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Godspeed

Godspeed is a meditative film that explores the notions of personhood, faith, and intergenerational community. Poetry, music, and visuals converge to lead us through the life of a Black girl as she becomes a Black woman. As she is forced to make sense of the dynamic tension between the child she was and the woman she will be, she draws strength from the one person who knows her best: her mother.

  • Sade Abiodun
    Director
  • Sade Abiodun
    Writer
  • Jonathan Michala
    Producer
  • Michael J Ivory
    Producer
  • Ayana Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Mother "
  • Manasia Cobb
    Key Cast
    "Young Woman/Woman"
  • Arykah DeVaughn
    Key Cast
    "Child"
  • Sydney Kain
    Key Cast
    "Young Girl"
  • Steve Milligan
    Director of Photography
  • Sade Abiodun
    Editor
  • Nonnie Egbuna
    Narrator/Poet
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 9 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • San Diego Black Film Festival
    San Diego, California
    United States
    February 1, 2020
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Top Shorts Film Festival
    Online Competition
    United States
    Winner - Best Inspirational Film
  • Hayti Heritage Film Festival
    Durham, North Carolina
    United States
    February 14, 2020
    Official Selection
  • LA Black Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    February 12, 2020
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Indie Grits Film Festival
    Columbia, South Carolina
    United States
    March 26, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Charlotte Black Film Festival
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Riverrun Film Festival
    Winston-Salem, North Carolina
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Seattle Black Film Festival
    Seattle, WA
    United States
    Official Selection
  • First Time Filmmaker Online Showcase

    April 10, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Longleaf Film Festival
    Raleigh, NC
    United States
    April 27, 2020
    Winner - Best Spoken Word
  • San Francisco Black Film Festival
    San Francisco
    United States
    Official Selection
  • LA Diversity Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    August 22, 2020
    Official Selection
  • LA Underground Film Forum
    Los Angeles, California
    July 18, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Macon Film Festival
    Macon, Georgia
    August 13, 2020
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Sade Abiodun

Sade Abiodun is a filmmaker of Nigerian and South African descent. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in Neuroscience, finding her passion for filmmaking later in her path. Her first short film — Godspeed — has received high praise, garnering over a dozen festival selections, several awards, and a finalist spot in the 2020 Sundance Ignite Short Film Challenge. She will be starting a PhD at Princeton University in the fall, focusing on neurocinematics - the neuroscience of film. She hopes to bridge the gap between the worlds of film and science, specifically through the study and practice of creating intentional, narrative-driven visual experiences.

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Director Statement

Godspeed began as an idea. Persistent, confusing, but simple in its beauty. To see it blossom into a project of this scale goes far beyond anything I could have initially imagined, but serves as a testament to the power of having others believe in your idea. Godspeed, like any 'first,' is intimate. It is challenging. It is a film that you will hopefully resonate with, emotionally and aesthetically. It is a piece of my heart, and for that, I thank you for letting me share it.