Hi, I’m Evett, and I’m fundraising on behalf of my brother, Siafa Manequi. Since Ghana is currently unsupported by GoFundMe, Siafa asked me to set up this fundraiser for him. Funds will go directly to Siafa and his team in Accra, Ghana:

Hello!! I’m Siafa Manequi (Hassan Salifu-Sheriff), a filmmaker, writer, and director raising funds to produce my debut feature film, In the Mist.

Logline

In the Mist is a surreal crime drama about Sule, a young musician whose search for a better life pulls him into a world where nothing is quite what it seems.

Filmmaker’s statement

In The Mist is a deeply personal, roughly autobiographical film inspired by my experiences, family, and the communities that shaped me. I’m a Ghanaian filmmaker with Liberian and Sierra Leonean heritage and northern Ghanaian roots.

I lived for five years in the now-closed Buduburam refugee camp, an experience that shaped my understanding of survival, resilience, and community. The film is profoundly inspired by the tragic loss of my younger brother, who was killed by police in 2014, and by the relationship we shared.

I chose to shoot in Agbogbloshie not only to explore environmental themes, but because the camp no longer exists and the two communities share important parallels. Coming from northern Ghana is also significant, since many people who live and work in Agbogbloshie hail from the north as well.

In 2024, I directed a documentary in Agbogbloshie about climate injustice and e-landfills, building relationships within the community. During my time there, I interviewed young men whose stories helped shape In The Mist. I also worked with German cinematographer Dario Wendt on the guerrilla-style documentary Adwuma (Hustle). These experiences continue to inform my approach to In The Mist, grounding it in honesty, intimacy, and humanity.

Setting

60 percent of the project will be filmed in Agbogbloshie, whilst the remaining 40 percent will be shot in locations around Accra and Nabogu, a village in norther region of Ghana.

In choosing our locations, Agbogbloshie serves as a raw, vivid backdrop. It is one of the world’s largest electronic waste dumps, a place where survival and innovation coexist in tension. Meanwhile, Nabogu, in Ghana’s northern region, is where many Agbogbloshie residents come from.

Visual Style and Cinematic Influences

In The Mist is a film that blends stark realism with poetic symbolism. Our visual style will be anchored in the raw intensity of life in Agbogbloshie. Handheld camera work, natural lighting, and a color palette of dark, earthy tones will be employed. These choices will immerse viewers in a world where beauty and struggle coexist.

Our cinematic influences ground this realism in a global context. La Haine inspired us with its kinetic camerawork and unflinching gaze at marginalized youth. Similarly, War Pony’s naturalistic style, using non-professional actors, shows us the power of authentic performance. And Ghosts of Cité Soleil with its unflinching, immediate style shaped our moral and emotional lens. Together, these influences create a film where every frame pulses with honesty, emotion, and a deep connection to place.

Community Collaboration & Artistic Partnership

In The Mist is built around collaboration with the community that inspires its story. The film will bring together professional actors and non-professional actors from Agbogbloshie, allowing people with lived experience of the environment to contribute their authenticity, language, and personal understanding to the world of the film.

Beyond casting, we will collaborate with musicians from Agbogbloshie to create a unique soundscape that reflects the energy, struggles, and creativity of the community. Their voices and artistic expressions will become an essential part of the film’s identity. By working with local talent both in front of and behind the camera, In The Mist aims to create a film that feels lived-in rather than constructed.

The Soundtrack

In 2024, Nigerian musician Black Kalonji read the script for In The Mist. Two months later, he delivered a 15-track original soundtrack inspired by the film's story, characters and world.

Budget

Every contribution helps move In the Mist from script to screen. Your support will go toward:

Pre-Production

Production

Post-Production

Marketing & Distribution

Our goal is to use every contribution responsibly to make the strongest film possible.

Production Team

our team brings together filmmakers and creatives from Ghana and around the world, united by a shared vision for the film.

Join Us in Bringing In The Mist to the World

Your support is a vital step in bringing this story to life. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us collaborate with local artists, secure filming in Agbogbloshie, and amplify this Ghanaian voice on the global stage.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to sharing our progress with you and, eventually, the finished film.

Follow our Journey

Instagram: Siafa Manequi