Niyi Akinmolayan

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Niyi Akinmolayan
Born (1982-11-03) November 3, 1982 (age 39)
OccupationFilmmaker, Media Consultant
Years active2010–present
Spouse(s)Victoria Akujobi
Websitewww.niyiakinmolayan.com

Niyi Akinmolayan is a Nigerian film-maker, director and media consultant. He is best known for directing the highest grossing Nigerian film of all time, The Wedding Party 2, which starred Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi and Enyinna Nwigwe; it was a sequel to the equally successful film The Wedding Party (2016).[1] He is the founder and Creative Director of Anthill Productions, a media production facility.

Early life[]

Akinmolayan is from Ondo State, South West Nigeria and is of Yoruba descent. He began a degree in engineering at the Yaba College of Technology,[2]

Early career[]

At the start of his professional career, Akinmolayan worked as a graphic designer, website designer, and as an apprentice to Nollywood filmmakers, during this time, he began to hone his skills in video editing, animations, after effects and visual effects.[2]

His debut film titled Kajola, released in 2010, was an experiment in visual effects,[3] but was panned by film makers and critics alike.[4] Akinmolayan had set up his production company, Anthill Productions in 2008, which provided the visual effects for the movie Kajola.[3][5]

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).[6]

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 for her role in Falling.

In December 2016, Akinmolayan released a short film titled PlayThing a 3D animated movie, which was premiered at the FilmOne IMAX cinema in Lagos to rave reviews.[7]

In 2017, his movie The Arbitration featuring O.C Ukeje and Adesua Etomi was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.[8] Following the success of The Arbitration, Akinmolayan began a competition on his blog for prospective writers, receiving over 300 entries, it led to the production of the short film Room 315.[9]

In 2017, due to the successful reception of Plaything, Akinmolayan produced an animated series in collaboration with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, titled "Adventures of Lola and Chuchu".[10]

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, , 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 , 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, , Sambasa Nzeribe, Broda Shaggi Executive Producer Feature Film
2021 Prophetess[5] 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

References[]

  1. ^ Animashaun, Damilola (2018-01-23). "'The Wedding Party 2' Is Now The Highest-Grossing Nollywood Film Ever". Konbini Nigeria. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  2. ^ a b Anazia, Daniel (2016-03-19). "From kajola to make a move, Akinmolayan breathes out of luck". Guardian Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  3. ^ a b Pedro, Uche (2010-06-29). "So 2059! Nigerian Cinema goes Sci-Fi as futuristic movie KAJOLA gets set to premiere in July". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  4. ^ Alero, Otuama (2010-08-08). "Cinemas pull the plug on Kajola". Nigeriang.com. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  5. ^ a b Ekechukwu, Ferdinand (2021-04-03). "Niyi Akinmolayan's Mighty Prophetess". This Day. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  6. ^ "AMVCA winners announced". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  7. ^ Orubo, Daniel (2017-04-04). "Watch 'Plaything' – The Best Animated Nigerian Film We've Ever Seen". Konibi. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  8. ^ Kaura, Istifanus (2017-11-11). "These Nigerian Directors Are Winning At The Film Africa Festival". Konibi. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  9. ^ Orubo, Daniel (2016-03-11). "Lights, Camera, Action: Niyi Akinmolayan On Set For 'Room 315'". Channels Television. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  10. ^ Izuzu, Chimduga (2017-09-30). "Watch episode 1 of Nigerian animated series". PulseNG. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
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