A new IGTV series unearths the comedic voices of writer/performers Betiel Beyin and Leigh Lule. The four-part comedy series, Lil CEEBS, was filmed in Melbourne’s West and follows the story of Zion and Ruby, as they put their friendship to the test in search of a tolerable, easily replaceable friend – who’s willing to be the third wheel.
The mini-series aims to showcase the importance of friendships when it comes to identity, acceptance and belonging. Through Zion and Ruby’s blind optimism, absurdity and self-sabotage, Lil CEEBS spreads joy and plenty of second-hand embarrassment.
“We want to make a show about two young black girls from the West-side, who are unapologetically themselves,” says Beyin.
“We are interested in exploring a friendship that is strange and beautiful and questionable in the best way possible,” says Lule.
Creators Beyin and Lule met as part of a Western Edge Youth Art theatre program and since then have been creating work with Western Edge, Phoenix Youth Centre and Malthouse Theatre. Beyin and Lule both have a significant creative voice on this project as writers, actors and directors.
“Directing yourself is really challenging. It’s hard seeing things from a constructive lens when you’re the subject. Having Leigh by my side, Co-directing ‘Lil CEEBS definitely helped me. Being writing partners, our process when it came to directing was similar; we made decisions as a unit,” says Beyin.
The project engages talented creatives from around Melbourne including filmmaker Ez Eldin Deng as cinematographer and actor/musician Yaw Dadzie as Jonathan, Ruby and Zion’s would-be third friend.
“It was incredible to be back on set again; the warmth and energy of the cast and crew was contagious. We spent so much of 2020 developing the CEEBS concept, and it’s great to finally be releasing a little sneak-peek into this world,” says Lule.
Lil CEEBS is supported by Signal Arts, a creative arts studio for young people. The series consists of four bite-sized episodes to be released via Signal’s Instagram account every week in the month of May 2021.
Producers Amie Batalibasi (Dir. MUSTANGS FC, THALU) and Nikki Tran (FRESH!, GIRL INTERPRETED) are working with Beyin and Lule to develop Lil CEEBS into a larger web series project.
WATCH Lil CEEBS episodes on Instagram via @signalarts
Follow the CEEBS project for behind the scenes insights: @ceebsproject