Canon Central and North Africa celebrated Nigerian filmmaker Nora Awolowo with an exclusive Lagos screening of Racket Queen, shot on the Canon EOS C400. The event showcased Canon’s commitment to African filmmaking, featured networking sessions, and included the soft launch of the EOS C50, empowering emerging creators across the continent.
LAGOS, Nigeria — In a vibrant celebration of African creativity and cinematic innovation, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) hosted an exclusive screening of Racket Queen, the latest short film by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Nora Awolowo, at a high-profile event in Lagos. The film, shot entirely on Canon’s flagship EOS C400 cinema camera, served as both a showcase of Awolowo’s creative mastery and a testament to Canon’s growing commitment to Africa’s filmmaking community.
The dual-event screening, which included a morning session for media professionals and an evening industry gathering, brought together filmmakers, journalists, and creative leaders from across the region. Attendees experienced firsthand how technology and artistry merged to create the visually stunning and emotionally resonant Racket Queen.
A Celebration of Creative Vision and Technology
Canon’s collaboration with Awolowo exemplifies the brand’s ongoing mission to empower storytellers through cutting-edge imaging technology. The Racket Queen screening not only celebrated Awolowo’s storytelling brilliance but also highlighted Canon’s investment in Africa’s creative ecosystem.
Shot using the Canon EOS C400, a professional-grade camera designed for high-end filmmaking, Racket Queen demonstrates the system’s ability to capture cinematic depth, vibrant color, and dynamic motion. From the sweeping scenes of youthful ambition to moments of quiet resilience, every frame bore the clarity and richness that define Canon’s imaging excellence.
Speaking at the event, Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director for Canon Central and North Africa, emphasized the company’s philosophy of merging innovation with artistry:
“At Canon, we believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of equipping creators with the right tools to express their vision. Our collaboration with Nora on Racket Queen reflects how technology and artistry come together to elevate filmmaking in Africa. We’re proud to continue empowering creators and building a thriving creative community across the region.”
Showcasing Africa’s Rising Filmmaking Power
For Awolowo, whose distinctive visual storytelling has earned her recognition as one of Nigeria’s most promising filmmakers, working with Canon once again proved to be an enriching partnership. Reflecting on the project, she described the experience as one of creative synergy and technical exploration.
“Working with Canon is always a creative partnership built on trust and innovation,” Awolowo said. “The EOS C400 gave me the flexibility and technical precision I needed to bring Racket Queen to life. I’m proud of what we achieved together and grateful for Canon’s continued support for filmmakers like myself.”
The Racket Queen narrative follows a young girl who discovers her passion for tennis and, with her mother’s unwavering support, fights against the odds to pursue her dream. Starring Pamilerin Ayodeji, Tunbosun Aiyedehin, Kayode Jnr Ojuolape, and Folu Storms, the film explores themes of resilience, ambition, and the power of familial love — a story that resonates deeply within Nigeria’s cultural and social context.
A Soft Launch for Canon EOS C50: Empowering Emerging Filmmakers
Alongside the screening, Canon unveiled the EOS C50, its latest addition to the Cinema EOS lineup. Compact yet powerful, the C50 is designed to democratize professional filmmaking by making high-quality production more accessible to emerging creators.
The camera’s soft launch at the Lagos event symbolized Canon’s dual focus — empowering established filmmakers like Awolowo while nurturing the next generation of African storytellers. The C50 promises to deliver advanced imaging capabilities in a smaller, more affordable form factor, addressing the growing demand among indie filmmakers, content creators, and students for professional-grade tools.
An Industry Gathering of Innovation and Inspiration
The morning media screening offered journalists from arts, entertainment, business, and tech publications an intimate look into Awolowo’s creative process and the technical artistry behind Racket Queen. The evening industry screening, attended by filmmakers, producers, and members of Canon’s creative network, evolved into a lively celebration of collaboration, innovation, and storytelling.
Networking sessions following the screenings created opportunities for dialogue around the evolving film landscape in Africa — and how new technologies can bridge the gap between creativity and accessibility. Participants discussed the growing role of digital tools in independent filmmaking and how brands like Canon are helping shift Africa from being a consumer of global media to a producer of world-class cinema.
Canon’s ICE Strategy and Creative Empowerment in Africa
Canon’s partnership with Awolowo aligns with the company’s Innovation, Customer, and Employee Experience (ICE) strategy, a framework focused on long-term empowerment and sustainable growth within creative industries. Through this approach, Canon has consistently sought to inspire and equip Africa’s creative professionals — from photographers and cinematographers to visual artists and content creators — with the tools and training they need to succeed.
By organizing workshops, mentorship programmes, and technical collaborations across the continent, Canon continues to strengthen its position as the go-to brand for professional imaging and videography in Africa. The company’s commitment goes beyond hardware, extending to community-building initiatives that foster creativity and innovation at every level of production.
Africa’s Creative Future: A Shared Vision
Canon’s support for Racket Queen underscores the brand’s broader vision for Africa’s creative economy — one that thrives on collaboration, diversity, and technological empowerment. With filmmakers like Nora Awolowo leading the charge, the continent is increasingly becoming a hub for authentic, globally relevant storytelling.
The Lagos event, with its blend of art, technology, and networking, served as a reminder that the future of African cinema lies in the hands of creators who dare to tell their stories in new and powerful ways.
As Rashad Ghani put it, the goal is not only to showcase the capabilities of Canon cameras but to ignite a movement of creators who see technology as an enabler, not a replacement, of human imagination.
“Every great story starts with a vision,” Ghani said. “Our role is to make sure filmmakers have the tools and confidence to bring that vision to life.”
A New Chapter for African Filmmaking
From Lagos to Nairobi, Accra to Johannesburg, Canon’s growing presence signals a renaissance in African visual storytelling. Collaborations like Racket Queen demonstrate how partnerships between technology leaders and creative visionaries can redefine what’s possible on screen.
For Nora Awolowo, Racket Queen represents both a personal milestone and a glimpse into the continent’s cinematic future — one where African stories are told with world-class quality and authenticity.
And for Canon, it marks yet another step in its mission to bridge creativity and technology, empowering Africa’s filmmakers to dream, shoot, and share their stories with the world.
