The Corner Shop Welcomes Writer and Director Akwasi Poku

BAFTA and EMMY winning company The Corner Shop welcomes Akwasi Poku to the global roster. Akwasi Poku is a writer and director based in South London, having directed commercials for the likes of FIFA, Apple and Netflix.

A former creative at W&K London and MAL, Akwasi’s experience combines a deep understanding of commercial advertising and branded content, with his storytelling ability to capture contemporary stories that entertain, engage and reflect culture.

His first short film, 'LOCK OFF', supported by WE ARE PARABLE, had its theatrical release across 70 Odeon Cinemas in July 2021 garnering a number of international film festival selections including Aesthetica Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Soul Fest & BBC Comedy Festival.

Akwasi’s most recent short film, 'The Therapist' was launched earlier this year at London's Curzon Hoxton with Minute Shorts and stars actors Ash Barba (Top Boy) Brett Curtis (The Nevers) and Priscilla Fagbemi (Champion), examines mental health of young black men in the safety of a local barber store. The film and photography exhibition will be screened by We Present at Outernet next month.

Akwasi was also mentored by Charlie Brooker’s team on Season 6 of Black Mirror episode ‘Joan is Awful’, starring Salma Hayek. Alongside commercials and music videos, Akwasi is currently developing a number of projects across Film, TV & Art spaces.

The Corner Shop founder Anna Hashmi says, ‘Akwasi is an exciting filmmaker, with a strong and distinctive voice as a director across advertising, short films and content. He reflects the world around him, from an authentic perspective, that brings you into contemporary life - and makes you think, and can make you laugh too. Style and content. He knows how to tell a great story’.