David Ikani, known in the creative space as Crosswordz, is more than just a director—he’s a multidisciplinary storyteller. A filmmaker, actor, writer, and a passionate advocate for social justice, Crosswordz is quickly becoming a distinctive voice in the Nigerian cinematic landscape.
We dive into his insights on craft, community, and the true meaning of “vawulence” in filmmaking.
The Evolution of a Storyteller
When asked about his directorial evolution, Crosswordz reveals a deeply personal journey rooted in his childhood observations and love for other art forms.
“I have always been a storyteller, the kid in class that can recount every movie to you in detail… I literally reenact films I had seen or create my own blockbusters.”
His path to directing was molded by a mix of disciplines, with his background in acting, writing, poetry, and music helping him “take a break from one art form by filling the blurring allure of the spotlight that comes with constantly being in front of the screen or on the stage.”
He views the director’s role as the culmination of these skills: “managing chaos and transforming it into cinematic bliss.”
On Social Themes: Truth, Love, and Vawulence
Crosswordz is vocal about using his platform for social good, making films that explore sensitive social justice themes. He believes in the necessity of speaking truth, even if it’s uncomfortable.
“Considering the social justice themes, the core message or emotional conviction you hope to leave with audiences after they watch one of your films is two things: 1. Stories must be told. It is only in telling stories that change can be achieved without force and truth can be preserved authentically… 2. Humans are capable of the greatest good and most terrible evil and this is one truth every one of my films must showcase, but in a world filled with choices, choose love, justice and choose life.”
To ensure an effective emotional connection, he employs masterful use of cinematic elements—paying attention to sound, color, and composition—to make his films “absolutely immersive and bear an awareness with reality or memory.”
The Hustle & The Heart: Motivation and Life
Filmmaking is a demanding process, requiring immense discipline. Crosswordz reveals his secret to staying productive: passion and duty.
“I honestly don’t drink a lot of water. Really, it helps. I pray when I feel lost and confused and I only work when I feel confident and in control. I constantly remind myself that I have so much as it’s enjoyable and it comes from a place of passion, it’s still a job… And I believe that by my God-vested artistic abilities, multiply social awareness and people skills, I am privileged and honored to carry through any film project, no matter how tasking, as long as ‘I want to do it’.”
For Crosswordz, the art of filmmaking isn’t just a career; it sustains his soul. He sees it as a “source of education and entertainment” that helps him evaluate his actions and different situations, often finding his own life paralleled by a character he has previously experienced on screen.
The Breakthrough and Future Projects
Every artist has that moment of validation. For Crosswordz, it came when a short film he wrote, directed, and produced was voted and put up for a live competition by the audience at a major film festival.
“The visible support, feedback and appreciation of my first project as a director that day and many days since then have set me on a path that I will not soon stray from.”
Currently, his focus is on a high-priority project: the third edition of the Capitol Film Fest 3.0, the biggest independent film festival in Northern Nigeria.
He is also actively promoting his short film, ISEDA (Beginning), which is currently raising funding on the Artizen Fund, an international decentralized independent art support fund. He notes that the film is expected to be finished in three years and will be screened at the festival.
You can follow David Ikani, a.k.a. Crosswordz, and his work on his social media platforms to support his journey in African cinema.
Hi guys, ISEDA is now live on the @ArtizenFund season 5 artifacts sales.
— DAVID IKANI (@IamCrosswordz) May 28, 2025
We’re already curated for 5 funds so your support will go a very long way in bringing this beautiful dream to reality!
Hurry now and go invest in the future #artizen #NFTs #Blockchainhttps://t.co/PnuddIN9Lh pic.twitter.com/B0DuVDSgnd
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