WEBEK Studios has completed the principal photography for its first feature-length film, ‘Abeni’, directed by the studio’s CEO, Esse Akwawa, with Samuel Olasehinde as co-director and co-writer.
‘Abeni’ draws from an oral historical account that has not been formally documented. The story follows a young woman, Abeni, who attempts to enter the traditionally male craft of forging, challenging the social rules of her time. The filmmakers describe the project as an attempt to put a little-known piece of cultural memory on screen.
With cinematography from Jonathan Kovel, the film was shot for fourteen days at Africhatta Film Village in Oyo State with support from co-executive producers Seun Dania and Ibrahim Chatta.
Akwawa calls the project, which is also her directorial debut for the big screen, “the resurrection of a forgotten story”. The CEO said the film aims to highlight “the bravery of women whose stories were not recorded”, adding that bringing the narrative to screen felt like “honouring her courage and educating the world about the sacrifices she made.”
Chatta said his interest in the film came from its focus on a young woman “whose love for forging pushed her beyond the boundaries of her time.”
‘Abeni’ combines elements of Yoruba cultural tradition with a character-driven narrative about ambition, resilience, and social constraints.
The project is powered by CcHub, in partnership with Africa No Filter, with support from the Gates Foundation, organisations that have been funding gender-equitable storytelling initiatives across the continent.
