Nollywood’s top 5 female directors
“Acknowledge the source of credit.” These are deservingly celebrated female directors.
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, it is merely fitting that we honor a few notable female directors whom we believe have not only established themselves but additionally had a substantial impact on the expansion and advancement of the Nigerian film industry.
They have broken through established obstacles and made a name for themselves in a male-dominated field by showcasing extraordinary talent, vision, and creativity in their works that tell gripping and intriguing stories that appeal to audiences locally and globally.
These are the top 5 Nollywood female directors, who are making some of the best movies the business has to offer:
1) Osiberu Jade
Without a doubt, one of the most gifted and imaginative directors working in Nigerian cinema is Osiberu. She has established herself as a well-known writer and producer in the world of media.
While employed by Ndani TV, she worked on television shows like “Gidi Up,” “Rumour Has It,” and “The Juice,” which helped her polish her directing abilities. She immediately established a reputation for having a distinct vision and strong storytelling abilities through her work on these series.
2019 saw the debut of her second movie, “Sugar Rush,” a romantic comedy starring Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Omoni Oboli, and Bisi Aiyeola, among other well-known Nollywood performers. Both reviewers and viewers gave the movie high marks, and it became a financial and critical success.
She was the initial African director to secure a special global contract with Prime Video in 2022. Her eagerly awaited “Gangs of Lagos” is expected to be the first Nigerian original song on the site.
Numerous people have acknowledged her extraordinary talent, and she has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the film business.
2) The multifaceted Nigerian director Kemi Adetiba has established herself as one of the best directors of movies the nation has ever produced. Apart from helming motion pictures,
She is a skilled director of music videos as well as a filmmaker.
“Across the Bloodied Ocean,” her debut short film, was written, directed, and produced by her in 2008.
The 2009 Pan African Film Festival and the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta both screened the short film. Her debut feature picture, the well-liked “The Wedding Party,” which was a big box office hit, was directed by her in 2016.
She later directed “King of Boys” and “King of Boys: The Return of the King,” two more critically acclaimed films. The former made ₦104 million in revenue over its 14 weeks in theaters.
Apart from her remarkable contributions to the film business, Adetiba is renowned for helming music videos for some of Nigeria’s best musicians in Nigeria, such as Olamide, Banky W, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage. Popular TV networks like Channel O, MTV Base, Sound City TV, and BET have aired her work. She has received countless nominations and prizes due to her remarkable skills and varied range of talents.
She won the City People Entertainment Award for Best Music Video Director of the Year in 2015 after being nominated for the same award in 2014’s Headies. In addition, Adetiba was honored with the 2017 HNWOTY Award for Woman of the Year in Film and Television.
3) Mildred Okwo
Prominent Nigerian producer and filmmaker Mildred Okwo is well-known for her outstanding achievements to the country’s film industry.
She began filming “30 Days,” her debut feature, in 2005. She became well-known in the entertainment sector very quickly thanks to the critically acclaimed film, which garnered nine African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nominations.
The love comedy-drama film “The Meeting,” which she directed in 2012, won multiple accolades, including the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (AMAA) and Nollywood Movies Awards, and topped the national box office for Nollywood productions.
‘Suru L’ere,’ which she directed in 2016, was a different one box office success and took home multiple accolades from the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice accolades and the African International Film Festival.
She helmed the much-awaited film “La Femme Anjola” in 2020, which stars Rita Dominic and Nonso Bassey among other Nollywood actors.
Several national and worldwide honors have been bestowed upon her films. Elle Magazine named her one of the “50 Women Shaping Africa” in 2016, and she received a nomination for the Best Director award at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
She is also one of the original members of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee, which chooses the national film to represent Nigeria at the Academy Awards.
Okwo has recently appeared in many conversations and documentaries, including one from the BBC about female directors of Nigerian cinema.
She has risen to the top of the Nigerian film industry and become an inspiration to the nation’s budding filmmakers thanks to her extraordinary narration and directing abilities.
4) Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is a movie producer and actress from Nigeria.
She is a multi-talented Nigerian actress, producer, and director of films who has received great recognition for her work in the entertainment sector.
Many cinema buffs were instantly enthralled with her acting technique. Her most famous role is from the renowned television series “Jenifa’s Diary,” which made her an accepted figure in Nigeria and other countries.
Akindele has acted in and produced several popular movies, such as “Chief Daddy,” “Omo Ghetto: The Saga,” and “Battle on Buka Street.” As of right now, her film “Battle on Buka Street” holds the record for the biggest box office earnings ever.
She is not only a talented actor and producer, but she has also directed multiple films.
In 2011, she made her feature film directing breakthrough with “Return of Jenifa,” an extension of the well-liked television series “Jenifa’s Diary.”
She went on to direct a couple more films after that, such as “Your Excellency” and “Moms at War.”
5) Tope Oshin
Temitope Oshin is an accomplished filmmaker with a gift for telling gripping tales that come to life on screen. Her directing abilities are unparalleled, and she has made a name for herself as one of the top filmmakers in the film business.
After completing her studies in film directing at the Colorado Film School of the Community College of Aurora, Denver, she went on to helm episodes of several of the largest drama series in Africa, including MTV Naija Shuga, Tinsel, Hotel Majestic, and Hush.
In the Nigerian film business, Oshin has also directed a number of the genre’s most popular films. Her directing credits include “Journey To Self,” “New Horizons,” “Up North,” and “New Money.”
Several of the biggest names in the business have acknowledged her directing abilities, and she is now looked forward to by aspiring directors. Oshin will undoubtedly leave her imprint in the film industry because of her love and commitment to her work.
