Niyi Akinmolayan () is a Nigerian filmmaker and director[1] Known for his work in both blockbuster and independent films, He directed The Wedding Party 2 (2017) Chief Daddy (2018), Prophetess (2021), My Village People (2021), and The Set Up (2019). He is the founder of Anthill Studios, a media production facility. In January 2022, Anthill Studios signed an agreement with Amazon Prime Video to stream Anthill's films globally following their theatrical releases 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 |
Early life
editAkinmolayan was born on 3 November 1982. 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.[3]
Career
editAt the beginning of his career, Akinmolayan worked as a graphic designer, website designer, and apprentice to Nollywood filmmakers, where he developed skills in video editing, animation, after effects, and visual effects.[3] His debut film, Kajola, released in 2010,[4] was an experiment in visual effects but was met with negative reviews from filmmakers and critics.[5]
Akinmolayan set up his production company, Anthill Productions, in 2008, which provided the visual effects for the movie Kajola.[4][6]
In 2014, he directed the Nigerian dance movie Make a Move which starred Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfrey, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong. The movie was nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie (Drama).[7] 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.[8]
In 2017, his movie The Arbitration featuring O.C Ukeje and Adesua Etomi was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.[9] 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.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12]
Filmography
editSelected 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 | Feature film | |
| 2019 | The Set Up | Adesua Etomi, Kehinde Bankole, Joke Silva, Jim Iyke, Dakore Egbuson, Tina Mba | Director | Feature film |
| Elevator Baby | Toyin Abraham, Timini Egbuson, Yemi Solade, Sambasa Nzeribe, Broda Shaggi | Executive producer | Feature film | |
| 2021 | Prophetess[6] | Toyin Abraham, Kehinde Bankole, Stan Nze, Waliu Fagbemi, Deyemi Okanlawon | Director, writer | Sports comedy film |
| Progressive Tailors Club | Beverly Osu, Uzor Arukwe, Funnybone, and Blessing Jessica Obasi | Producer | Satirical film | |
| 2023 | Mikolo | Pamilerin Ayodeji, Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga, Yvonne Jegede, Ayo Mogaji, Daniel Etim Effiong, Femi Adebayo | Director and screenwriter | Family fantasy adventure film |
| 2024 | Lisabi: The Uprising | Lateef Adedimeji, Adebimpe Oyebade, Ibrahim Chatta, Jide Awobona, Eniola Ajao , and Odunlade Adekola. | Director | Historical drama film |
References
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ a b Anazia, Daniel (19 March 2016). "From kajola to make a move, Akinmolayan breathes out of luck". Guardian Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b 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. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Kaura, Istifanus (11 November 2017). "These Nigerian Directors Are Winning At The Film Africa Festival". Konibi. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. 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.