Up next on our Creator Spotlight Series is Samba Diop, aka @sambafilms, an artist and filmmaker who combines his interest in culture and cinematography through videos on TikTok. He approaches visual storytelling through the lens of powerful imagery, messages and emotions, and he has worked with brands like Netflix, Nike, and Google. We sat down with Samba to find out more about him, his content, and how he's celebrating #BlackTikTok.


@tiktoknewsroom Check out @sambafilms ♬ original sound - TikTok Newsroom

What does it mean to you to be part of the Black community?

For me, it means a sense of pride, social responsibility and an opportunity to inspire people to be their truest self. Telling the stories of those that are underrepresented and overlooked, while pushing boundaries and expectations of what we can and cannot do.


How has the TikTok community inspired you?

TikTok has inspired me to try new things and be more innovative. In a fast-paced society centered around social media, staying relevant or trending is usually the number one goal. However, TikTok gave me the freedom to try new things and also share my messages with the world, all at my own pace. Creating art that can be comprehended regardless of age, language and background is my main focus, and TikTok lets me do this at scale.


What are some of your passions on and off TikTok?

I love filming and traveling to new places. I also enjoy playing and watching sports. I played soccer in college, so staying active has always been a huge priority for me.


How would you like to grow in entertainment? What do you see as your career trajectory on and off of TikTok?

On TikTok, my goal is to change the way people view storytelling. I like to share different perspectives and stories in a way that is immersive and innovative, while inspiring my community to be open to new ideas, experimenting, and creating art. Outside of TikTok, I enjoy writing and directing films. My first short film will be released early next year and I have more in the works. I would also love to build a team of artists and content creators within my production company.


Is there anything you want your audience to know about you?

I didn’t go to film school or have an extensive family background in film. I want people to know that if they look like me and are from the places I’ve been to, they can still be in artistic fields. It’s all about learning and being interested in art. Don’t feel like there’s a barrier — I’m just one year removed from anyone getting a camera for the first time.