Written by Olateju Lucas

It’s About Us (2017-2022), was the first show produced by Gaffy that I watched. It felt like a candid conversation among friends, dissecting issues faced by ‘big boys’. It resonated deeply with my experiences.

Since then, Gaffy has gone on to produce and direct shows like Awaiting Trial, WithChude, Weasel, Gen Z therapy and Me and Him.

In this exclusive interview, Gbolahan ‘Gaffy’ Gafar, known for his youth-focused films, opens up about his filmmaking journey, the philosophy driving his projects, and the challenges he has encountered along the way.

What ignited your interest in filmmaking?

Growing up, I watched a lot of foreign shows because there were no Nigerian teen or youth centred films. The films then, were made for adults, there was nothing for the younger generation. The need for Nigerian youth-centric films sparked my interest in filmmaking.

What has been your biggest challenge in making youth centric films?

The main challenge is funding. The market is not very favourable for independent filmmakers compared to big studios. Additionally, distributing these films on certain platforms can be difficult, however, platforms like YouTube have helped ease that constraint.

What brought about All of Us?

The ideation started about two years ago, given my passion for youth-centric films, it felt like a natural progression. Enioluwa had a group of friends he wanted to make a video for, and during our discussion, I suggested we turn it into a series. We shot the teaser two years ago. Initially, I wrote a ten-episode draft, but we later scaled it down to four. 

How did you approach the casting process?

Because of how the project came about, not all the cast members were professional actors. To fill that gap, we brought in established actors like Jemima Osunde, Adunni Ade, Deyemi Okanlawon, Kate Henshaw, and Tomi Ojo.

Were there any challenges while producing the show?

The co-producer, director, and I all shared the same vision, but we often had different approaches, which caused some back and forth. Funding was another issue; the expenses exceeded our budget, forcing us to reshoot. Finding the right location was also tough. Filming in schools is challenging, especially since classes were in session during production.

What can we expect from you next?

I’m currently working on two new projects—one is a feature film, and the other is a short series.