Festival of Slaps: The Pillow Fight

Writer & Performer

Intent

Festival of Slaps explores the complexity of mother and son relationships within Black communities. I wanted to honour the discipline, love and sacrifice that often shape young men long before they understand it.

Exploration

Invited by director Abdou Cisse to contribute to the campaign surrounding the BIFA Award-winning film, I developed a spoken word piece that connected the emotional core of the story to a poetic reflection on maternal love and accountability.

Expression

I wrote and performed the piece, layering tenderness with realism to capture the tension between correction and care. The work sat alongside beautifully cut visuals of the film’s protagonists, grounding the campaign in emotion rather than spectacle.

Outcome

The spoken word film strengthened the campaign’s emotional resonance and helped extend the film’s message beyond the screen, reminding audiences of the formative power of maternal love in shaping identity and resilience.

Year: 2023