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| Image : YouTube |
Duration: 15 minutes
Director: Edith Nwekenta
Cast: Tope Tedela, Philip Asaya
Writer/Producer: Raymonda Aluede, Bola Agbaje, Esse Akwawa, Bizzle Osikoya, Edith Nwekenta
Festival Recognition:Jury Prize – Best Short Film, NollywoodWeek Paris (2025)
Critical Review
*The Screen Test* is a short, 15-minute psychological drama that ventures into the high-stakes world of Nollywood auditions, placing its spotlight on the complex interplay between power, ambition, and artistic vulnerability. The film follows David, a budding actor who is invited to a seemingly routine audition at a director’s home—only to find himself in a manipulative, emotionally charged situation that blurs the line between performance and reality.
STORYTELLING AND THEMES
The film builds its tension around the symbolic idea of a "screen test"—not merely as a performance, but as a confrontation of integrity and desire. Though the premise is thought-provoking, the film struggles to unpack its heavier themes in the limited runtime. Topics like coercion, personal boundaries, and power imbalance are introduced, but not fully developed, leaving the narrative feeling more suggestive than substantial.
ACTING AND CHARACTER DYNAMIC
Tope Tedela plays David with restraint, but the performance sometimes lacks the emotional clarity needed to express the character’s inner turmoil. Philip Asaya’s portrayal of the eccentric director swings between intriguing and exaggerated, making the power dynamic more confusing than compelling. Overall, both lead performances could benefit from more emotional nuance to elevate the psychological stakes.
DIRECTING AND VISUAL LANGUAGE
Edith Nwekenta’s direction aims for an unsettling, dreamlike mood, using visual cues and tight framing to evoke discomfort. However, the execution falls short of its ambition—tonal shifts feel abrupt, and the editing does little to enhance suspense. The film attempts a surreal atmosphere, but the visual storytelling doesn’t consistently support the narrative tension.
PROBLEMATIC REPRESENTATION
A significant point of contention has been the film’s portrayal of queerness. The implication of a predatory dynamic linked to a queer-coded character has raised concerns about harmful stereotyping—especially within a Nigerian context where LGBTQ+ representation remains sensitive. Rather than critically examining these dynamics, the film risks reinforcing problematic tropes due to its lack of nuance.
CONTEXT AND INDUSTRY REFLECTION
What THE SCREEN TEST does well is spark discourse. It reflects real anxieties within the creative industry: the vulnerability of emerging talent, the blurred ethics of mentorship, and the dangers of unchecked power. While the film doesn’t offer deep analysis, it does succeed in starting a necessary conversation about the darker realities of performance culture.
FINAL Thoughts
*The Screen Test* is bold in subject but uneven in delivery. Its 15-minute length limits character and theme development, and its attempt at psychological tension is undercut by flat performances and controversial narrative choices. Despite its shortcomings, it stands as a conversation-starter within Nollywood’s evolving cinematic landscape.
Rating: 5.5/10 – Conceptually daring, but hampered by execution and representational pitfalls.
SEE POST BELOW
THE SCREEN TEST Official trailer🍿🎉We’re super pumped to announce that we’re 6 days away from the world premiere and screening of SCREEN TEST at the 2025 NollywoodWeek @nollywoodweek film festival in Paris🎉👏💃💃Production Company: @webekstudios_ngExecutive Producers:@esserocks@edithnwekenta@bizzleosikoya@iamwalehassan@kayodeyindeCast:@topetedela @philipasaya@chocolaey___Crew:Director: @edithnwekentaProducer: @esserocksWriter: @raymondaslife and @bolaagbaje Cinematography: @mrmoviesdpEditor: @signor_martini #webekstudios #nollywood #nollywoodnow #NOW2025 #AfricanCinema #shortfilm
Posted by Webek Stu Dios on Friday, May 2, 2025
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