By Milcah Tanimu
In a significant achievement for Nigerian cinema, *The Interrogation of Lotanna* has won the Best Nollywood Short Film award at the Realtime International Film Festival (RTF) in Birmingham, UK. Directed and written by Reginald Jumbo, also known as Grandmaster Prime, the film was produced by Ibukun Serah Adetoyinbo and Ore Oba.
The RTF Fest, founded by Stanley Ohikhuare in 2016, is known for its dedication to promoting independent filmmakers and fostering a vibrant creative economy. It has played a crucial role in launching the careers of numerous filmmakers, with many now featured on major streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon.
This year’s festival showcased a range of Nigerian films, including *Garden of Healing* by Ozor Uche, *Kaka* by Prince Daniel, and *Arinye* by Seun Afolabi. *The Interrogation of Lotanna* stood out among these, capturing the award for Best Nollywood Short Film.
The film, set in a turbulent era, follows Captain Ardo, tasked with suppressing a rebellion in the east. His mission to locate the rebel leader, Zuru Nkwu, leads him to Lotanna, a suspect who, despite enduring severe torture, continues to assert his innocence. The film features a strong cast, including William Chinoyenem, Cassey Oritsejolomi, Anthony Nwahiri, Francis Sule, Michael Embraiz, and Mr. Rala.
