The three-minute short film “Vote True” has been awarded the Best Voice-Over category at the 2023 Cannes World Film Festival (CWFF).
The film was released prior to Nigeria’s 2023 elections and its win at the festival has added to the perception that 2023 could be the year that Nigeria emerges on the global cultural stage.
The three minutes film was directed by David Symmon, a British filmmaker, and released in January 2023, Vote True is a compelling political drama stirring Nigerians to change the directory of the nation using their democratic power.
Toyin Elebe, the founder of Telefectiv Productions, that specialises in documentaries, TV content, and feature films, won the award for the Best Voiceover category at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.
Elebe then introduces us to a cast of ordinary Nigerians who are determined to make a difference. There is the “grandfather who helped in the construction of new roads, connecting Nigerians during the colonial period — the entrepreneurial father who believed in his country’s enormous potential but never saw it in his lifetime and the hard-working women, undeterred by challenges faced and yet able to raise families and other people’s children as if they were their own”.
Elebe uses the stories of these individuals to give hope to Nigeria (ans) and show that change is possible, portraying the possibilities of a better Nigeria if we all play our parts well.
The middle-aged business executive and film producer is passionate about Nigeria and strongly believes that the nation has the potential to be a first-world country. His ambitions are to intensify the voices of Africans and storytelling on the global stage in order to re-brand the continent and unlock her potential.
Elebe’s victory in the voice-over category at the Cannes World Film Festival (CWFF) is a historic moment for Nigeria. It is the first time a Nigerian has won this prestigious award, and it is a testament to Elebe’s talent and dedication.
In an interview, Elebe revealed that “Vote True” has not only won the Best Voice-Over at the CWFF; it won the Grand Jury Award at the New York International Film Awards for Best Director, and Best Actor at the Berlin Indie Film Festival. “The film has also been nominated as a finalist at the Boden International Film Festival in Sweden and The Lisbon Film Rendezvous in Lisbon, Portugal,” Elebe disclosed.
He also disclosed that the success story of “Vote True” has further encouraged him to do more, stating that he and Symmons are comming up with more projects through their Telefectiv on a tentpole film franchise.
Elebe added that he wants to make films that tell untold stories and contribute to the shaping of Nigeria’s cultural narrative. He wants to create motion pictures that will prepare audiences for the next frontier, a universe of boundless potential.
