Run It, Led by Ranti Femi Oyekola, Begins Production on New Animated Short Spotlighting African Girls and Legacy

A new animated short film has entered full production this April, marking a major step forward for a project centred on memory, sacrifice, and the strength of African womanhood.

The 2D film is produced by lawyer and filmmaker Ranti Femi Oyekola, working in collaboration with director Daniel Alaka, who was named a Rising Star at the S16 Film Festival 2025 for his short film About Sarah. Development on the project has been ongoing, with early work spanning storyboarding and visual exploration.

Production will also extend beyond the screen. The team plans to partner with African food and beverage brands as part of a broader outreach effort aimed at encouraging young girls across the continent to see themselves as capable of leadership, resilience, and transformation within their communities.

A story shaped by inheritance

At its heart, the film follows a young girl navigating the expectations of her community while confronting the legacy of a parent whose story has long been misunderstood.

As she begins to question inherited beliefs, she is drawn into a personal journey that challenges her understanding of responsibility, truth, and identity.

Rather than presenting a conventional arc of triumph, the film explores quieter ideas of strength and self belief. It offers a message to young African girls that leadership does not always appear loudly, and that purpose can begin with trusting one’s own voice.

The narrative also reflects a wider portrayal of feminine power grounded in tradition, positioning women as central to continuity, nourishment, and survival within their communities.

A company building creative structure

The project is backed by Run It, a multidisciplinary African creative company founded by Oyekola. The company works across storytelling, legal support, education, and creative technology.

It was established in response to ongoing gaps in structure and access within the continent’s creative industries. Through its work, Run It is building an ecosystem designed to support sustainable careers for emerging talent.

Its activities include film production, intellectual property support, educational programmes delivered across Africa, and the development of a mobile first production platform.

The company has contributed to several film and television projects across development, production supervision, post production, and marketing, including socially driven storytelling initiatives.

Emerging voices behind the project

Oyekola’s work sits at the intersection of law, storytelling, and creative strategy. She is also an Associate Producer on The Morayo Show, a daily live audience programme focused on authentic Nigerian conversations and cultural engagement. Her broader work includes collaborations with educational institutions and public health organisations.

Director Daniel Alaka has earned recognition for his work across film and visual storytelling, including award winning short projects and contributions to the comics space.

Together, they bring a shared interest in telling stories that resonate with younger audiences while remaining rooted in African traditions and symbolism.

Looking ahead

With production now underway, the film represents the beginning of a wider vision.

The team plans to expand its impact through educational partnerships, brand collaborations, and community screenings aimed at reaching young girls across Nigeria and the African diaspora.

For its creators, the project is more than a single film. It reflects an ongoing commitment to telling stories where heritage, responsibility, and hope are carried forward by the next generation