Description
Florence Amara Akuma is a passionate emerging British–Nigerian filmmaker, writer, and director with a lifelong love for storytelling. Her journey into film began in September 2022 while studying at Coventry University in the UK, where she first stepped behind the camera and discovered the joy of shaping stories for the screen.
During her time there, she directed a range of projects that allowed her to explore different genres and approaches. These included the comedy short The Pizza Man and two documentaries, Environmental Feelings and Dr. Chijoke Peter Ndeche: The Life Journey and Impact of His Ministry. Each of these experiences strengthened her voice as a storyteller and helped her understand the power of film to capture both humor and humanity.
After relocating to the United Arab Emirates, Florence transferred to SAE University College in Dubai, where she is currently a second-year film student. At SAE she has continued to expand her skills and artistic perspective, directing the horror short The Game and a scene recreation from The Vampire Diaries created as part of an actor’s showreel. These projects challenged her to work with actors in new ways, experiment with tone, and build confidence in her ability to direct across different styles.
Her most recent project is Shadows of Desire, a two-minute psychological horror thriller and experimental film inspired by German Expressionism, particularly The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. The short explores themes of inner conflict and fractured identity through mood, shadow, and movement, relying less on dialogue and more on a bold visual language. Still in development, the film represents Florence’s growing interest in stylized storytelling and her pursuit of a distinct artistic voice.
Although she is primarily an emerging director, Florence has worked across multiple filmmaking roles including producing, cinematography, editing, and as a production assistant. This broad experience has given her a strong understanding of both the creative and technical processes behind filmmaking and has made her a versatile collaborator on set. She values the teamwork and detail that go into every aspect of production and uses this awareness to strengthen her directing.
Beyond her academic projects, Florence dedicates her time to writing original screenplays, including Against the Current, a sports drama, and The Clockmaker’s Orphan, a dark fantasy gothic animation and supernatural drama, along with several other works in development.
She is strongly influenced by Tim Burton, whose gothic horror and dark fantasy films have shaped her fascination with visual storytelling, and by the striking use of shadow and design in German Expressionism. These influences are reflected in her own work, which often explores identity, inner conflict, and the tension between light and darkness, both literal and metaphorical.
Florence’s style blends strong character-driven stories with bold visuals and emotionally resonant themes. She is committed to creating films that not only entertain but also move audiences, encouraging them to reflect on the human experience.
As an emerging filmmaker, Florence looks forward to collaborating with producers, actors, and fellow creatives who share her passion for bold, experimental, and emotionally impactful storytelling. With a growing body of work that spans comedy, documentary, and psychological horror, she is steadily building a foundation for a career that bridges cultures and explores stories with honesty, imagination, and visual power.
Special Skills & Experience
I began my filmmaking journey in 2022 at Coventry University and later continued at SAE University College in Dubai. Since then, I’ve directed across genres like comedy, documentary, horror, and experimental film, each shaping my voice as a storyteller. Projects like The Pizza Man taught me comedic timing, documentaries like Environmental Feelings taught me empathy and narrative discovery, and Shadows of Desire, inspired by German Expressionism, helped me develop a distinct visual style centered on identity, conflict, and atmosphere.
Alongside directing, I write original screenplays such as Against the Current and The Clockmaker’s Orphan, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and the tension between light and darkness. Producing has strengthened my resilience and problem-solving, while experience in cinematography and editing has deepened my understanding of visual storytelling and rhythm.
As a British–Nigerian filmmaker in Dubai, I bring a cross-cultural perspective to my work, drawn to stories of belonging and identity. Looking ahead, I aim to expand Against the Current into a feature, develop The Clockmaker’s Orphan as a gothic animation, and continue exploring bold, emotionally resonant cinema across genres.
Genre
Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Horror, Fantasy, Sports, Thriller