Sallin Pelli

Three friends, Baako, Daana, and Limpu, discover a mysterious orb while working on a farm. This discovery leads to a dispute over how much the orb is worth and who gets the money. Daana turns violent to take the orb for himself, making the situation worse. As they try to conceal their misdeeds and escape their village, an unexpected twist reveals the lethal repercussions of their greed. The orb silently watches the unpredictable fate of those who seek its riches.

  • Numanu Yakubu Andani
    Director
  • Numanu Yakubu Andani
    Writer
  • Mohammed Ibrahim
    Writer
  • Mohammed Muhideen Shamsu
    Writer
  • Numanu Yakubu Andani
    Producer
  • Mohammed Ibrahim
    Producer
  • Mohammed Ibrahim Ibrahim
    Key Cast
    "Limpu"
  • Mohammed Haadi Siiba
    Key Cast
    "Baako"
  • Musah Gadafi Damba
    Key Cast
    "Danaa"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Salim Pielli
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 25, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Ghana
  • Country of Filming:
    Ghana
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.4:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Numanu Yakubu Andani

Growing up in Ghana, I attended High School in Tamale. However, my life took a significant turn in 2009 during my second year of high school when I participated in an exchange program in Columbus, Ohio. It was during this transformative experience that I discovered my passion for filmmaking. My host brother, who was studying film, introduced me to a field that was entirely unfamiliar to me. In Tamale, filmmaking was seen as foreign, with no production houses, cinemas, or film schools, making it an unlikely career choice for a young person like me. Watching my host brother practice his craft ignited a passion in me for filmmaking. This newfound enthusiasm led me to immerse myself in online filmmaking tutorials and courses.

Upon returning to Ghana in 2010, I continued to nurture my filmmaking skills online, despite my parents' wishes for me to pursue nursing. Nevertheless, I completed my training at the Tamale Nurses' and Midwives' Training College, subsequently serving as a general nurse at the Tamale Teaching Hospital from 2019 to 2022. During my time there, I attended to over 200 patients in the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) department, refining my ability to work under pressure and deliver exceptional patient care.

In 2022, fueled by my unwavering passion for filmmaking, I made the bold decision to pursue it full-time. I founded Studio 23 in 2018, a video production house in Tamale, where I have since spearheaded numerous projects, including music videos, documentary films, TV series, short films, and event coverage. With expertise in cinematic and DSLR cameras, I have delivered works in various resolutions, showcasing my versatility and creativity.

Beyond filmmaking, I am deeply committed to community development. As the Vice-President and Creative Director of Northern Voices Ghana (NVG), a youth empowerment organization I co-founded, I have led initiatives aimed at driving social change in Northern Ghana. Leveraging my organizational and leadership skills, I have successfully executed multiple community projects and attended workshops locally and internationally.

Inspired by the African proverb, "Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter," I strive to empower youth within my community to tell their own stories through filmmaking. By providing them with platforms, tools, and skills necessary for storytelling. I aim to amplify their voices and ensure their narratives are heard and celebrated.

My journey exemplifies resilience, creativity, and a dedication to making a positive impact in my community through both healthcare and filmmaking endeavors.

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Director Statement

“Sallin Pelli” delves into the darker facets of human nature, exploring how greed and the lust for wealth can unravel even the closest of bonds. As a first-time short film director, I wanted to create a narrative that reflects the unpredictable and often ironic outcomes of our deepest desires, even in events of unknown possible outcomes.

In this film, the orb symbolizes the allure of sudden wealth and serves as a silent witness to human folly. The journey of Baako, Daana, and Limpu is a cautionary tale about the consequences of letting material desires overshadow moral integrity. My aim was to craft a suspenseful and emotionally charged experience that keeps viewers on edge while provoking thought about the true cost of wealth and the unpredictable nature of fate.

I chose to shoot this short film in my native dialect of Dagbani for two compelling reasons. First and foremost, my goal as a filmmaker is to empower the youth from my region to narrate their stories in their own authentic voices. By doing so, we give a platform to perspectives that are often overlooked. Secondly, Dagbani possesses a poetic resonance that makes communication in it profoundly expressive and beautiful. I want the entire world to experience and appreciate the richness of this African language, which has its own unique rhythm and depth.

Towards the end of the film, we see that the orb the friends are willing to die for, believing it to be of immense value, is the same object children regard as a mere plaything to toss around. This stark contrast embodies the proverb, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," highlighting how value is often a matter of perspective.

Through "Sallin Pelli," I hope to engage the audience with a gripping story and leave them questioning the value of the mysterious orb. Is this orb worth millions, or is it just another useless stone? Funny enough, even as the writer and director, I don’t know. But I do know it’s not worth the lives it claims. I hope this short film and its potential continuation will teach viewers the same.