Amidst a dark tide...they dare to dream.
When Naval bulldozers raze his beachfront community, a teenage surfer
channels his fight into a surfing competition that could be his only way out.
Synopsis
This social-impact sports documentary is set in the vibrant coastal community of Tarkwa Bay, Nigeria, where teenage surfer Abraham finds his dreams at odds with reality. Mentored by local legend Godpower, Abraham overcomes his fear of the ocean to embrace a newfound passion for surfing.
But when naval bulldozers suddenly destroy their island homes, his dreams are left hanging in the balance. Refusing to be defeated, Abraham returns with his father’s support to pursue a competition that could take him beyond the only home he’s ever known.
Official Film Posters
Trailer
Director's Statement
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Beyond Tarkwa Bay is a deeply personal project, born from my desire to amplify the voices of young Nigerian athletes who place their hopes for a better life in their abilities. The talent and passion are typically present, but they often lack solid mentorship, investment, and modern facilities, which hinder their ability to compete with their peers globally. Eventually, they resign themselves to menial jobs to get by, despite all that potential.
Building on the success of our previous award-winning documentary, Boys On The Brink, this project was made possible through deep community trust and exclusive access. We navigated the complex bureaucracy of the Nigerian Surfing Federation and the Nigerian Navy to secure us filming in a conflict zone, ensuring we could tell this story from the inside out, not as observers, but as partners with the Tarkwa Bay community.
This story showcases the resilience of a community often overlooked, where surfing symbolises freedom despite systemic barriers. This film is a testament to the power of the Nigerian youth, the strength of mentorship, and the unyielding spirit of Tarkwa Bay. I hope it inspires audiences to pursue their dreams, regardless of the odds.
- PETER OKE
The Movement: Beyond The Documentary
What began as a personal passion has evolved into a national movement. It started when local surf legend Godpower Pekipuma, along with John Micheletti and other surf enthusiasts in Lagos, Nigeria, introduced the youth of Tarkwa Bay to surfing, offering a pathway to greater purpose.
To formalize this vision, John Micheletti co-founded the Nigeria Surfing Federation, dedicated to securing resources and opportunities for these teens to "surf their way" to a better future. Under the leadership of Federation President Prince Adewale Fawe, the organization has been officially recognized by the National Olympic Committee.
This recognition has opened doors previously unimaginable, allowing Tarkwa Bay’s top talent to compete internationally. The ultimate goal is clear: The Olympics.
Beyond Tarkwa Bay is produced in direct collaboration with the Federation, which serves as an integral partner in the storytelling process. Therefore, this film is beyond a documentation of struggle, but a platform for their Olympic dreams.
Why Now?
THE OLYMPIC MOMENT
History is about to be made. The Youth Olympic Games will be held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026, marking the first Olympic event ever on African soil. As a result, the spotlight is now on West Africa. Surfing has evolved from a mere pastime for the youth of Tarkwa Bay into a legitimate path for national representation, as it has been designated a major "engagement sport" in the program aimed at promoting youth involvement. This documentary is set in Nigeria's only known surfing site, which has the potential to produce Nigeria’s first Olympic surf team.
This is not a retrospective. The Nigerian Surfing Federation is building. The evictions are ongoing. The road to the Olympics is happening. This film captures a lightning-in-a-bottle moment where sports, politics, and youth culture collide.
REFRAMING DISPLACEMENT
In a global moment defined by forced migration, the visual language of displacement is too often reduced to images of despair and dependency. Beyond Tarkwa Bay disrupts this trope. When the state seized their land, the Tarkwa Bay youth took to the ocean.
The film offers a radical new framework for resilience by juxtaposing the attempted erasure of a community with the fluid mastery of surfing. It moves beyond the narrative of 'refugees' to present a story of 'pioneers', proving that while territory can be confiscated, the human spirit remains sovereign.
Core Production Team
DIRECTOR / PRODUCER
PETER OKE is a Nigerian filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist currently based in Toronto, Canada. With over seven years of experience in directing, producing, and cinematography, Peter’s work is defined by a deep commitment to socially impactful narratives and the exploration of African identity in the diaspora.
He creates from a distinct vantage point, holding a background in Psychology that informs his empathetic approach to character-driven storytelling. This lens enables him to navigate complex social landscapes with nuance, as evident in his award-winning feature documentary, Boys on the Brink, which won the Best Documentary Feature award at both the Political Film Festival and the International Gold Festival (USA).
Currently a graduate student at OCAD University, Peter is expanding the boundaries of non-fiction storytelling through his thesis on Africanfuturism and Virtual Reality. His latest film, Beyond Tarkwa Bay, continues his exploration of resilience, capturing the vibrant surf culture of Lagos against the backdrop of displacement.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / CO-PRODUCER
RUME ONOSODE is a development consultant and filmmaker focused on social impact. She founded The Earth Alternative in 2021, a creative platform that connects Nigerians to life-changing opportunities. She also produced and co-directed the acclaimed documentary Boys on the Brink, an official selection of the 2022 Capri–Hollywood International Film Festival and the opening film of the 2023 iREP International Documentary Film Festival.
The film has continued to create measurable impact through private support and partnerships with organizations, including the Ishk Tolaram Centre and The Special Foundation Nigeria. In 2024, Rume began developing Beyond Tarkwa Bay, an impact documentary produced in partnership with the Nigerian Surfing Federation and Aella Microfinance Bank, following young Nigerian surfers striving to succeed against significant odds.
She is based in Lagos, Nigeria, and currently leads business development for a media production company and an African job-creation startup.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
MICHAEL OKORO is a seasoned cinematographer and editor with a sharp focus on documentary and branded content. With a background as the Main Cinematographer at Blush & Slate Film Company (Nigeria), he has mastered the art of visual storytelling, seamlessly blending technical precision in lighting and lens selection with emotive post-production editing.
A frequent collaborator with Peter Oke and Rume Onosode, his portfolio includes the award-winning documentary Boys on the Brink, as well as corporate narratives for Nigerian Machine Tools and the Caverton Journey.
SCORE COMPOSER
SIJI OLUNUGA is a captivating composer specializing in the art of minimalism. His craft was honed through work with the Nelson and District Arts Council in British Columbia and has since expanded into a diverse filmography. His musical journey, which has traversed the scenic landscapes of Nelson, BC, and the vibrant culture of Lagos, allows him to bring a distinctive, cross-cultural texture to his scores.
Siji’s portfolio spans feature films, television, and documentaries. His credits include the feature film Baby Maker (Prime Video) and the hit TV series Phases and Love Like This for Ndani TV. Also a frequent collaborator with director Peter Oke, Siji previously scored the award-winning documentary Boys on the Brink. For Beyond Tarkwa Bay, he employs his signature evocative simplicity to capture the resilience of the surfing community.
ANIMATION ILLUSTRATOR
SETONJI HOTONU is a multidisciplinary 3D Artist & Animator. Bridging fine art and digital world-building, he brings a versatile skill set shaped by years of industry experience. Known for his work in speculative African architecture, including popular assets for the city-building simulator Cities: Skylines, he combines technical precision with a deep commitment to cultural authenticity.
Driven by a passion for visual storytelling, his focus is on bringing the narratives of African urbanism to life through immersive digital art.
Contact Us!
INSTAGRAM: @BeyondTarkwaBay
EMAIL: beyondthebaydoc@gmail.com
YOUTUBE: BeyondTarkwaBay
Link to trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL3Mxbm62M4
Thank you!
This documentary was produced by FORCADOS MEDIA STUDIOS & THE EARTH ALTERNATIVE, in partnership with AELLA MICROFINANCE BANK.
