Private Project

The Call

Caleb is enjoying a quiet evening at home when he receives an unsettling call from an unknown
number. The voice on the other end seems to know everything about him, narrating his actions in
real time. As the call grows more sinister, Caleb’s panic escalates – he checks his security cameras
and sees a shadowy figure lurking outside. Desperate to escape, he finds himself trapped in a
terrifying situation. Just when it seems like the nightmare is over, Caleb wakes up, only to discover
that reality and nightmare have blurred. His phone buzzes again, “UNKNOWN NUMBER,” and
this time, when he checks his security feed, the shadowy figure is standing over him. The terror
has only just begun.

  • Timothy Manasara Joseph
    Director
    The Suspect
  • Godwin Uwadilachi Uche
    Writer
    The Suspect
  • Timothy Manasara Joseph
    Producer
    The Suspect
  • Godwin Uwadilachi Uche
    Key Cast
    "Caleb"
  • David N/A Ikani
    Key Cast
    "The Voice"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 14, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    800 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Nigeria
  • Country of Filming:
    Nigeria
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Capitol Film Festival
    Fedaral Capital Territory
    Nigeria
    December 14, 2024
    Capital Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Timothy Manasara Joseph

Timothy Manasara Joseph is an Abuja-based filmmaker, video producer, and creative director whose work blends technical expertise with a commitment to socially impactful storytelling.

A visual storyteller at heart, he serves as Creative Director at Khuba Media Solutions and Studio Manager at ReadyToLeadAfrica, managing projects from concept to completion.

In his directorial debut, The Suspect, he co-produced, directed, and edited an impactful tribute to the Lekki Toll Gate massacre. His passion for compelling narratives positions him as a valuable contributor to the film community.

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Director Statement

Every project I take on is an opportunity to level up, to test my limits, and to explore new ways to tell a story. The Call was exactly that. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and create something that wasn’t just thrilling but deeply unsettling. Something that keeps the audience on edge, questioning what’s real and what isn’t.

This film was a personal challenge. How do you build fear without relying on the usual tricks? How do you make people feel trapped alongside the character, make them scan the screen for threats, make them hold their breath without realizing it? I focused on tension over terror, on what you don’t see being just as scary as what you do.

At its core, The Call is about fear that doesn’t let go. It’s about the illusion of safety, how quickly control can slip through your fingers. Caleb does everything right, he locks his doors, checks his cameras, but the horror doesn’t care. Because sometimes, fear follows you. Even when you wake up.

For me, this film isn’t just another project. It’s a step forward. It’s proof that I can push myself, refine my craft, and raise the bar. And if it makes you uneasy, if you find yourself thinking about it long after it’s over, then I know I did what I set out to do.