Dakar woke to an air of excitement on December 13, 2023, as the Dakar Court International Film Festival prepared to showcase a milestone moment: the premiere of Gabriel Moses’ short film, All Day I Dream About Sports. The project, brought to life in collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Adidas, was not just a film but a love letter to the city—a vibrant tribute to its rhythms, its people, and its indomitable spirit.
Moses spoke passionately about his vision for the film, emphasizing the deep connection he sought to establish with Dakar: “When Pharrell and myself first began conceptualising the film, I had never visited Senegal or Dakar before. He already had a history with it, and great love for it, but for me it was a new territory I was entering. It was essential for me to tell this story in a way that felt both authentic and deeply personal. To achieve that, I had to immerse myself in the city—live in it, meet its people, and experience its rhythm. It was crucial to capture the city’s essence, not just through my lens, but through the pulse of the people and their stories.”
From the rowers gliding across the Atlantic waters to the children practicing taekwondo with focused determination, the film captures a tapestry of lives, infused with authenticity and Moses’ hallmark attention to detail. For Moses, sports were the perfect metaphor to tell the story of Dakar. “Whether you play professionally or not, life itself is a sport,” he explained. “It comes with wins and losses, and it’s a constant journey of overcoming obstacles and competing with ourselves to be better every day. This philosophy is at the heart of the film—it’s about showing that everyone is an athlete in their own way, whether they’re a rower, a martial artist, or simply navigating life. These moments might be commonplace in Dakar, but they are extraordinary on a global stage.”
A Collaborative Celebration of Dakar
The premiere day began at École Kourtrajmé, where Moses led a masterclass for emerging filmmakers. Sitting in a room with 15 young storytellers, Moses opened up about his creative process and the importance of collaboration.
“Filmmaking is always about people,” he said. “My role as a director is to create the framework, but it’s the people—whether they’re actors, crew members, or locals—who bring it to life. While working in Dakar, I met so many incredible individuals whose authenticity added a layer of depth to the film. Some of them gave such powerful performances that I was left in awe after certain scenes.”
This ethos extended to every aspect of the production. Moses took inspiration from African cinema legend Ousmane Sembène, whose humility and confidence left a mark on him. “Sembène described filmmaking as both a simple and spiritual process,” Moses recalled. “In Dakar, I saw those same qualities in the people I worked with. This film became a space for them to shine, and their contributions will leave a lasting impact—not just on the project but on Dakar’s arts scene as a whole.”
The masterclass was followed by a cocktail reception at Espace Trames, where creatives from across the city gathered to celebrate Dakar’s growing reputation as a global hub for art and culture. Under the glow of string lights, conversations flowed about the intersection of sports, art, and identity—ideas that Moses sees as central to shifting global narratives about African youth.
“For African youth especially, sports and art are powerful tools of expression,” Moses said. “They allow us to reclaim our narratives, showcase our talents, and spark conversations about identity and resilience on a global scale.”
A Film Rooted in Heritage
For Moses, whose Nigerian heritage has shaped much of his storytelling, creating All Day I Dream About Sports was also a way to honor his roots. “I was born in South London, but my Nigerian heritage was always a central part of my upbringing,” he shared. “My mom, who moved to London at 18, made sure I knew where I came from. She would show me old family photos of my grandparents and their lives back home. Those images were my first introduction to the beauty of African identity.”
This deep appreciation for his roots shaped the way Moses approached storytelling in Dakar, allowing him to weave a narrative that felt both universal and specific. “When I picked up a camera for the first time, I felt this pull to recreate the emotions those family photos gave me—the texture, the movement, the feeling of connection. This film is my way of capturing that, of letting the people and the city shine naturally.”
A Global Stage for Dakar
When the audience finally sat for the screening, the room was silent with anticipation. Scene after scene unfolded like a love letter to Dakar: its streets alive with the laughter of children, its athletes training with quiet determination, its people moving to a rhythm that felt uniquely their own. The applause that followed was thunderous—a celebration not just of the film, but of the city itself.
For Moses, the journey was as significant as the final product. “The work ethic of everyone involved was inspiring. Within hours, I realized this group was motivated to create something extraordinary,” he said. “Each person gave their all, and their contributions made the experience feel like more than just filmmaking—it was a collaborative celebration of Dakar’s spirit.”
As the film prepares for its global release in 2025, it stands as a testament to Dakar’s growing influence in the creative world. Through Moses’ lens, the city’s essence has been immortalized—a story that resonates globally yet belongs, first and foremost, to Dakar.