Nigerian‑born filmmaker Ayoola Jolayemi has won Best Documentary – International at the Alternative Film Festival for his poignant short film Stop the Razor, a stark exploration of the lifelong impacts of female genital mutilation (FGM) through survivor Betty Ajele’s testimony.
The 9‑minute film captures Betty’s recollection of being deceived by her grandmother and subjected to FGM at age 12. Now living in the UK, in her 50s, she confronts the physical and emotional consequences that persist decades later. Through Jolayemi’s empathetic lens, audiences witness an intimate portrait of trauma and resilience.
Notably, Stop the Razor was produced by Dr Adebola (Bola) Oyelakin‑Ogungbadej, and funded by Change Agent Network CIC, a UK‑based social enterprise committed to empowering marginalised voices via creative storytelling. Filmed and completed in November 2024 on a modest budget of £8,000, this collaboration underlines its community‑driven ethos.
The win adds momentum to the film’s journey. Upon receiving the award, Jolayemi thanked Dr Oyelakin‑Ogungbadejo and the Change Agent Network team on social media, emphasising their shared mission “to fight for a future free from FGM”. The acknowledgement has amplified the film’s reach, with features in Nigerian media and resonant local and international festival conversations.
With over 230 million women and girls affected by FGM worldwide—and nearly 3 million more at risk each year—the film urges immediate action on education, legal protections, and survivor support. In partnership with Change Agent Network, the project aims to transform cinematic storytelling into concrete advocacy efforts and community mobilisation.
Speaking after the win, Jolayemi stated:
“When we speak up, we open doors. When we tell our stories, we shift the world… The razor needs to be stopped. Young girls deserve better.”
He added that partnerships with organisations like Change Agent Network CIC and the production leadership of Dr Oyelakin‑Ogungbadejo have given Stop the Razor both credibility and reach, helping it serve as a catalyst for change.