Stephen Sawyerr’s new short film began by trying to uncover “pockets of West African diaspora in New York”, and seeking out stories that he could tell with his camera. Himself of half Sierra Leonean heritage, Stephen and his producer, Jahir Strong, spent a long summer in Harlem, especially its Little Senegal district. After meeting various people, one person in particular stood out to Stephen: sensei Diéo, a woman who co-led a karate dojo out of a local Senegalese community centre. From this encounter, Stephen created the short film, How Can Not!, a striking and playful meditation on the significance of community, organised sport and perseverance.