New Projects - Coming Soon
Past Projects
Faith - Short Film - Drama
Award-winning director and producer, Michelle Bello’s released movie, Faith, starring gospel artist, Sinmidele, and Nollywood actor, Ifeanyi Kalu, broke the record of being the first ever short film and faith based film to have an online premiere in Nigeria. In 6 days of marketing with no marketing budget, it breaks a new record with over 400 booked movie tickets. Faith became the face of the internet during its 6 days campaign as Christian communities and celebrities supported the initiative.
Michelle Bello, when asked what inspired Faith said that the movie was inspired by God. Little wonder why everyone who worked on the project volunteered to render their services completely free. These professionals have worked on some of the biggest projects in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The movie’s cast and crew was put together in two weeks after which the movie was shot and completed in just two days. In her own words “I have never produced a movie in such a short time”.
The movie tells the story of Faith, a gospel artist, whose dreams of getting signed to a big record label are about to come true, but on the way to her big meeting, a car hits her, leaving her for dead. Waking up in the hospital, unable to move her legs, her faith is tested in ways she could never have imagined. As she faces the biggest battle of her life, she learns the true meaning of faith.
There were amazing reviews from the movie premiere on Sunday, 31st January, 2021. A few of which go as follows:
“I was so blessed by this movie. Indeed, God never leaves. He’s always there to help us through challenges if only we speak his words. He listens to his words more than any other feelings… Thank you @imichellebello for saying yes to God and bringing this great film to us”
“This is sooooo beautiful, it definitely reminded me on why I need to be steadfast in my faith. Thank you so much. Beautiful voice Simidele “
“Thank you so much for this privilege. This movie is soul lifting and refreshing. At our lowest moments, we are expected to still trust and believe in God.”
Flower Girl - Feature Film - Romantic Comedy
Flower Girl, which was released in February 2013 to rave reviews. The movie hit number one in cinemas across Nigeria and was subsequently released in Ghana and had the same response. Several months later, Flower Girl was premiered in the US at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in Los Angeles in October 2013. On 4th October, it crossed over to the UK market opening in three of their biggest cinema chains including the Odeon, Vue and Cineworld cinemas. Michelle is the first female Nigerian director to have a UK theatrical release.
Flower Girl subsequently won ‘Best African Film’ in the UK at the Black International Film Festival early November 2013. The movie crossed the Atlantic once again to be screened at the Toronto Black Film Festival in February 2014. Aberdeen, Scotland, was the next stop for the film and was released in the cinema in February. It went on to win the Screen Nation Film & Television 2014 Award in the UK for ‘Favourite New Nollywood Film’ that same month. The film also received nominations for ‘Best Lighting’ at the African Movie Academy Awards 2013, and ‘Best Film’ at the Africa International Film Festival 2013.
Flower Girl itself was nominated for four AMVCA awards including ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Supporting Actor’ and went on to win ‘Best Writer in a Comedy’ and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ Awards. At the Nollywood Movies Awards 2014 held in October, Flower Girl was nominated for an outstanding nine awards including ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Director’. The movie won four awards including ‘Best Sound Design’, ‘Best Set Design’, ‘Best Soundtrack for Efya’ and ‘Best Editing’. Flower Girl was licensed for a second time on Netflix.
Small Boy - Feature Film - Drama
Michelle produced and directed her first feature film called Small Boy in 2007. The movie was nominated for the Heineken Red Star Award for “Innovation in Film and the Target Filmmaker Award for “Most Inspirational Film” at the 2008 American Black Film Festival in Los Angeles. On the home front, Small Boy premiered in Lagos, Nigeria to rave reviews and it went on to win Best Child Actor and Best Art Direction and two African Movie Academy Awards in April 2009.
The movie also screened at the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia and help to raise money for charities including an AIDS foundation. The movie also screened across Israel in various cities including Jerusalem and Haifa to name a few.