The Luxury of Torture

Project overview

Synopsis 

Victoria Nwosu grows up misunderstood, feeling unseen, unwanted, constantly humiliated, and emotionally isolated; first at school, then at university, and later within her own family. Her intelligence and creativity are overshadowed by bullying, academic failure, and a growing fear of rejection. Despite her struggles, Victoria clings to one dream: storytelling through film.

When she finally gains a scholarship into a film academy in Lagos state, Nigeria, she sees it as her escape; her chance to be seen and valued. However, upon arrival, her housing arrangement collapses, placing her in the hands of a stranger whose kindness turns threatening. Victoria escapes physical harm, but the psychological damage deepens.

As she tries to focus on her film project, the weight of her unresolved trauma begins to surface. She experiences hallucinations of an “Other Victoria”; a cruel, confident version of herself that feeds on her fears, self-hatred, and insecurities. Her sense of reality blurs as past memories of bullying, rejection, betrayal, and academic failure replay violently in her mind.

Her mental state deteriorates further when she begins to suspect betrayal from people around her; particularly within her film project team. Sleep deprivation, fear, and paranoia push her toward emotional collapse. Victoria is eventually forced to confront the truth: the greatest battle is not with Lagos, her classmates, or her past abusers; but with the voice inside her head shaped by years of trauma.

Why is this story important

The Luxury of Torture addresses mental health awareness, a growing but underrepresented issue in African storytelling. Many young people silently battle trauma caused by bullying, family pressure, academic failure, and societal expectations often without support or understanding.

This film:

- Encourages open conversations about mental health

- Highlights the need for empathy, early intervention, and support systems

- Reflects real experiences faced by young creatives and students

- Aims to inspire resilience, self-acceptance, and healing

Beyond entertainment, the project is designed to educate, provoke dialogue, and foster emotional connection, making it suitable for festivals, cinema, streaming platforms, community screenings, and advocacy campaigns.

The cooperation

About the director

Meet Gift Rogers (Also known as, Chiemelie Okonkwo) a passionate filmmaker and visionary Film director who is from Enugu State, Nigeria. Her passion for storytelling has led her to create impactful cinematic works. 

In 2019, Gift took her first bold step by completing a course in acting, followed by a filmmaking course in 2024. She further took an intensive directing course at EbonyLife Creative Academy in 2025. 

Gift’s debut short film, Self, received critical acclaim, earning multiple award nominations and international recognition; a remarkable start that established her as a rising voice in cinema. She continued to shine with What Happened Last Night, a film franchise which premiered in Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Lagos, Nigeria; with each screening receiving outstanding audience reactions. Now streaming on YouTube, the film continues to inspire viewers across Nigeria and beyond.

Her growing portfolio includes works like Lotanna, The Confined, each reflecting her dedication to exploring meaningful narratives and telling emotionally rich and socially relevant stories.

Gift is a versatile filmmaker and creative strategist with strong storytelling ability, leadership skills, and an eye for impactful visuals. She loves collaborating with talent, guiding performances, and creating films that deeply connect with audiences. 

Her personal belief and creative mantra: It’s the passion that drives you.

About the producer

Dawn Adaeze Atinse is a producer and creative strategist and marketing professional with 5+ years of experience across storytelling, PR & Advertising, Corporate communications, Branding, and Production management.

Trained as a Producer at EbonyLife Creative Academy, Nigeria where she worked hands-on in production planning and development, budgeting, scheduling, cast/crew coordination, and on-set management.

Experienced in leading end-to-end production processes from ideation to execution, and ensuring structure, clarity, and seamless collaboration across departments. She has managed multiple creative projects across marketing campaigns, brand activations, film, digital media, and content strategy, bringing strong organisational and leadership skills to every production.

She seamlessly merges strategic thinking with deep emotional intelligence, enabling her to guide stories that resonate, connect, and inspire audiences, and is passionate about amplifying African stories with excellence, professionalism, and creative direction.

About the cinematographer

Emmanuel Oluyori is a versatile and accomplished filmmaker, producer, director of photography (DOP), and editor, with experience across films, documentaries, and various projects. He has worked with a wide range of clients, from big corporations, foreign incorporated bodies, small businesses, religious organizations, fintech companies and production companies to small businesses and religious organizations. 

Some of his work includes:

- DOP for Ophidiophobia (2022) directed by Toyosi Ige

- DOP, editor, and colorist for House of Secrets (2023) directed by Niyi Akimolayan currently streaming  on Amazon prime video

- Cinematographer for Skinny Girl in Transit, currently on Ndani TV

- DOP for Fading Echoes (2025), now on IMDb

He has also worked on events like the GTCO Fashion Weekend and multiple roles for Aso Oke Exposé (director, DOP, editor, and colorist) etc.

Beyond filmmaking, Emmanuel teaches video and photography, helping students learn the craft. He is skilled in post-production, including editing, color grading, motion graphics, and preparing videos for online platforms. He also researches and selects supporting content like images, music, and footage to make projects look and feel professional.

With both creative vision and technical skills, Emmanuel brings stories to life while helping brands and projects communicate their values clearly.

The production house

Production house: The Gift Rogers Imagination

Founder: Gift Rogers

Company overview:

The Gift Rogers Imagination founded by filmmaker Gift Rogers, is a film and content production company rooted in strong storytelling. We are dedicated to producing emotionally resonant, socially relevant, and visually captivating stories that elevate African voices, challenge societal norms, and enrich lives. The company is built on Gift Rogers’ love for storytelling and her instinctive eye for detail. Each project we produce, whether it’s a thrilling story or an emotional drama is created with authenticity, creativity, and strong visuals in mind.

Its growing body of work shows how much we care about making quality films and trying new, bold ideas. With a talented team of professionals and a relentless pursuit of excellence, The Gift Rogers Imagination stands poised to make its mark on the global film industry, one unforgettable story at a time.

Vision Statement:

To become a leading African film and content company known for creating emotionally resonant, socially relevant, and visually captivating stories that spotlight African culture, elevate emerging voices, and transform lives through cinema.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to produce powerful films and multimedia content that inspire, educate, and challenge norms. We are committed to nurturing talent, promoting African narratives, and building a strong creative industry in the South East and across the continent.

Financial conclusion

The Luxury of Torture is a high-impact, low-risk creative project designed to deliver both cultural value and measurable returns in visibility, credibility, and long-term monetization opportunities.

This film addresses mental health, trauma, and youth resilience; themes that are increasingly relevant across Africa and globally, yet remain underrepresented in Nigerian cinema. Because of its strong social relevance, the project is well positioned for grant support, festival selection, institutional screenings, and partnerships with NGOs, educational bodies, and mental-health advocacy organizations.

Funding this project allows Feni Finance to:

- Support a socially responsible film with clear educational and awareness outcomes- Back a project with strong festival and distribution potential- Enable high production quality while keeping costs realistic and transparent- Invest in a filmmaker with a proven track record of executing socially driven film projects- From a financial perspective, The Luxury of Torture has multiple value streams:

Film festivals (local and international exposure)- Community and institutional screenings- Digital distribution platforms- Brand partnerships and advocacy collaborations- Long-term portfolio value for future investor-backed projects

Ultimately, The Luxury of Torture is more than a film; it is a strategic cultural product with lasting relevance. Funding this project means supporting a story that educates, resonates, and positions Feni Finance as a key enabler of impactful African storytelling.

Thank you to the Feni Finance team for the incredible work you are doing to support creatives. Your commitment to empowering filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs through accessible funding is not only impactful but transformative. By creating opportunities for stories like ours to be told, Feni Finance is helping to shape culture, amplify important voices, and strengthen the creative economy. I truly appreciate the platform, guidance, and belief you extend to creatives, and I’m grateful to be part of this ecosystem. I look forward to hearing from you.