured heroine.

• Amina Umukoro as Fatima, Guli's mother and biggest antagonist.

• Comfort Isimguzo as Mrs. Bello, an angelic woman, delightful and pure of heart.

• David Ezekiel as Eli, a charming, courageous chef-in-the-making.

• Symphony Biosah as Anaya, a bratty, quick-witted teenage girl and daughter of Mrs. Bello.

It was our first time working with most of the cast. Some of you may know David from a string of YouTube projects as well as Netflix's Blood Vessel. Symphony's co-starred with Jeiel on Showdeck's Friends from School. Amina and Comfort we were meeting for the first time. But all their chemistry was instant!

We're excited for you to see their stories weave together. Making this film was such a positive experience, and we can’t wait to share this heartwarming tale.

There’s still much to unveil—particularly the release date—so please be patient. Follow us on social media so you don’t miss any updates. We hope you’ll find it worth the wait. Oh, and tell your friends we’re back, armed with new content! Keep an open mind toward the projects to come; we find that it leads to optimal enjoyment.

Keep shining!

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