Miawoé zɔ.
Welcome to Zama, a land of magic and mystique.


Their daughter is the most sought after bride in a generation.
Yes, for her beauty.
Yes, for her power.
But most importantly...
for her favor.

No one knows why Mami Wata chose the Pekis those many moons ago,
But rest assured,
If she chooses you...

No power on Earth can break it.
African stories deserve the spotlight.
If you've read this far, we know you agree.
We're making a short film.
Peki House Haunting takes place somewhere like present day Ghana in some time like an ideal non-colonial past.
It is a story of homecoming. It is about reaching back to find what has been lost to time and discovering not only who you are, but who you come from in the process.
YOU can bring this story to life.
Ahead of our public facing crowdfunding campaign, we are seeking private investors to help us ensure that we are able to film on location in Ghana.
Honoring the spirit of homecoming with this project will allow us to both invest in the creative film community in Ghana and capture the elusive authenticity that only the motherland and its people can bring.
This is your chance to get in on the ground floor and be a foundational building block of the success and authenticity of this project.


LOGLINE: In some place like Ghana in an ideal non-colonial past, a rebellious bride must agree to wed after unwittingly suffering defeat at the hands of her future husband in a masked amateur fight club.


ESINAM
20s, the eminent and wildly sought after Daughter-Son of House Peki. Future ruler of Zama. She inhabits both her societal power and feminine wiles effortlessly. She'll do what is expected of her, but she'll do it her way.
ELORM
20s, the proud, charming son of House Ayi. Esinam's suitor. He's mischievous and enjoys a challenge but has a sincere heart. He is determined to win over his future wife.
Meet the Team

EMMA VAN LARE
writer • creator • producer
EMMA VAN LARE is a first generation Ghanaian-American actor and writer. Recent performer credits include Law & Order (NBC) and the 6x Tony-nominated Ain't No Mo'.
She was a finalist in the 2021 MACRO x The Black List Feature Screenwriter Incubator and was an inaugural recipient of the 2021 Free The Arts Shay Fellowship for writing. She is also a co-creator and producer of The Drama Offstage, a video podcast archiving our Black theater legends in the present.
As a storyteller, she uses her unique perspective as a person of two cultures to orient her work. She is interested in exploring the lost histories of Black people in an effort to expand the Black imagination and by extension, our Afro future.
She holds a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin and an MFA in Acting from The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
emmavanlare.com | @lifeas_emmashika

ELIZABETH VALENTI
producer
ELIZABETH VALENTI (she/her) is a producer, actor, and writer. She is currently in post-production for her short film Puppy Love, in which she stars, co-wrote, and produced. She also produced the short film See This, starring Rachel Hilson, which will make its debut next year. Her producer debut for Hit Friends played at festivals around the country, and you can see Chauncey, another short she produced, at Dances with Films NY this December! You can see her on Minx (Starz) and The Conners (ABC). BFA: Boston University.
elizabethvalenti.com | @elizabeth_valenti

KOBINA DE GRAFT–JOHNSON
producer
KOBINA DE GRAFT–JOHNSON is a visionary leader with an unwavering passion for creating a catalogue of 100 films that shape the narrative of Ghanaian culture. As the Founder, CEO, and Director of Photography at Anibok Studios, Kobina is leading the way in innovative ways of filming and collaboration.
Born in Tema, Ghana, Kobina's interest in film was sparked during a pivotal moment on a film set. His entrepreneurial approach to creativity involves not only creating content but also understanding the business of art to create a sustainable venture while creating opportunities for other creatives. Kobina's body of work extends from Ghana to New York, where his short films showcase African culture through a contemporary lens.
As a supporter of women's empowerment and the deaf and blind community, Kobina's work has clients including Vogue España, Brussels Airlines, Centric TV, Bronx Net Television, and many more. With a favorite memory of filming backstage at the 2016 BET Awards, Kobina continues to turn his dreams into films. Kobina’s last project Season 2 of Makeup x Breakup where he was the Director of Photography will stream later this year on Allblack Network.
anibokstudios.com | @anibokstudios