Business Case Study
Equiano Stories - An 18th Century Feature Film
Business Case Study
Equiano Stories - An 18th Century Film by Stelo Stories
Link to the Equiano. Stories film :
Instagram : www.instagram.com/equiano.stories
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@equiano.stories
Link to the United Nations event Screening the Equiano Film : www.media.un.org
Organization Profile:
Stelo Stories is an award-winning film studio that creates high-quality vertical content for mobile viewing. The studio's focus on mobile content allows them to reach their target audience and bring their stories to life. "Equiano.Stories" is the second film in a series that connects young people's stories from extreme moments in history with their 21st-century peers through social media.
The Challenge:
The film needed to accurately depict the 18th-century setting, culture, and beliefs of the Igbo people and avoid stereotypes while retelling the story of Olaudah Equiano, a self-emancipated slave. The film also had to seamlessly integrate 18th-century settings with 21st-century technology without interfering with the film's historical accuracy.
The Solution:
Stelo Stories partnered with the DuSable Museum of African American History,Chicago, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, to bring Equiano's story to life. The cultural, historical, and religious aspects of the film were managed by Yvonne Mbanefo, who was the Cultural Advisor, Script Consultant, Historical & Religious Consultant, Geography and Climate Consultant. She was also an executive producer in the film, providing creative input and balancing artistic ambition during filming and post production.
The Outcome:
The film was released on Instagram and TikTok and was a huge success, garnering 150 million views, 50,000 comments, and over 5 million likes within a week of its release. It was also featured at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and received positive feedback from government groups, celebrities, activists, and sports stars. The film was accompanied by a mixed reality dance tutorial app, which used AI technology to teach viewers the steps to the beautiful Nigerian dances seen in the film.
Equiano Stories was also one of the films showing on El Al Airlines for many months.
In conclusion, Stelo Stories and their team of experts were able to bring Equiano's story to life in an accurate and respectful manner. The film's success serves as a testament to their dedication to creating high-quality content and their ability to effectively use social media to reach a wide audience.
