Inside 'Code Red': Fiyin Gambo's Futuristic Short and the Drama of Apple Vision Pro
- Sahndra Fon Dufe
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
By Sahndra Fon Dufe | Black Film Wire | June 2025
I’ve never had to adjust my scarf for a film before — but here we are. On Juneteenth morning, I make my way to USC’s Ganek Immersive Studio for a private showing of Code Red, a seven-minute immersive short organized by the film’s director, Fiyin Gambo. I show up in full Erykah Badu mode, only to be met by the futuristic gaze of the Apple Vision Pro. Let’s just say, calibration is... a process. My excitement is palpable, and rightly so.
But once the headset locked in, I was no longer just a viewer. Directed by Nigerian filmmaker Fiyin Gambo, and Produced by Hydeia Muhammad— Code Red is a tightly executed, genre-bending seven-minute short about a pregnant hairstylist and her misfit salon crew staging a courthouse breakout — armed with nothing but their beauty tools, boldness, and breathtaking protective styles.
From the first beat, I find myself flinching, ducking, and silently begging not to be mistaken for a character. One courtroom moment places me so close to the judge I nearly whisper, “Your Honor, respectfully — can I get a recess?” The immersion isn’t just visual — it is emotional.
Aya Washington’s performance as Elena anchors the piece — she’s sharp, layered, and captivating. Damia Gordon, Shannon Shae Marie, Luke Mero, Morgan Smith and Nelly Flores round out the crew with comedic timing and grounded energy that made the wildest scenes feel surprisingly real.
But what makes Code Red more than a film is its technical ambition. You’re not watching from the sidelines — you are the camera. There are no
traditional close-ups, no cutaways, just one long, lived-in shot. The actors had to adapt to this new language, approaching the material more like a live theatrical performance.
In a post-screening conversation, Fiyin shares that the project took around three months to complete, having been greenlit by USC Ganek Immersive Lab after a competitive pitch process. Initially imagined as a gritty action thriller in the vein of Sicario, the story was retooled into a high-concept comedy due to the demands of immersive filming. “Comedy gives you room to experiment,” he says, “and keeps the camera movement minimal — which is crucial in VR because excessive motion can cause nausea.”
According to Gambo, each take was essentially a stage performance — uninterrupted, 180-degree shots where every actor had to be “on” throughout. No hiding in the background. “We did VR 101 with the whole cast,” he laughs. “You can’t slack off — the camera sees everything.”
The idea for the courthouse setting came from his time as a background actor on a friend’s project. “I looked around and thought, this could be the perfect setting for a different kind of heist,” he explains. And from that moment, Code Red was born — equal parts grit and whimsy, layered with cultural cues and inventive cinematography.
Let’s be real- we’re not surprised.
Fiyin Gambo is no stranger to innovation—or to spotlighting Black stories with cinematic ambition. The Nigerian-born filmmaker has been directing since his teens, earning recognition for films like Pursuit (2019), The Blood Covenant (2022), and Kiitan’s Transit (2024), with credits on streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Showmax. Notably, he co-directed The Wait (2021), a Nollywood faith-based drama that debuted theatrically in 2021 So why am I not surprised by Code Red’s technical boldness and emotional clarity? Because from gripping Lagos-set thrillers to immersive VR shorts, Gambo has consistently shown he can marry genre, tech, and soul in ways both thrilling and unpredictable.
Starring: Aya Washington, Damia Gordon, Shannon Shae Marie, Luke Mero, Nelly Flores, Morgan Wallace Smith, and more.
Produced by: USC Ganek Immersive Studio
Written & Directed by: Fiyin Gambo
More Info: VentureBeat Announcement
Code Red is among Five standout Live Action VR entries showcased as part of USC’s forward-looking immersive storytelling program.
Created under the banner of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts’ Ganek Immersive Studio — a leading research hub pushing the boundaries of immersive worldbuilding — Code Red is one of just seven standout VR experiences selected for this year’s showcase. Alongside Code Red, the program featured titles like Elevator, A Larger Living Space, Performance Improvement Plan- each expanding what’s possible when cinematic storytelling collides with emerging tech. Together, they reflect a new wave of sensory-rich storytelling. Gambo’s contribution, rooted in both urgency and humor, positions him as a formidable voice at the intersection of Black narratives and immersive innovation. See full list of selected projects here.
What Makes This Film So Urgent
Code Red is less of a short film and more of a prototype for what’s possible when film meets futurism. It’s movie magic reimagined in 180 degrees. And if the next version includes that flying bullet, I tease Fiyin — “the gun’s gonna pass you” — I might just leave my wrap at home.
Around the world, immersive storytelling is redefining what cinema can feel like. Major studios are already experimenting with VR and hybrid experiences — from The Matrix Awakens in Unreal Engine 5 to Disney’s work with ILMxLAB on Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge. And don’t forget Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which used IMAX 70mm to immerse audiences in time-bending physics. As the African film and television market continues its rapid expansion — projected to reach over $20 billion by 2030 — innovation in storytelling formats is becoming just as vital as narrative excellence. Fiyin’s work is relevant, not just as a curiosity, but as a signal of how African creators can leapfrog into the future.
And he’s not alone. Nigerian talents like Bolanle Austen-Peters and Kenya’s Jim Chuchu have dipped into experimental forms, while South African XR artists like Tegan Bristow and Francois Knoetze are actively exploring virtuality and Afrofuturism. Even tech-based training programs like Africa No Filter and the Electric South XR grant are grooming the next gen of storytellers. Gambo is an important part of that wave — a bold thinker making it clear: the future of African cinema won’t just be watched. It’ll be felt. We’re rooting for him.
Final Word
Watch Gambo’s movies on Netflix
'Film meets Futurism' amazing 👏🏽👏🏽