Dalton Okolo’s journey in media and film inspires local creatives
Dalton Okolo, the creative force behind 1108 Media and a key organiser of the Fredericksburg Film Festival, offers a refreshing and inspiring perspective for aspiring entrepreneurs and artists. His story is rooted in diverse cultural influences and a passion for storytelling.
Dalton’s background shows how cultural roots can fuel creative ambition. His Irish Nigerian heritage according to him both have “pretty deep storytelling roots”. He recalls the lively discussions about Nollywood films (Nigerian film industry) at his Nigerian grandmother’s house.
This early exposure instilled a belief in the validity of personal critique and the power of dialogue around art. His Irish mother, a proponent of independent films, further nurtured his creative spirit, encouraging him to be his own storyteller, which motivated him to iterate and improve his craft.
These early influences laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to media production. Dalton’s journey from Radford University, where he first dipped his toes into narrative production, to having his work featured in The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun, and then as a creative producer at Freddie Mac, highlights a consistent drive to understand and master the craft.
Building a business
In 2021, Dalton took the leap into independent production when starting his company, 1108 Media. His mission was to provide his clients with “an inclusive and efficient experience that keeps their vision at the forefront while facilitating the necessary aspects of media production.”
For new entrepreneurs, he encourages learning from others, “either mimic their workflows or improve upon their workflows.” He emphasizes the importance of finding inspiration in others and not closing yourself off from collaboration.
When it comes to securing partnerships, Dalton prefers transparency, he stresses the importance of openness, ensuring both producer and client understand the scope and resources available. His experience at Freddie Mac taught him that clear and consistent communication cultivates trust, especially with large scale projects.
Dalton believes serving his community and listening to his community’s needs are crucial for identifying opportunities and building meaningful collaborations.
Democratizing filmmaking
One of the most exciting trends for Dalton is the democratization of media. The affordability of high-fidelity filmmaking equipment means “the price for entry has gotten so much lower.” This accessibility empowers a wider range of storytellers, regardless of socioeconomic background, to explore and share their unique narratives.
This, in turn, allows him to test out new equipment and keeps his workflows malleable. Dalton hopes that this shift will have a direct impact on the Fredericksburg Film Festival, which took place from April 16–20, 2025, to continue “shining a light on underexposed artists.”
The goal is to reach filmmakers who have not had their voices heard, both locally and internationally, and to foster a community of artists. For those eager to break into the independent film industry, Dalton offers pragmatic advice: “if you feel it, chase it.”
While film festivals offer valuable networking opportunities, he cautions against deriving self-worth from festival acceptance, as it can sometimes be “a politics game.” He recommends FilmFreeway.com as a comprehensive platform for festival applications.
Dalton is currently focused on three key areas: building out 1108 Media to provide quality media assets at affordable costs, continuing his impactful work with the Fredericksburg Arts Commission through gallery spotlights, and to begin filming an eight-part episodic short-film titled “Virginia is for Lovers.”
This project, which secured its funding through crowdfunding platform Seed&Spark, will start filming in August 2025, and will be shot entirely in Fredericksburg with features from local talent and iconic locations.
Author
Sarah Artin is a business consultant and creative located in the DC/Maryland/ Virgina region. She writes on topics that highlight economic development, travel, the arts community, and motherhood.
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