Nigerian filmmaker, Daniel Etim Effiong, has won top prize in Unilever’s Project Sunlight filmmaking competition, which was launched in autumn 2014. Emerging filmmakers across the continent were invited to make a film for Unilever’s corporate campaign, Project Sunlight. Specifically, they were required to make a film showcasing ways that women and girls are becoming new leaders and creating a brighter future for children.

Daniel Etim Effiong’s winning entry, Thato’s Dream, tells the story of Thato Kgatlhanye who together with her business partner founded Rethaka. The company produces re-purposed schoolbags, which are recycled schoolbags that charge up during the day and transform into a light so that children can study when they get home. Daniel’s work was highly praised for its inspiring idea, strong narrative and brilliant production quality. The win comes with $5,000 USD prize money and a trip to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.

Daniel Etim Effiong is currently  at AFDA (South Africa’s premium film school), further developing his filmmaking skills. In 2014, he won second prize in the Afrinolly Short Film Competition, for his short film, Crimson: Your Cup of Tea.