Atlanta-based filmmaker and Hartford native Rafia Ansari debuted her short film House of Terror at the Urban Film Festival in Miami on Saturday, marking the world premiere of a project that has been nearly a decade in the making.
The film screened at Silver Spot Cinemas in downtown Miami. Inspired by Nollywood, House of Terror explores the issue of baby factories in Nigeria and highlights the power of prayer. Ansari wrote, directed, acted in and produced the film.
“I do not believe in the word can’t,” Ansari said. “It was instilled in me as a child by my great-grandmother, Ella Little Cromwell. She always said, ‘You can do anything you put your mind to.’”
Ansari began developing the project in 2017 after moving to Atlanta in 2013 to pursue a career in film. Two earlier attempts to complete the film stalled, but in 2024 she connected with Josh Broaden, a video engineer for the Wall Street Journal and a filmmaker. With Broaden as director of photography, House of Terrorwrapped production in September 2024.
Her inspiration for the project dates back to childhood. Cromwell frequently traveled to Africa and returned with artifacts and stories, which sparked Ansari’s interest. She also participated in African dance programs and cultural activities in her hometown of Hartford. A high school assignment led her to research Nigeria, where she first learned about baby factories and sex trafficking — subjects that became central to her film.
House of Terror is currently on the festival circuit. Ansari said she has additional screenplays in development and is working on her next production through her company Write on Rafia, which she founded in 2020.