Niyi Akinmolayan
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (June 2018) |
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 | Prophetess The Wedding Party 2 |
| Spouse | Victoria Akujobi |
| Website | http://www.niyiakinmolayan.com |
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]
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
In 2015, Akinmolayan also directed the movies
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 | Omotunde Adebowale David , Francis Sule, Temidayo Akinboro, Funlola Aofiyebi, Katherine Obiang |
Editor | Feature film | |
| 2019 | The Set Up | 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[7] | 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 |
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) - ^ 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.