The Nigerian film industry, often known as Nollywood, has emerged as a global powerhouse in film production. It is doing more than prospering.
Since trailblazers like Amaka Igwe established a strong female presence behind the camera, opportunities for female directors and filmmakers have expanded threefold as a result of the industry’s massive expansion.
It is only fitting that we highlight some of the most important female directors who have not only established themselves but also contributed significantly to the growth and advancement of the Nigerian film industry.
Jade Osiberu
Without a doubt, Osiberu is one of the most gifted and imaginative directors working in Nigerian film today. She has established a reputation in the entertainment sector thanks to her outstanding writing and production abilities.
While working at Ndani TV, she developed her directing abilities by contributing to seasons of the television shows “Gidi Up,” “Rumor Has It,” and “The Juice.”
She is most recognized for her roles in the films Isoken (2017), Sugar Rush (2019), Brotherhood (2022), and Gangs of Lagos (2023), the first Nigerian original film to be exclusively streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
Following the mainly positive reviews for “Gangs of Lagos,” audiences are eager to witness Osiberu’s next move.
Funke Akindele
“Battle On Buka Street” and “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” are two films by Funke Akindele, a filmmaker, director, actor, politician, and producer. She became the first Nigerian director to earn more over N500 million at the local box office twice.
In July 2019, Akindele debuted Aiyetoro Town, a spinoff of her popular TV show Jenifa’s Diary. In addition, in 2019, she released the political drama film “Your Excellency,” her directing debut. She currently directs the Jenifa Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides job training to young people.
For her work on Jenifa’s Diary, the actress has received numerous honors, including Best Actress (comedy) at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice honors, Best Actress in a Comedy Role at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, and Best TV Series at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Kemi Adetiba
Kemi Adetiba, the creator and CEO of Kemi Adetiba Visuals, is a filmmaker, television director, and music video director whose work has aired on Channel O, MTV Base, Sound City TV, BET, and Netflix.
Her short film ‘Across a Bloodied Ocean’ was shown at the Pan African Film Festival and the National Black Arts Festival in 2009.
Kemi Adetiba is recognized for his work on the films King of Boys (2018), King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021), and The Wedding Party (2016).
On September 8, 2016, she made her directorial debut with the presentation of ‘The Wedding Party’ at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as the opening film of the City-to-City Spotlight.
In 2018, she published her most well-known work of art, ‘King of Boys,’ featuring veteran actress Sola Sobowale in the lead role, which was named one of the top ten movies of the year.
Mildred Okwo
Mildred Okwo, a producer and director is well-known for her outstanding contributions to the country’s film industry.
When she filmed “30 Days,” her debut movie, in 2005, it garnered nine nominations for African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), and was well-reviewed by critics, swiftly making her a major player in the entertainment sector.
She directed the romantic comedy-drama film “The Meeting” in 2012, which received numerous accolades, including the Nigeria Entertainment Honours (AMAA) and Nollywood Movies Awards, and topped the box office among Nollywood films in the country.
Her other directorial works include the 2016 box office smash ‘Suru L’ere,’ which won multiple honors at the African International Film Festival and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice honors.
She will direct the highly anticipated ‘La Femme Anjola,’ starring Nollywood stars Rita Dominic and Nonso Bassey, in 2020.
Her films have received numerous accolades both locally and internationally. She was nominated for Best Director at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards and was named one of Elle Magazine’s “50 Women Shaping Africa” in 2016.
She is also a founding member of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee, which selects the Nigerian film that will represent the country at the Academy Awards.
Okwo has recently appeared in a number of documentaries and interviews, including a BBC program about female film directors in Nigeria.
She is also a founding member of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee, which selects the Nigerian film that will represent the country at the Academy Awards.
Okwo has recently appeared in a number of documentaries and interviews, including a BBC program about female film directors in Nigeria.
Mo Abudu
Mo Abudu founded her own television network, EbonyLife TV (ELTV), in 2006, and it now broadcasts in 49 countries across Africa, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. Notable TV drama programs she has produced include Desperate Housewives Africa, The Governor, On the Real, Sons of the Caliphate, and Castle & Castle.
In 2014, she launched her company’s film division, EbonyLife Films, and debuted her first feature, Fifty, as executive producer. She is also the executive producer of her own show, Moments with Mo, a daily chat show that has called her the ‘Nigerian Winfrey.’
Globally, she is best known for her Netflix film Oloture, which was released in 2020. Oloture is a strong art-nouveau film shot in Lagos that focuses on the country’s human trafficking crisis.
She has also written and produced several films, including The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Blood Sisters, and Going for Broke.
Tope Oshin
Temitope Oshin is a talented filmmaker who has a knack for creating compelling narratives that come to life on the big screen. Her directing abilities are unsurpassed, and she has established herself as one of the most talented directors.
She specialized in film directing at the Colorado Film School of the Community College of Aurora, Denver, before moving on to direct episodes of some of Africa’s largest drama series, notably ‘MTV Naija Shuga’, ‘Tinsel’, ‘Hotel Majestic’, and ‘Hush’.
Oshin has also directed some of the most successful films in Nigeria’s film industry. ‘New Horizons,’ ‘Journey To Self,’ ‘Up North,’ and ‘New Money’ are among her directing credits.
Her directorial abilities have been recognized by some of the industry’s top names, and she has emerged as a role model for budding filmmakers. There is little doubt that Oshin will continue to make her mark in the film industry because of her enthusiasm and dedication to her job.
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