Niyi Akinmolayan
Niyi Akinmolayan (ⓘ) is a Nigerian filmmaker and director[1] and one of Nollywood’s most successful hitmakers. Five of his films rank in the top 50 highest grossing Nigerian films: The Wedding Party 2 (2017) Chief Daddy (2018), Prophetess (2021), My Village People (2021), and The Set Up (2019). He is also the founder and Creative Director of Anthill Studios, a media production facility. In January 2022, Anthill Studios signed a multi-year deal with Amazon Prime Video to become the exclusive global streaming home for Anthill’s slate of cinema releases following their theatrical runs in Nigeria.[2]
Niyi Akinmolayan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 November 1982 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Education | Engineering, Yaba College of Technology |
| Alma mater | Yaba College of Technology |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Notable work | Chief Daddy Prophetess The Wedding Party 2 |
| Spouse | Victoria Akujobi |
| Website | http://www.niyiakinmolayan.com |
Early life
Akinmolayan was born on 3 November 1982.[3] He is from Ondo State, South West Nigeria and is of Yoruba descent. He began a degree in engineering at the Yaba College of Technology.[4]
Early career
At the start of his professional career, Akinmolayan worked as a graphic designer, website designer, and apprentice to Nollywood filmmakers. During that time, he began to hone his skills in video editing, animations, after effects and visual effects.[4]
His debut film titled Kajola, released in 2010, was an experiment in visual effects,[5] but was panned by filmmakers and critics alike.[6]
Akinmolayan set up his production company, Anthill Productions, in 2008, which provided the visual effects for the movie Kajola.[5][7]
Later career
In 2014, he directed the Nigerian dance movie Make a Move which starred Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfery, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong. The movie was nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie (Drama).[8]
In 2015, Akinmolayan also directed the movies Falling featuring Adesua Etomi, Desmond Elliot and Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Out of Luck which featured Linda Ejiofor, Tope Tedela and Jide Kosoko. The film went on to earn Akinmolayan a nomination for Best Director at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and lead actress Adesua Etomi won the award for Best Actress at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
In December 2016, Akinmolayan released a short film titled PlayThing, a 3D animated movie, which premiered at the FilmOne IMAX cinema in Lagos, to rave reviews.[9]
In 2017, his movie The Arbitration featuring O.C Ukeje and Adesua Etomi was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.[10] Following the film's success, Akinmolayan began a competition on his blog for prospective writers, receiving over 300 entries, which led to the production of the short film Room 315.[11]
In 2017, due to the successful reception of Plaything, Akinmolayan produced an animated series in collaboration with Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, titled Adventures of Lola and Chuchu.[12] In 2019, Akinmolayan executive produced Malika: Warrior Queen, a Nigerian animated film based on the graphic novel from Roye Okupe, writer and CEO of YouNeek Studios.[13]
Filmography
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Major cast | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kajola | Keira Hewatch, Desmond Elliot, Adonijah Owiriwa | Director | Feature film |
| 2014 | Make a Move | Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfery, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong | Director | Feature film nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie (Drama) |
| 2015 | Falling | Adesua Etomi, Desmond Elliot and Blossom Chukwujekwu | Director | Feature Film |
| 2016 | Plaything | Executive producer | 3D animated short film | |
| 2017 | The Arbitration | OC Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle and Somkele Iyamah | Director | Feature film, available on Netflix |
| 2017 | The Wedding Party 2 | Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Patience Ozokwor, Enyinna Nwigwe | Director | Feature film |
| 2017 | Adventures of Lola and Chuchu | Director | 3D animated series - 13 episodes | |
| 2018 | Chief Daddy | Taiwo Obileye, Joke Silva, Rachel Oniga and Funke Akindele | Director | Feature film |
| We Don't Live Here Anymore | Osas Ighodaro, Omotunde Adebowale David, Francis Sule, Temidayo Akinboro, Funlola Aofiyebi, Katherine Obiang | Editor | ||
| 2019 | The Set Up | Adesua Etomi, Kehinde Bankole, Joke Silva, Jim Iyke, Dakore Egbuson, Tina Mba | Director | Feature film |
| 2019 | Elevator Baby | Toyin Abraham, Timini Egbuson, Yemi Solade, Sambasa Nzeribe, Broda Shaggi | Executive producer | Feature film |
| 2021 | Prophetess[7] | Toyin Abraham, Kehinde Bankole, Stan Nze, Waliu Fagbemi, Deyemi Okanlawon | Director
Writer |
|
| Progressive Tailors Club | Beverly Osu, Uzor Arukwe, Funnybone, and Blessing Jessica Obasi | Producer | ||
| Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke | Producer |
References
- "Movie director, Akinmolayan wants marketing firms to take on Nollywood films". Vanguard News. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- Grater, Tom (7 January 2022). "Amazon Prime Video Inks Licensing Deal With Nigerian Production Company Anthill Studios". Deadline. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- Entrepreneurs.ng (23 February 2020). "Niyi Akinmolayan - Biography, Awards And Early Career Of A Cineaste". Entrepreneurs.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - Anazia, Daniel (19 March 2016). "From kajola to make a move, Akinmolayan breathes out of luck". Guardian Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- Pedro, Uche (29 June 2010). "So 2059! Nigerian Cinema goes Sci-Fi as futuristic movie KAJOLA gets set to premiere in July". BellaNaija. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- Alero, Otuama (8 August 2010). "Cinemas pull the plug on Kajola". Nigeriang.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- Ekechukwu, Ferdinand (3 April 2021). "Niyi Akinmolayan's Mighty Prophetess". This Day. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- "AMVCA winners announced". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- Orubo, Daniel (4 April 2017). "Watch 'Plaything' – The Best Animated Nigerian Film We've Ever Seen". Konibi. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- Kaura, Istifanus (11 November 2017). "These Nigerian Directors Are Winning At The Film Africa Festival". Konibi. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- Orubo, Daniel (11 March 2016). "Lights, Camera, Action: Niyi Akinmolayan On Set For 'Room 315'". Channels Television. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- Izuzu, Chimduga (30 September 2017). "Watch episode 1 of Nigerian animated series". PulseNG. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Adesua Ewatomi As Warrior Queen In Animated Movie: Malika". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2022.