Tiana Mathews: I Can’t Imagine Doing Something Else

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Tiana Idoni Matthews
Tiana Idoni Matthews

At 26, Tiana Idoni Matthews may not be the youngest celebrity but the Harvard-trained Nigerian must rank among the most gifted Nigerian youngsters. Born in New York, United States, she grew up splitting her time between Nigeria and New York City. She graduated with a B.A. in Visual and Environmental Studies with focus on film making. After graduating she worked as an assistant producer on Grey Gardens, her first film. Tiana studied Visual and Environmental Studies with focus on film making against the advice and desire of her father who wanted her to be an economist. After her degree, she established Sheba Films, an independent film production company based in New York City in 2010. Her second film, The Warrior and The Saviour, has been nominated for six awards at this year’s St. Tropez International Film Festival that will be taking place in the South of France from 16th-18th May. “This is an encouraging one for her career and satisfaction. Secondly, that the film is nominated is a great thing. If she wins the awards I will be a full proud father,” Tiana’s father told this magazine last week. Tiana who said she is not ready to rest on her laurels expressed optimism that The Warrior and The Saviour will clinch the awards in the forthcoming film festival. The combination of beauty and brains told SOLA ADEOLA that when a story is good, people will always watch

What was growing up like for you?

I was born in New York when my parents moved to the USA, but I am a Nigerian. I had all my education in the United States and I studied film production in Harvard University. My first film is Grey Garden, which won the best TV film in the US. I worked with Bill Gates. I have won many other awards. And I am going back for my Masters in Columbia University, New York City. I was involved in teaching projects. My next film brought me to Nigeria and my mission now is searching for location for my next film. I have spent all my life in the States but the family really visits home a lot. So growing up for me was a lot of fun. And I am the first of four children.

Your film, The Warrior and the Saviour has been nominated for six awards in different categories – the best film of the festival, best director, best actor, best supporting actress, best feature film, best producer, best cinematography and best editing. How do you feel?

It is great, but it is nice to be recognised. I am really excited.

Did you ever think that you would make films talk less of being recognised?

I have done drama in lower schools before university. I love stories and I love movies; even as a child I have liked it. I specialised in film making

What was your experience when producing this film?

It was a tough production with a low budget and transportation was a problem. Having to move the crew from place to place was not easy at all; it was the biggest challenge.

Have you ever acted as an adult?

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No, I was not acting but I was determined to do film production. I am well defined and I just want to have the knowledge of how film production works

What is the source of your strength?

I believe in myself and my profession. I cannot imagine myself doing something else. I have been nominated. But for me, this is not the time to rest because I am already thinking about my next project, which brought me to Nigeria this time around, to source for location.

What is your take on Nigerian films?

Oh! the industry is there, but I believe there is room for improvement. I want Nigerian films to be recognised worldwide. The auditory needs to be worked on, it is a very simple thing.

Do you have plans to market the film in Nigeria?

We already have commercial connections with Nigeria; we are finding people as the distributors so that we can recover our investment back.

What is your advice for Nigerian youths?

Youth should be encouraged to pursue their dreams because you never can tell where life can take them. For sure, they will always excel in that thing that stimulates them. I want to thank my father who is my executive producer and my family for their contributive roles.

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