The Ink Life, directed by Yemi Adegbulu, won the 2023 New Shoots: Filmmakers Awards. Judge Penny Woolcock commented:

“A beautifully shot documentary, the three black tattoo artists and their delighted clients clearly trusted the filmmaker. An important reminder that white skin is just an imaginary norm, this film made its antiracist point clearly and confidently. And now I want a tattoo!“

As the New Shoots: Filmmakers Awards winner, Yemi received a Nikon Z 9 – Nikon’s flagship powerhouse in the Z range, featuring a mirrorless system capable of shooting up to 8k or 120fps. Yemi has been thrilled with it, saying:

“As a doc filmmaker, the Nikon Z 9 is a game-changer for me. I’m particularly in awe of the advanced autofocus features – subtle moments of emotion are tack-sharp and the clarity and smoothness is SO good. Also completely love how compatible it is for a wide range of lenses, whether I’m doing more cinematic setups or grabbing observational.”

Yemi’s film follows three different Black British tattoo artists, exploring the significance of tattooing and the artistry behind it within Black British culture. Below is a look at The Ink Life.

How did The Ink Life start?

The Ink Life was commissioned in 2022 as part of ITV’s Fresh Cuts series for Black History Month.

Fresh Cuts is an ITV initiative designed to support and showcase emerging diverse talent in the UK television industry. It reflects ITV’s ongoing commitment to increasing representation both on and off-screen, particularly from underrepresented communities. Each year, the scheme broadcasts a series of films and documentaries, highlighting fresh perspectives and stories that might otherwise go unnoticed by mainstream audiences.

Want to get your documentary commissioned? Check out SP’s Funding and Support Directory.

How did The Ink Life get ‘out there’? How was it shared with audiences?

The Ink Life premiered at BAFTA in 2022 and was later broadcast nationwide, reaching over 300,000 viewers. It is now available to watch on ITVX. Unlike many short documentaries that are primarily distributed through film festivals, The Ink Life took a different route, being commissioned specifically for TV.

Shooting People’s New Shoots: Filmmakers Awards welcomes all types of short films, which is why The Ink Life was submitted for the 2023 awards—and won!

Interested in entering the New Shoots Filmmakers Awards 2024? The deadline is the end of September, so submit your film soon!

Yemi’s Bio

Yemi is a British-Nigerian producer with experience in both feature and short films. She collaborates with the production company Sleepwalker, where she is currently producing ‘Root’ in partnership with Dark Pictures. Yemi is in post-production as an associate producer on ‘Dreamers,’ a BBC Films and Quiddity Films production. Yemi joined this film, which marks Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s directorial debut, through the prestigious BBC Films Associate Producer Programme.

Yemi’s recent credits include: ‘The Memory Boom’ (documentary, producer) – commissioned by Phoenix Exeter, National Lottery Heritage, and the Radcliffe Trust. ‘Goodbye Train’ (short film, producer) – commissioned by the Roundhouse, Wiggin Filmmaker Award winner, programmed for the British Urban Film Festival 2024. ‘The Ink Life’ (short documentary, director and producer) – commissioned via Fresh Cuts by ITV, premiered at BAFTA, broadcast nationally, and winner of the New Shoots: Filmmakers Award 2023. See Yemi’s profile on Shooting People here.

Watch The Ink Life on Shooting People via the New Shoots: Filmmakers Awards