A NEW documentary exploring the African experience in Wellington is set to show at the town’s upcoming film festival.

This is the first documentary produced by journalist and former radio host Philip Asiawo.

Having moved from Ghana to Wellington in 2024, the media professional said he was searching for a project to “keep his passion alive”.

With the help of festival committee member Cllr Keith Wheatley, Mr Asiawo came up with an “innovative” short film idea, to provide an insight into the lifestyles and experiences shared by members of the local African community, which could then be shown alongside the South African comedy Mr Bones.

The new 15-minute documentary entitled ‘Welcome to Wellington: An African Journey’ will be screened in a double bill alongside Mr Bones on Saturday, October 4 from 4.30pm.

Mr Asiawo said: “I want this to be an opportunity for inclusivity, because I realised that members of the African community didn’t really feel a part of the last film festival.

“I hope, with this film, that we can change that perception and opinion and make people feel a part of it.

“I also want to help people come out more, to know that if they have an interest or special talents, there are systems in this community that are willing to acknowledge and include them.”

‘Welcome to Wellington: An African Journey’ features interviews with the team at High Street restaurant Our Embassy, a couple, a local choir, a schoolboy, and a nurse, all living in and around Wellington.

The producer added: “As I understand, a few years back there weren’t a lot of members of the African community here.

“So, we decided to look at how people are surviving. Obviously, work brought a lot of people here. But aside from that, what they eat, the weather, friendships, relationships, associations, how it all is for them.”

Despite having a background in radio, with the help of the educational charity Somerset Film, Mr Asiawo was able to embark on the production of his first documentary.

Mr Asiawo said: “I think it's always been a part of me to be creative and to share stories, and I want to continue learning alongside impacting others.

“When I look at my journey, I've grown, I've evolved from when I started, and that makes me a better storyteller as well.

“Media is a frame; we influence how people see things. I just want to impact people to make better decisions.”

He added: “Maybe people didn't know about, or they've never had a chance to taste African food, say. That's why they haven't eaten any. But if they were presented with the opportunity, they would like to.

“Maybe people from my community haven't really involved themselves in the Wellington Film Festival because they didn't know about it. But until you present someone with the opportunity, you cannot say for a fact or draw a conclusion that they don't like something or someone, or they don't want to be a part of it.”

Wellington Film Festival is taking place from October 3 until 5.