Filmmaker Olayinka
Hassan – who is currently a screenwriting and directing graduate student at Columbia College
Chicago, and who will be graduating next month – is currently in the process of completing her
film The Antidote of Life.

The film deals with a successful, overworked mother who “learns that, without her family’s love and support, money
holds no value, as she rebuilds her relationship with her child and aunt.” It was inspired by the fact that, as Ms. Hassan herself says, “women, especially Black women can
be heroes too,“ and that she “was tired of seeing films that mainly focus
on the men being the hero.“

She went on to say that: ”I
wanted to write and direct a film for African-Americans to see and know that
there is hope within the world of filmmaking that shows that we as human
shouldn’t take life for granted and to appreciate your blessings because
tomorrow is never promised. And, just because one may acquire a nice amount of
wealth, money can’t buy happiness or family love and support.“

As for Ms Hassan’s background, it is very impressive. Born
in the U.S. to a Nigerian family, her graduate degree from Columbia College
will in fact be her second graduate degree, since she also has a Bachelor’s
and a Master’s degree in analytical and microwave chemistry. But she turned towards filmmaking because she wanted
to make a difference for the younger generations, to see that there is hope in
the African-American community.

But to complete her film, Ms. Hassan has started an Indiegogo
campaign to raise $5,000 in the next 39
days. To find out more, you can go to the Indiegogo site HERE, as well as the
film’s Facebook page HERE.