Kininso: Reflecting on the things that defined our journey unto the new year
By Joshua Alabi
I hope this message finds you well and filled with excitement for the new year! I am happy to share some of the incredible achievements we accomplished in 2024.
Guess what? I have been selected once again as a Global Fellow of the International Society of Performing Arts (ISPA) in New York! It is truly an honour to be recognized on a global scale for our work in the performing arts.
Reflecting on the past year, I am filled with pride for all that we have achieved at Kininso through our various platforms and storytelling pathways. We have had the privilege of engaging with clients and partners to produce some of the most captivating theatre, film, and media projects worldwide. We began the year with ambitious dreams and innovative ideas, and I am proud to say that we have brought many of these visions to life. One of our standout accomplishments was the production of Awori, a short film based on my personal experience with pipeline vandalism 17 years ago. This film was screened at the African International Film Festival and Beeta Arts Festival, receiving high praise from audiences and the media.
Additionally, we produced and screened Undersight, a short film focusing on digital rights for the Paradigm Initiative, which was featured at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum in Ghana. In the midst of all this, we also created a 13-episode web series titled “Dirty Laundry’ and four new movies to be launched on our new YouTube channel in 2025.
This past year has been incredibly successful for me, wearing multiple hats as CEO/Creative Director of Kininso, as well as a producer, director, writer, consultant and teacher. I had the pleasure of leading a workshop at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Dortmund, Germany, where I shared my expertise on crafting compelling stories for film and theatre with eager students. Our tour of Sandscape , a performance for early years across six cities in Germany was a thrilling experience that showcased our creative talents in crafting innovative performances for different age groups. This work was performed at the Von Klein Auf festival in Tubingen, Kuckuck Festival by Schauburg in Munich, Junges Schauspiel in Dusseldorf, Kuss festival by Hessisches Landestheater in Marburg and Comedia Theatre in Cologne.
One of the highlights of the year was the launch of the African Festival Network at the Artfluence Human Rights festival in Durban, South Africa. It was a gathering of festival makers, cultural producers, and creative industries leaders discussing the future of festivals in Africa and the diaspora. We delved into topics such as influencing policies, fostering collaboration, and forming partnerships to elevate the arts and culture scene.
One of Kininso’s foreign performance collaborations, with Joshua Alabi (third from right)
Expanding our reach to the UK was a dream come true, with meetings at prestigious theaters, universities, and cultural institutions. Collaborating with Zarts Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University was a privilege, where I conducted workshops on Contemporary Performance Lab with talented MA/MFA students. Being a faculty member at the Performance Epistemologies of the Global Majority Summer School at the Performance Studies International Conference (#PSi29), hosted by the University of London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama was a truly enriching experience. Participating in a panel hosted by the African Centre in London on ‘Being a Black Artistic Director in a Time of Polycrisis’ allowed me to share my insights as a global leader in strategic management and artistic direction, advancing Africa’s creative economy. And let’s not forget the excitement of screening my latest play ‘Waterside’, as part of the PACE+ programme within the Brighton Fringe Festival during our six-week tour in the UK. Overall, it has been a whirlwind of creativity, collaboration, and growth, and I am curious to see what the future holds for Kininso and our continued impact. We were excited to once again collaborate with the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX WKND) in Algeria, where we showcased our performance of King of My Heart, representing Nigeria at this prestigious global creative industries event organized by the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afrexim).
Also, I am proud to share the incredible achievements of our team members. Our Head of Operations Angela Peters was recently inducted as a Salzburg Global Fellow in Austria, focusing on the intersection of creativity, art, and emerging technologies. Additionally, our Administrative Manager, Chinenye Chukwudi, was honoured as a 2024 Lantern Art/Space Fellow, a Sahara Centre initiative in partnership with Goethe-Institut Nigeria, dedicated to harnessing the power of cultural and creative industries for societal change. As we celebrated our 13th year anniversary on August 1, 2024, we reflected on the relationships, hard work, partnerships, collaborations, growth, consistency, and grit that have defined our journey.
To our valued clients and partners, I am filled with gratitude for the discussions, meetings, collaborations, and executions that have allowed us to push boundaries and create unforgettable experiences. Each project has not only strengthened our organization but has also enriched the creative landscape we all hold dear. Thank you for entrusting us with your vision and for joining us on this incredible journey. Your feedback and insights have fueled our drive for excellence and pushed us to new heights. We are thrilled about the endless possibilities that await us and are dedicated to delivering top-notch service and creativity.
CEO/Creative Director of Kininso, Joshua Alabi
To my amazing and supportive team, I am truly grateful for each and every one of you. This year has been a whirlwind of challenges, growth, and remarkable achievements, all thanks to your hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit. Together, we have faced uncertainties head-on and emerged stronger than ever. Your unwavering teamwork and dedication to our mission have been the cornerstone of our success. From our groundbreaking projects to the exceptional service we provide our clients, your contributions have not gone unnoticed. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. Every department, every team, and every individual has played a crucial role in our journey. As we dive into the New Year, let’s carry forward the momentum we’ve built together. I am eager to explore new opportunities, conquer challenges, and celebrate even more successes with all of you. The future is brimming with possibilities, and I have full confidence that, together, we will continue to push boundaries and achieve greatness.
Wishing you and your loved ones a prosperous New Year ahead! Let’s all return rejuvenated and ready to conquer 2025 with enthusiasm and determination!
* Alabi is CEO/Creative Director of Kininso
