Screen favourites Desmond Elliot, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Patience Ozokwor
and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde have been named alongside renowned movie
director Tunde Kelani in a list of 32 of the most influential figures in
the Nigerian movie industry released by top entertainment news website
TheNETng ahead of the fourth edition of the Nigerian Entertainment
Conference (NECLive) holding on Wednesday 20 April, 2016.
Published for the fourth year running by the TheNETng, the list is based
on factors such as longevity, media following, output, awards and
popularity within the industry.
Tunde Kelani
Cinematographer, CEO Mainframe Films
Globally recognised as a leader of Nollywood, cinematographer Tunde
Kelani has seen stars come and go. He’s also made many stars and big
hits.
But what ensures longevity for him and his Mainframe studios, is a
rather rare connection with underdogs; a passion for inserting anonymous
characters into leading roles and changing their careers forever.
Plus, he brings fading cultural stories into the contemporary space,
making films out of independence era literature, and preferring to trade
in his native Yoruba.
Kunle Afolayan, himself a bonafide leader of the new school will tell
anyone who cares to listen, that Kelani is his mentor and master. He’s
not alone.
Emem Isong
Producer, scriptwriter
This Akwa Ibom-born movie producer is one of the most respected people
in Nollywood. Beginning her career in 1994, she has excelled in writing
and producing. With provoking and well thought-out plots, she has earned
her place in Nollywood as one of the best screen writers.
Isong holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the
University of Calabar and a diploma in computer science from the
Computer Science Institute (NCR).
She runs a film school, Royal Arts Academy, with which she has
discovered young actors who are now giving the established ones a run
for their money.
Richard Mofe Damijo
Actor
Currently on
vacation from politics, Richard Mofe-Damijo is working the phones,
hoping to get busy with Nollywood again. But he hasn't had to call much.
His number has not stopped ringing since he announced his return. Since
he discovered how to use Instagram. Since he decided to keep his beard.
The grandfather has been a sex symbol for almost three decades; a
charmer for even much longer. He's the actor other actors want to be
like; the brand corporate Nigeria want but can't have.
It'll take a while for anyone to come close.
Kunle Afolayan
Filmmaker/actor
Now on his fourth
film, Afolayan, the son of a film icon, is perhaps the most remarkable
name in Nigeria's contemporary film industry. While still struggling
with funds, he's succeeded where many have failed. And, as his local and
international awards will show, he's plotting a new path for an
industry stuck in an era that has passed. Like Kelani, he's choosy about
his stories, finicky about his actors, and ambitious with his projects.
If 'New Nollywood' was a thing, he'll be the one running the show.
Genevieve Nnaji
Actress
Genevieve does not
do as much public charity work as Omotola, her long time archrival. She
doesn't do as many movies as Mercy Johnson, Stephanie Okereke or
FunkeAkindele. But she is regarded globally as Nollywood's leading
female super star, with a brand apparently bigger than most of her
colleagues put together. Careful about her image, and almost snobbish
about associations, she's one of the few Nollywood actresses you may
never encounter face-to-face.
She spent 2015
repositioning as an executive, with the success of her debut film, Road
to Yesterday. It remains whether she will cross into waiting markets in
Europe and America. But it shouldn't matter, if she continues to have
nearly 20 million young Nigerians in her palms.
Ibinabo Fiberesima
Actress, AGN president
The Rivers
State-born actress is the first female to lead the Actors' Guild of
Nigeria (AGN). Ibinabo wields uncommon influence and power among
Nollywood practitioners. Having done very well being at the helm of
Actors Guild of Nigeria for four years, Ibinabo was re-elected AGN
president last year.
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Actress
Talented, charming
and graceful are perhaps the words that best describe
OmotolaJalade-Ekeinde, popularly known as 'Omo Sexy'. The Lagos-born
star, who hails from Ondo State, made her debut in Nollywood in 1995.
Since then, she has acted in about 200 movies and has endeared herself
to producers and marketers. Her star power has seen her snag numerous
endorsement deals and even a listing by Time Magazine as one of the 100
most influential people in the world, along with the likes of Michelle
Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.
Odunlade Adekola
Actor, producer and director
It is difficult to
mention any actor that is as popular as OdunladeAdekola in Nollywood
let alone a more prominent name in the Yoruba section of the movie
industry in Nigeria. So adored by lovers of Yoruba movies in Nigeria and
beyond is the tall actor and producer that the risk of exaggeration is
remote if one begins to pour the water of superlatives on him. To put it
as it is, OdunladeAdekola is the biggest Yoruba actor at the moment and
indeed the most prominent brand that section of Nollywood has had for a
while. The Glo ambassador is easily in the frontline when any
compilation of the list of those dictating the pace of the Yoruba movie
industry is compiled.
Dele Odule
Actor and TAMPPAN president
It's not for
nothing that he's appointed the president of the new guild of the new
Yoruba actors guild, Theatre and Motion Picture Practitioners of Nigeria
(TAMPPAN). The Ogun-state born actor has paid his dues. He came into
acting 30 years ago, under the supervision of the late MukailaAdebisi,
the manager of Oloko theatre group where he was trained. His artistic
career was influenced by the late Theatre Arts professional,Dele
Ogunsanya with whom he worked after his training. He made his debut in
between 1985 and 1986 coming into limelight in many movies, particularly
Ti Oluwa Ni Le produced in 1995.
Femi Adebayo
Actor/producer
Femi Adebayo, son
of legendary actor, Adebayo Salami popularly known as Oga Bello has gone
from living under the shadow of his father to carving a niche for
himself in the movie industry, especially in the Yoruba sect. The Jelili
actor began acting in 1995, the same year he featured in a TadeOgidan's
movie titled Owo Blow.
Femi, who won two
awards- 2015 ZAFAA and Afro-Heritage Broadcasting & Entertainment
Awards (AHBEA), two months ago, produced and featured in several hit
movies this year.
The lawyer-turned actor cum producer owns a movie academy name J-15 School of Dramatic Arts based in Ibadan.
Toyin Aimakhu
Actress/Producer
Toyin is one of the
highest paid Yoruba actresses on the continent. An interpreter of roles
whose talent is never in doubt, Toyin has garnered many fans over the
years with her acting skill and good look. She began acting in 2003,
when Bukky Wright, a Nigerian film actress, visited Ibadan to shoot a
movie. She's known for blockbuster movies like Alakada, Eta Oko, Iku
Doro among others. She's now built a solid image and following that put
her firmly in a position to lead the thousands of actors unsure of how
to play in a terribly fragmented ssytem.
Razak Abdullahi
CEO Corporate Pictures
He's one of the
people who call the shots in the Yoruba movie industry. He owns a
successful movie marketing outfit, Corporate Pictures and his company
has backed several blockbusters. Nearly all films from his stable have
won or been nominated for major film industry awards. A veteran by every
definition, he's not just a money man. Those who know him confirm he's
an ideas man, a deals broker, and passionate investor.
Muyiwa Ademola
Actor, producer and director
A talented actor
cum producer, MuyiwaAdemola is a favourite star and TV face of millions
of Nigerians. Any movie he features in is always a delight to watch due
to his touch of professionalism and diction. He is mostly known for Ile
(2009), IgiOwo (2007) and Orí (2004).
Desmond Elliot
Actor, producer, director
Elliot, who is now a
member of Lagos State House of Assembly, is one of the prominent actors
in Nollywood. Also a producer and director, the Lagos state born actor
has produced several blockbusters under his production company Denziot
Productions. He is involved in public relations projects for the
Nigerian telecoms giant, Globacom, and is said to be one of Nigeria
richest Nollywood actors, making his money from acting, directing,
endorsements and advertising.
Charles Novia
Filmmaker, Actor, Writer
He has been a
strong pillar in the Nollywood industry. Charles, who is popularly known
as Mr. November, has been a major force in both the movie and music
industry in Nigeria over the past 15 years, churning out lots of hit
movies such as The Bridesmaid, Real Love, Missing Angel, More Than
Sisters, You Broke My Heart, A Christmas Passion and recently Alan Poza.
Besides making good
movies, Charles Novia has also helped in discovering lots of A-list
stars in the movie and music industry. They include Desmond Elliot,
Grace Amah, Empress Njamah, Caroline EkanemDanjuma, among others.
He also helped in
re-engineering the careers of many artistes like Stella Damasus, Kate
Henshaw-Nuttal and a host of others, who he reintroduced to stardom
through his movies and November Records music label, which was home to
MajekFashek, whose last album Little Patience, was executively produced
by Charles Novia and sold over a million copies.
He hasn't done much
work in recent times, but he continues to be a powerful voice, using
his blog to shape thoughts and perspectives.
Patience Ozokwor
Actress
Patience Ozokwor
has perfected the art of playing the role of a villain especially the
wicked mother-in-law, so much so that many people (wrongly) assume that
that the characterisation mirrors her real life persona. The movie star,
who is from Enugu State, is also a singer, brand ambassador and
businesswoman with investments in real estate.
Emeka Mba
DG NBC
A former Regulatory
Affairs Manager at Multichoice Nigeria and Director General of the
Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mba is currently the
honcho of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission. Soft spokenMba's
popularity amongst broadcasting stakeholders has remained on the rise
with his digitisation project and the restructuring to ensure strict
adherence to NBC's rules and regulations. Under his administration, the
NBC celebrated its 20th anniversary with a showcase of landslide
achievements.
Lancelot Imasuen
Filmmaker
This Edo state-born
producer and director may well be reckoned as the first Nollywood
director to shoot a film in Hollywood, with a $200, 000 non-union budget
film titled, 'Friendly Enemy'. He has also done quite a number of
movies outside the country: Zero your mind - which was shot in Berlin,
Saving the Crown, Home and Abroad, Seed of seduction, Windstorm and
Adakhanva, which he did in his native language.
Lancelot is
referred to as a star director in Nollywood because of his ability of
getting the best out of any actor he works with on set and he has
received numerous awards for his excellence in his profession.
Chris Ihidero
Film producer, writer
With an
authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this movie producer has grown
into one of the most respected figures in modern Nollywood. Chris has
directed about 100 hours of television drama, including Fuji House of
Commotion, Tempest and Now we are Married.
He recently produced the 4th series of the ground-breaking HIV and behavioural change focused drama series, MTVShuga.
Protégé of revered
Nigerian filmmaker AmakaIgwe for 8 years, Chris was responsible for
managing the production services at AmakaIgwe Studios (AIS) including
training of creative professionals at the Centre for Excellence in Film
& Media Studies, the training arm of AIS.
He is the founder of True Nollywood Stories, and Pin Point Media.
Seun Oloketuyi
Journalist, Founder BON awards
A popular
entertainment Journalist, Seun Oloketuyi is the founder of Best of
Nollywood Awards (stylized as BON Awards), an annual awards ceremony
that has been honouring outstanding achievements in the Nigerian Movie
Industry.
Seun Oloketuyi is also the publisher of Best of Nollywood Magazine, a journal that focuses on happenings in Nollywood
Joke Silva
Actress
A Unilag graduate,
she has featured in over 300 Nigerian movies. She is most popular for
movies like Phone Swap, The Secret Laughter of Women and Last Wedding
and also as one of the Faculty members on the MTN Project Fame.
Joke Silva is
married to another equally influential actor Olu Jacobs. She teaches and
speaks regularly, owing to her passion for capacity building.
Peace Ayim Osigwe
AMAA Founder
The brain behind
arguably Africa's most recognized and respected awards for movie
practitioners on the continent, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe stands tall among
visionaries who have given their all to the growth and development of
the movie industry in Nigeria. Having run one of the biggest awards in
the movie industry for ten years now, Peace has rewarded, promoted and
built the industry in a remarkable way.
Dakore Egbuson
Actress
She went off the
scene when she newly got married, but she is now back to reclaim her
spot as one of the leading actresses in Nigeria. Dakore has appeared in
many classic movies, including recently released 'Fifty,' Caught In the
Middle, Lunch Time Heroes, Peace of Flesh among others. Some say she
(and her husband Lou, son of billionaire Harry Akande) may be silent
investors and backers in an industry that rarely attracts private sector
funding.
Jason Njoku
CEO iROKOtv
Jason ChukwumaNjoku
is a British-born Nigerian entrepreneur, film magnate and African
start-up investor. He is the founder and CEO of iROKOtv, one of the
early video-on-demand movie platforms for Nigerian movies
A self-proclaimed
serial entrepreneur, iROKOtv is Njoku's 11th attempt at starting a
business. He came up with the idea of launching a new distribution
platform for Nollywood whilst living at home with his mum, aged 30,
after a number of failed enterprises.
Saidi Balogun
Actor, director, Producer.
Saidi is a renowned
actor, director and producer, who has done remarkably well for himself
in the movie industry. He is presently the co-founder and the president
of The Movie Ambassador, a stakeholder group in Nigerian movie industry.
A prolific filmmaker with a career spanning over 20 years, Saidi's recent credits include EtiKeta and You or I.
Adebayo Salami
Actor/producer
A former president
of Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, Oga Bello, who
celebrated 50 years on stage last year, is one actor many young acts are
looking up to. His influences have no doubt rubbed off on his children,
with three (Femi, Sodiq and Tope) of them already well established in
the trade.
Jide Kosoko
Actor/producer
Lagos State born
actor, JideKosoko is an accomplished actor who has been able to cut
across the various movie groups and associations. A versatile actor with
a career spanning over four decades, Kosoko's influence became
unquestionable after he emerged the president of the Association of
Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners and led the association for eight
years.
Andy Amenechi
Film Director
The bearded six
foot tall prolific movie director hails from Ilah in Delta state,
Nigeria. A 1982 graduate of Mass Communication from the University of
Nigeria, Andy as Amenechi is simply called is reputed to be one of the
hottest and busiest movie directors on the Nigerian home video scene. He
trained in advertising, marketing and advanced television and film
production both in Nigeria and abroad.
A long standing
member of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and the Director
Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Amenechi, is the directing force behind some of
the sectors enduring offerings like Rituals, Narrow Escape, Oracle,
Blood of the Orphan, Time Bomb, Lord of the Mountain, Deep Love, Egg of
Life, and the epic movie Igodo which he co directed with Don Pedro
Obaseki.
Gabriel Okoye
CEO G Media, movie producer
Gabriel OnyiyechiOkoye, popularly known as IgweGabosky, is one of the most respected in the Nigerian home video industry.
Over the years,
Okoye has worked himself into becoming one of the top stakeholders in
the Nigerian movie industry, having produced many blockbuster movies and
helping champion the cause for a better movie industry.
He is a recipient
of various awards both in the country and outside. Notedly, many actors
and actresses in Nigeria today owe a debt of gratitude to him for
bringing them into limelight.
He now runs G-media, using new thinking to power distribution, with support from Bank of Industry.
Akeem Olatunji Balogun
CEO Olasco Films
Known for
bankrolling many blockbuster movies which include FunkeAkindele's
flicks, Jenifa, Return of Jenifa and Omo Ghetto 1 & 2, this popular
movie marketer, wields appreciable influence in the movie industry which
is why many refer to him as the godfathers of the movie marketing
business.
John Ugbe
Ugbe is leader at DSTV
Administrator and MD of Multichoice
Ugbe has been
managing director at Multichoice for over four years, overseeing a deep
involvement between the South African giant and Nigeria's Nollywood. The
result is more Nollywoodcentred programming, a successful annual
awards, and a commendable investment in production.
He holds a masters degree from the University of Liverpool.
Kene Mkparu
KeneMkparu is giving Nigeria more cinema screens by the day
Owner of Filmhouse Cinemas
Mr. Mkparu wants to give Nigeria50 cinema outlets by the end of this year. What's not to love about that?
He's secured the funding, he's put systems in place, and he;s now rolling out strategically.
With over 20 years
experience in business management and cinema operations management in
different parts of the world, pundits say he's the man for the job
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