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Drug kingpins with no conscience, ready to eliminate anyone who stands in their way. Undercover men and criminals with guns blazing, facing off in deadly combat, ready to shoot to kill.  Put them all together and you have a perfect setting for an action packed movie with all the elements of a great action movie: suspense, action and drama.

Indeed, Sector Zero has it all. It’s an action movie about the seamier side of Africa, bringing to life, the underworld, the gritty streets and dangerous neighborhoods of Africa, a world ruled by macho, ruthless criminals and gangsters who are ready to shoot to kill in defense of their turf.

This action packed movie is coming straight out of Nollywood with an international cast made up of Africans and African Americans. Perhaps more importantly, most of the action takes place in the tropical ambiance of Africa with a storyline that features male and female crime busters on a mission to stop ruthless drug lords and dangerous assassins who defy law and order in everything they do and have the firepower to fight back and kill with no remorse.

It’s about greed and corruption in high places, good guys against bad guys, beautiful women, slick dudes who use every trick in the book to do their work. Trained to shoot with deadly precision, the crime busters face the challenge of fighting criminals who are just as determined, dangerous and ready to kill. It’s nonstop action, all the way, from the beginning to the end. And it’s all made in Africa with the distinct African flava that has made Nollywood movies popular around the world.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Nigeria born screen writer and actor Silas Sealmikky and his colleague Banji, talented filmmaker and director had no idea what to expect when they used social media to promote and publicize the trailer of SECTOR ZERO,  an action movie based on a script that explores the theme of family intrigue, crime and punishment with contemporary Africa as the backdrop. Lacking the funds to finance the entire movie, they had pulled their resources together to finance the trailer. It was the initial step to be followed by other production related activities, focusing mainly on raising and accessing funding sources. Reaction to the trailer on social media was ‘ very positive’ according to Silas and Banji, an indication of the potential of the movie and gave them reason to further explore the possibility of launching a full production of the movie.

 CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR AFRICANS AND AMERICANS TO COLLABORATE ON A WIDER SCALE

Enter Lena Shockley, an African American and Ghana born Kofi Quaye, both US based producers currently working on movie projects with plans to shoot segments on location in Africa. Considering the idea of collaboration in certain production areas, they had the good fortune of connecting with Nigerian born actor and scriptwriter Silas Sealmikky who took on a role that gave him him the responsibility of coordinating all production related matters on their behalf in Africa. He would also act in both movies and handle  casting and talent recruitment. Along with it came the decision to work with Silas, Banji and their production crew on their own movie project, SECTOR ZERO. What began as an attempt by two US based producers to expedite the production process in Africa gave birth to the notion of a collaboration on a wider scale that would ultimately involve African American actors and production crews working with their African counterparts. Currently, three movie projects are in various stages of production. Lena Shockley’s COMING TO AFRICA Comedy Movie and Kofi Quaye’s movie are casting for acting talent in Nigeria and Ghana with plans for filming in both countries. SECTOR ZERO is in full production mode.

SECTOR ZERO HAS POTENTIAL: SILAS AND BANJI  CALL FOR MORE PARTICIPATION FROM THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

African Americans and African actors and producers working together is not an entirely new concept. A few Hollywood productions have tried that approach, but not on a consistent basis. What is unique about this particular production is the fact that it involves US based producers and actors and their African counterparts whose motivation derives from the idea of sharing resources,  and interacting with each other in a setting that would make it possible for them to learn from each other and produce more movies using the same collaborative model.. They are proud to be part of a collaboration that has the potential to have a widespread impact both in Africa and the United States. Silas envisages global distribution of the movie when it is released, using streaming sources in addition to theater screenings in both the United States and Africa

“I’m really excited about the work with Lena and Kofi and their willingness to work with us with our own production. That will help us a long way. We really need that kind of help,” said Silas. Banji shares that sentiment.

SECTOR ZERO IS THE REAL DEAL; GET INVOLVED

Those who have viewed the trailer of Sector Zero say it captures the essence of an action movie and has the potential to make a huge impact in the movie industry. The acting, the direction and the imagery combine to create a fast paced story line with twists and turns that will keep the audience in suspense till the very end. The action is non stop along with plenty of suspense and drama.

NEED MORE AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACTORS AND PRODUCTION EXPERTISE AND INVESTORS TO JOIN AND MAKE IT HAPPEN

For Quaye and Shockley, it provides the opportunity to work with African talent, right there on location in Nigeria and Ghana. It came as no surprise to both that the possibility of collaboration on a broader scale became part of the discussion. It’s been part of the strategy all along.

“There’s great potential in what Silas and Banji are doing with their colleagues. They can be the Tyler Perry of Africa, and I want to be part of it. This collaborative approach of African Americans and Africans working together is the ideal thing to do. I’m proud to be part of it,” said Kofi Quaye.

Silas gives credit to various colleagues who have have become involved and are played different roles in the production.. They are  Banji Oyemaja, Sharon Lynn,  Bamo Fule, Frederick Coleman, John J. Green Flowers, Jamie O Wilson, Lena Shockley. Kofi Quaye..