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An Interview with Emmanuel Kabongo: Sway, Collaboration, and Moving the Industry Forward

Emmanuel Kabongo at the Feb 6 Premiere at Cineplex at Yonge and Dundas
Emmanuel Kabongo at the Feb 6 Premiere at Cineplex at Yonge and Dundas


Reelworld: Sway has had an impressive journey. Can you take us back to how the project first began?

Emmanuel Kabongo: Like most films, it started with the script. I had a long-standing relationship with the writer, Charlie, who ended up co-directing the film with Zach Remelan. Before we went to camera, Charlie and I had a real conversation about trust and collaboration. We had known each other for years, and he believed in my work as an actor. We agreed that I would produce and he would direct, and that became the foundation of the project.


Reelworld: The film was originally titled Spiral. What led to the change?

Kabongo: We discovered there was already another film titled Spiral, including one that had screened in Toronto. We didn’t want any confusion, so we changed the title in post-production. Sway felt fresh. It felt right.


Reelworld: You’ve spoken often about collaboration. How did that shape the production?

Kabongo: I never wanted to do this alone. I reached out to actor friends and producer partners who brought skills I didn’t have. This industry is about collaboration. Everyone brings something different to the table. We also had a very tight schedule, so we ended up shooting the film in six days based on actor availability.


Reelworld: The film had a strong festival run. What did that journey look like?

Kabongo: We launched at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles while also screening at the Toronto Black Film Festival in 2024. From there, the film travelled extensively. We screened in Nigeria, Charlotte, Albany, and had official selections at the Montreal Black Film Festival, Halifax Black Film Festival, Vancouver Black Film Festival, and closed the year at the Whistler Film Festival.


Reelworld: After festivals, you shifted into distribution. What did you learn during that process?

Kabongo: As a producer, my job was to find the right distribution partners. Around that time, I was accepted into the Canadian Film Centre’s Producers Lab. The mentors there really helped me understand how to negotiate better deals. I applied those lessons and secured U.S. distribution with Breaking Glass Pictures and Canadian distribution with Raven Banner.


Reelworld: The Canadian release was timed for Black History Month. Why was that important?

Kabongo: Most of our cast and crew are people of colour, so it felt intentional to release during Black History Month. Interestingly, the release landed on February 6, the same day we released our teaser two years earlier. That wasn’t planned. It was one of those moments that reminds you that you can make plans, but sometimes things unfold differently.


Reelworld: You’re a longtime member of the Reelworld community. How has that relationship shaped your career?

Kabongo: Reelworld has been incredibly important to me. My short film A Man’s Story won an Impact Award there, and later I received the Reelworld Trailblazer Award. I was deeply honoured. I haven’t taken that recognition lightly. It motivates me to keep pushing forward and to help others coming up behind me.


Reelworld: What responsibility do you feel as a Trailblazer?

Kabongo: I think it’s important to give opportunities to others, whether they’re just entering the industry or still trying to gain experience. We’re not here forever. What we leave behind should be meaningful. Not just entertaining, but impactful and inspiring.


Reelworld: What advice would you give to emerging filmmakers?

Kabongo: You’re not an island. You can’t do this alone. Ask for help. Seek mentors. Some people will believe in your story and some won’t, and that’s okay. Don’t worry about what you can’t control. Rejection is information. If a door closes, move on. Stay prepared, because preparation is what allows you to meet opportunity when it comes.


Reelworld: You’re known for your sharp sense of style. Why is presentation important to you?

Kabongo: First impressions matter, but what matters most is what’s inside. What you carry internally shows up externally. I learned how to dress from my mother, and I love colour because I also paint. Fashion can catch attention, but character is what stays with people.


Reelworld: As Sway reaches audiences, what do you hope viewers take away?

Kabongo: I hope they feel something real. And beyond the film, I hope the work contributes to moving the industry forward and opening doors for others.


 
 
 

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