The Foundation Was Built at Home: New York-Based Nigerian Filmmaker Ihunmehai Isaac on Identity, Global Storytelling

How did your education journey from Nigeria to New York shape your confidence and career path?

I studied Accounting for my first degree at the University of Benin, Edo State. But I struggled to fully connect with the discipline. I completed the degree, but deep down, I knew it was not the path I wanted to continue pursuing.

I later took courses at the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University and Lagos Business School. That period truly changed my life. It was where I started exploring my creativity through photography and video editing. I knew I had strong creative instincts, so I started questioning why I was trying so hard to force myself into a field that did not reflect who I truly was. That discovery pushed me to pivot into media and storytelling.

I later pursued my master’s degree in media management at the New School in New York. It was transformational. My excellent academic and creative performances gave me more confidence I had not felt before. It helped me realise that sometimes people are not incapable – they are simply in environments that do not align with their strengths.

Shortly after graduating, I got my first opportunity in documentary filmmaking through a professor who opened an important door for me. From there, more opportunities followed, and my career has continued to evolve ever since.

Many African students abroad experience culture shock, loneliness, financial pressure, and uncertainty. What were some of the major challenges you faced as an immigrant student in the United States?

I was not excluded from any of it. Moving to the United States as an immigrant student was exciting, but it was also emotionally and practically overwhelming at times. One of the biggest challenges was financial pressure. I attended one of the more expensive schools in New York, and there was always this uncertainty about what would happen next — financially, professionally, and personally.

I also experienced loneliness. When you move to a completely different country, away from everything familiar, it can feel isolating, especially in the beginning. But one thing I quickly learned was the importance of community. Surrounding yourself with people who understand you and support you makes a real difference.

I had a friend I shared an apartment with, which helped reduce financial pressure. At school, I met a professor who later connected me to projects that changed my career trajectory and opened doors for me in documentary filmmaking. Through that, I got to work on projects that became Emmy-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted. You need community, resilience, and faith. My belief has always been simple: never give up and always have hope.

What kept you going during moments of rejection, uncertainty or self-doubt?

Building a career abroad as an immigrant can sometimes feel invisible and emotionally exhausting. There are moments of rejection, self-doubt and uncertainty, and moments where you feel you are constantly proving yourself. But one of the biggest things that kept me going was hope.

Hope is a powerful thing. I just kept going, even when things did not fully make sense yet. I learned to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. You cannot do everything at once, or learn everything immediately, but you can always do something.

I was relentless. Seeing other African immigrants thrive reminded me that it was possible. I also did not forget my roots. I grew up in Nigeria in a middle-class home where there were periods my family struggled financially, and many things I did not have access to (growing up). So being able to express my creativity today and have it recognized is something I never take for granted.

What are some misconceptions people back home often have about living and working in America?

One of the biggest misconceptions is the assumption that once you start earning in dollars, you automatically become wealthy. There is sometimes this perception back home that once someone moves abroad, they have “made it” financially. But the reality is much more complex. Many immigrants are working extremely hard just to maintain stability while navigating an entirely different economic system and environment.

Another misconception is that living abroad automatically makes someone better or more talented than people back home. I do not think so. In fact, I often say that many of the skills, instincts, and experiences that are serving me today were developed in Nigeria long before I moved to the United States.

In Nigeria, I worked as a wedding photographer and editor, covering high-profile weddings connected to political and influential families. I gained real-world creative and technical experience through that work. I was already learning storytelling, editing, client management, discipline, and creative problem-solving before I arrived in New York.

New York expanded my exposure and opened a global stage, but the foundation was already built at home in Nigeria. It was built in Benin City, Edo State, where I grew up. That foundation shaped my work ethic, creativity, resilience, and perspective long before I entered the international film and media industry. Immigrants do not arrive abroad empty. We bring experiences, talents, histories and identities that continue to shape our work globally.

What role did mentorship play in your career, and why is it vital for young African women?

Mentorship changed the trajectory of my life and career. Without it, I would not have had access to many of the opportunities I have today. My professor at The New School, Vinay Chowdhry, played a major role in opening doors for me early in my journey. His guidance and faith in me inspired me further and helped shape my career in documentary filmmaking and post-production.

Exposure connected to global companies like Netflix also gave me mentorship, industry access, and professional environments that helped me grow tremendously. Those experiences showed me what was possible.

Beyond mentorship, sponsorship is equally important. There are people who do not just advise you; they actively advocate for you, recommend you, open doors for you, and push you into rooms you may not have been able to enter on your own. Those people can change the course of your career. Sometimes, talent alone is not enough; access matters, too.

Mentorship and support gave me the confidence to fully lean into my gifts. Because of that, I hope to create spaces where other young African women can also feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue careers that genuinely align with who they are.

This is especially important for young African women because many of us grow up in environments where only a few career paths are considered acceptable or secure. There is often pressure to become a medical doctor, lawyer or engineer. While those professions are valuable, there are also young women gifted in storytelling, filmmaking, music, photography, and other artistic fields. I believe parents and communities should allow young women explore those dreams. People can build meaningful, impactful careers through creative work.

What themes and subjects form part of your storytelling work?

I have worked on projects covering sports, climate, identity, mental health, grief, and broader social realities. Even when they appear very different on the surface, I often find that there is always a deeply human story underneath.

I am especially drawn to stories that explore the realities of people’s lives – identity, emotional resilience, relationships, social structures, and the internal experiences people carry. Of course, structure and technical storytelling are important, but for me, emotion is often the entry point. I always want audiences to feel something genuine when they watch a project.

I also believe women should be at the forefront of storytelling, especially on topics connected to mental health, grief, abuse, identity or social realities. Storytelling is not just about presenting information; it is about creating emotional understanding. It helps people feel seen, understood, or challenged through the stories we tell.

What inspired your project Graduate Life Uncut during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Launching Graduate Life Uncut in 2020 came from a genuine desire to create community, share ideas, and amplify the voices of international students. At the time, I was surrounded by friends and peers navigating graduate school abroad, and I saw that many of us were experiencing similar challenges in isolation. I wanted to create a platform for immigrant graduate students worldwide to share their experiences navigating life as international students. The goal was to start conversations and create connection through shared experiences.

What opportunities currently exist for African women in film, digital storytelling and content creation?

One thing I always emphasise – especially to women of colour and African women – is that there are many entry points into this industry. Most people only see the visible roles like director or producer, but filmmaking and digital storytelling are made up of entire ecosystems of careers.

You can build a career as an assistant editor, editor, producer, or creative director. The pathways are wider than most people realise. What matters most is the willingness to study the craft, understand the industry, and stay consistent. Consistency is one of the most underrated parts of building a career. Many opportunities come from continuously showing up, learning, improving, and putting your work into the world.

It is important for African women to understand that they belong in these spaces – not just in front of the camera, but across every part of the storytelling process. For me, storytelling is not just about entertainment. It is about perspective, identity, culture, emotion, and impact. The more diverse the people shaping stories, the richer and more truthful those stories become.

What does empowerment mean to you personally as a woman, immigrant and creative storyteller?

Empowerment means having the ability to create a life of freedom, stability, and choice. A significant part of that is financial independence. For a long time, creative careers were seen as risky or unconventional. People assumed that pursuing a creative path meant sacrificing financial stability. That has changed. Creativity has become an increasingly valuable skill across almost every sector.

For me, empowerment is the ability to support myself, invest in my future, help others when I can, and live a life that reflects the work I have put in. It is the freedom to pursue opportunities, take creative risks, and keep growing without being limited by fear or dependence. Empowerment means shaping your own life. Financial independence is a significant part of that.

How do you stay connected to your Nigerian roots while building a career in New York?

Staying connected to my Nigerian identity has never been difficult because Nigeria is deeply part of who I am. In New York, I am constantly surrounded by reminders of home – family, friends, community, culture, food, music, and the Nigerians I encounter every day. It is not unusual to walk into a restaurant, bar, or gathering and hear Afrobeats in the background. Nigerian culture is vibrant, global, and very present.

But beyond the music and culture, what keeps me connected is the people. I see people who are ambitious, resilient, and committed to making an impact. That spirit is what I associate with being Nigerian. We are hardworking, creative and resilient; and we find ways to keep moving forward even when circumstances are challenging.

Staying connected to my roots is not something I actively work at. It is reflected in my work ethic, my resilience, my sense of community, and my belief that with persistence and faith, anything is possible. My Nigerian identity was shaped in Benin City, Edo State, by my family, my community, and the experiences that made me who I am. No matter where I am in the world, that foundation stays with me.

What changes would you like to see in education and societal attitudes toward careers in creative industries for young Africans?

I have seen firsthand how hesitant some African parents and elders can be about creative careers. Often, that hesitation comes from a place of love and concern. They want stability and security for their children, especially their daughters. But I would encourage them to be open.

If a young person is talented, passionate, disciplined, and willing to work at their craft, there is real potential to build a meaningful career. Creativity is no longer a niche industry. It is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, influencing everything from entertainment and media to technology, education, marketing, and business.

What I would love to see is education, structure, mentorship, and access within creative industries. Many young people have the talent and desire, but do not know what opportunities exist or how to navigate them. The more we expose young people to available careers, the more informed their choices will be.

Ultimately, we need to become more open-minded about creative careers. There are many young people who want to pursue these paths but do not know where to begin because they rarely see examples of success around them. The more stories we share; the more possibilities we create for the next generation.

What key lessons would you share with young girls across Nigeria and Africa from your career journey?

Believe in yourself. Everything starts from there. When you believe in yourself, you approach opportunities differently. You take more chances. You advocate for yourself. You treat yourself with greater respect. You allow yourself to dream bigger. And that belief eventually shows up in your work, your relationships, and the decisions you make about your future. The combination of self-belief, perseverance, and consistent effort can take you further than you ever imagined.

Today, that foundation has taken me into rooms I never imagined possible, including working on a project for a company owned by (former NFL quarterback) Tom Brady. Imagine someone from Benin City, Nigeria, working on a project of that calibre. God’s grace helps us reach our goals. For me, it is a reminder that your circumstances do not have to define your future.