The Nigerian filmmaking cineaste called Nollywood witnessed some unprecedented achievements in 2023. From Editi Effiong-directed Black Book and Charles Okapaleke’s Blood Vessel which secured covetous on Netflix’sx global Top 10 list, to C.J. “Fiery” Obasi’s monumental and culture-defining moments and achievement with his monochromic Mami Wata, to Funke Akindele’s box-office moments, the film industry witnessed growth. Anchored on these historic cultural moments, the film industry is fit to create more cultural moments worth reminiscing about in years to come. However, while all these constantly-in-the-tabloid moments took place, Nigerian indie filmmakers were, in their individual and collective efforts, also making waves.
Propelled by the urgent and creative decision to spotlight the indigenous filmmaking style and sensibilities of Nigerian indie filmmakers, film festivals were started and some returned for their sophomore and third editions. Amongst those indie-focused film festivals are Ibadan International Film Festival(IBFF), Ibadan Indie Film Awards(IFA), Edo State International Film Festival(ESIFF), Surreal 16(S16), and The Annual Film Mischief(TAFM.) In their unique programming interest and taste, these festivals are a haven for Nigerian indie filmmakers to publicly show their unorthodox films. Thus, these festivals, by providing platforms for these dissident filmmakers, are laying the ground for a more diversified film landscape that caters to different filmmaking styles and sensibilities.
Writing, directing, shooting, and producing these often scornful but cinematically gripping films are these underlisted Nigerian filmmakers. Apart from making films with a different tone and mood from mainstream Nollywood films and series, these filmmakers share a kinship in their commendable interest in curating and serving the cinematic cravings of a growing and thriving market. Selected for their eclectic and wanderlust filmmaking interest, this list features directors, screenwriters, and producers with enviable filmography.
FATIMAH GIMSAY.
My earliest introduction to the Nigerian screenwriter-cum-director is with her short film Ijo starring Genoveva Umeh and Charles Etubiebi. At first watch, what was obvious and gripping was the storyline — which, in a few minutes, intimated me with the heart-wrecking story of the lead, and Gimsay’s deft directing. Produced in 2023 is Omonzi. A short film that, in paltry minutes, captures the tale of motherhood and migration. This film helped secure Gimsay’s directorial prowess in my mind.
MOSES IPADEOLA.
The Nigerian film director, with a theatre art background, Moses Ipadeola has a unique filmmaking style. Ipadeola’s poignant interest in capturing and portraying the African cosmological and cultural landscape guides the project he works on. From Ifa Therapy to Fate, and his newly-teased Fada Kristmas, his affinity with African culture shines bright.
DIKA OFOMA
There are multiple versions of Dika Ofoma. I’m familiar with two versions: Ofoma, the Culture Journalist, and Ofoma, the filmmaker. With a vast byline to his name, Ofoma has established himself as one of Africa’s culture journalists who takes a keen interest in writing and reporting about the filmmaking landscape in Nigeria. As a protege of the Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene and a passionate watcher of Old Nollywood films, Ofoma keenly intersects Old Nollywood sensibilities into his films. From his critically acclaimed The Way Things Happen, to the migration-themed A Japa Tale, to his recently produced A Quiet Monday, Ofoma is a remarkable director to look out for in 2024.
TENIOLA ZARA KING
The Islander British-born and Nigerian-raised Teniola Zara King is a writer-cum-director influenced by her exposure to multiple cultural worldviews. King’s directed Teju’s Tale testify to these cross-continental influences. The director also teaches a film masterclass for Round House about the journey of a film from moving from an idea to the screen.
TOMISIN ADEPOJU
Another Nigerian-British filmmaker worthy of attention is Tomisin Adepoju. Having screened his films in over 150 film festivals including the prestigious Sundance, Adepoju occupies a coveted spot as one remarkable Nigerian indie filmmaker. Although Adepoju’s filmmaking career and films which are mostly outside the confines of the country, can be passively considered an outlier, his films often bear marks of his cross-cultural influences. One such short film is Appreciation. Filmmaking aside, Adepoju also hosts Dialies – his creative contribution to bridging the conversation between Nigerian-British filmmakers and others
JULIE AKO
Julie Ako has a different portfolio from the listed filmmakers here. Trained as a Computer Scientist, Ako began her filmmaking career writing screenplays and writing for the stage. As her interest in screenwriting expanded, she noticed that something was missing in the screenwriting landscape: There are many talented writers on the continent and there are few opportunities for them. In a bid to solve this challenge, Ako co-founded Albantsho, which is “a platform where amazing black Africans come together to unfold the many layers of African stories.” Of Burning Questions and Fiery Answers, Ako’s recent short film screened at the indie-focused S16 Film Festival.
OWEN OLOWU
Another Nigerian indie filmmaker with a non-conforming to the status quo filmmaking style is Owen Olowu. Having interviewed and watched all the short films I can find in Olowu’s filmography, it’s easy to distinguish his daring approach to telling stories. This brave approach to telling stories has earned him multiple awards at The Annual Film Mischief and recently at The Film Joint Awards 2024. Olowu’s strong and steady strides as an indie filmmaker aside, he is currently working on a part of securing a foothold in mainstream Nollywood.
BLUE ADEKUNLE
Adekunle Blue is known for The Blood Covenant, Man and Masquerades, and Strawberry Chinny where she acted in varying creative capacities as Art Director and Assistant Director. Winning Best Student Film at the Africa International Film Festival(AFRIFF) Globe Award in 2023 with Man and Masquerade, her debut directorial project is a testament and foreshadowing of the filmmaker’s gradual ascendancy. Away from her directorial work, Blue has built, over time, an attractive portfolio designing, as an Art and Production Designer. La Femme Anjola, Blood sisters, Elesin Oba, Love Language, and Now That We Are Married are films that hold witness to her abilities.
KOREDE AZEEZ
Korede Azeez has always been precise and vocal about her filmmaking intentions: “to make movies with Muslim protagonists. This has guided her story and casting choices in the films in her filmography. From her directorial debut short film Tip of the Edge to directing one of the short films in the Netflix-UNESCO “ African Folktales Reimagined, Korede is continually building her filmmaking career one step at a time. Although no specific date has been announced for her second directorial feature-length film, With Difficulty Comes Ease starring Uzoamaka Aniunoh. The film circles the story of a young widow on the cusp of finding her place in the world.
