Imo State is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its name from the Imo River which flows along the state's eastern border. The state capital is Owerri and the state nickname is the "Eastern Heartland."
Kunle Afolayan is a Nigerian actor, producer and director. He is widely credited for elevating the quality of Nollywood movies through larger budgets, shooting on 35mm, releasing in cinemas, and improving cliché Nollywood storylines. After starting his film career as an actor in the 1999 political drama Saworoide, Afolayan made his directorial debut in 2006 with Irapada, a Nigerian supernatural thriller, which won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. His follow-on directing credits include The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, and Citation. October 1 was the winner of 16 major African movie awards in 2015 and the second highest grossing Nigerian film in Nigerian cinemas at the time of its release, a feat Afolayan was to repeat two years later with The CEO. In 2021, the director signed a three-picture deal with Netflix. Swallow, the screen adaption of Sefi Atta's book of the same name was the first to be released in October 2021, followed by Aníkúlápó, an epic Nigerian fantasy released in September 2022. Afolayan has described the work as a "Game of Thrones recreated in Nigeria but with a better representation of our culture”. Eleven days after its release, it was the #1 most-watched non-English Netflix original film.
The 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards was the 6th edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards ceremony, and took place in Port Harcourt, Nigeria on October 16, 2014. The event was hosted by Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Fred Amata with special performances from Wizkid and Okey Bakassi.
Bimbo Ademoye, is a Nigerian actress. She won Best Actress in a Comedy/TV series at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for her role in the film Selina.
Omowunmi Dada is a Nigerian actress, best known for her role as Folake in the M-Net television series Jemeji. She was also cast in the 2017 Yoruba language film Somewhere in the Dark, which won the award for Best Indigenous Film at the 2017 AMVCA Awards, and for which she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Yoruba) at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2017. In 2018, Dada played the voice of the titular character in Nigeria's first animation full-length feature film, Sade.
Adetola Abdullateef Adedimeji is a Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He gained popularity with his first major role in Yewande Adekoya's 2013 movie titled Kudi Klepto and has acted in over 100 Nigerian movies since he began acting 15 years ago. He is currently a brand ambassador for Airtel and Numatville Megacity.
Breaded Life is a 2021 Nigerian dramedy film written and directed by Biodun Stephen. It was co-produced by Biodun Stephen, Tara Ajibulu and Kayode Sowade. It stars MC Lively, Bisola Aiyeola, Timini Egbuson, Bimbo Ademoye, Bolanle Ninalowo and Adedimeji Lateef. It was premiered on 10 April 2021 at iMax cinema Lagos and then released nationwide on 16 April 2021. It is a spin off of the 2016 romantic comedy, Picture perfect and contains some of the original cast members from Picture Perfect.
Ayinla is a musical eponymous film based on the life of Ayinla Yusuf popularly known as Ayinla Omowura, an Apala musician who was stabbed to death by his manager named Bayewu in a bar fight on 6 May 1980 at Abeokuta. The film premiered on 13 June 2021 in Lagos and was released to theatres on 18 June 2021. Directed by Tunde Kelani, the film was set in the 1970s and early 1980s and shot in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Lateef Adedimeji assumed the role of Ayinla, starring alongside Omowumi Dada, Bimbo Manuel, Ade Laoye, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Ademoye and Mr Macaroni. Ayinla is Kelani's first major film since his 2015 release of Dazzling Mirage. The budget for this feature film is officially given as ₦50 Million.
Babajide Saheed "Jide" Awobona is a Nigerian actor, scriptwriter and filmmaker. He was born and raised in Lagos but hails from Ogun State. He gained popularity for his role as Sam in the sitcom Jenifa's Diary.
Progressive Tailors Club, is a Nigerian political satire film directed by Biodun Stephen and co-produced by Niyi Akinmolayan and Victoria Akujobi. The film stars Beverly Osu, Uzor Arukwe, Funnybone, and Blessing Jessica Obasi with Rachael Oniga, Lizzy Jay, Adedimeji Lateef, and Bolaji Ogunmola in supporting roles. The film deals with members of the Progressive Tailors Club where they gather for a meeting to elect their new leader but made several unlawful comments on that.
The 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards is the 13th edition of the ceremony that took place in Lokoja, Kogi State on 11 December 2021
Temitope Duker is a Nigerian filmmaker and radio show host.
King of Thieves (Agẹṣinkólé) is a 2022 Nigerian thriller film produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani. It stars Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, Broda Shaggi, Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo aka Mr Macaroni, Lateef Adedimeji, and Ibrahim Chatta. The Epic Yoruba-language movie was produced by Femi Adebayo's Euphoria360 media and co-produced by the Niyi Akinmolayan's Anthill studios. The movie's premiere was held on April 4, 2022, and the star-studded event was held at the IMAX Cinemas, Lekki, Lagos which featured lot of trends and talk-point. The movie hit the cinema nationwide from April 8, 2022,
Mahfouz A. Adedimeji is a Nigerian professor of Pragmatics and Applied Linguistics. He is the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University, Patigi in Nigeria, a Fulbright scholar, former Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies of the University of Ilorin, an ex-member of the Governing Council of the International Peace Research Association and a cultural ambassador to the US under the Institute of International Education (IIE), New York.
Soole is a 2021 Nigerian-comedy film produced by Adunni Ade, a Lou-Ellen Clara Company Limited distributed by FilmOne entertainment, and directed by Kayode Kasum. The film is Adunni Ade's debut production and stars Sola Sobowale, Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Jacobs, Meg Otanwa, Shawn Faqua, Bukunmi Oluwasina, Eso Dike, Teniola Aladese, Saidi Balogun amongst others. The film premiered on the 21 November 2021 and hit cinemas nationwide on 26 November 2021.
Adebimpe Oyebade better known as Mo Bimpe is a Nigerian film actress known for winning the 2018 City People Entertainment Awards for Best New Actress of the Year.
Strangers is a 2022 Nigerian drama film written by Anthony Eloka, produced by Banji Adesanmi and directed by Biodun Stephen. The movie won the Gold Award for Directing at the International Independent Film Awards held in Los Angeles. and it stars Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Oshin, Bolaji Ogunmola, Debbie Felix.
Lucifer is a 2019 Nigeria action film about a man feared in the community. It was directed by Tope Adebayo and Ibrahim Yekini. Itele also known as Ibrahim Yekini is the producer.
The Griot is a 2021 Nigerian drama film directed by Adeoluwa Owu and produced by Goodness Emmanuel. The film stars Lateef Adedimeji, Funso Adeolu, Goodness Emmanuel, Imoh Eboh, Sharon Jatto. It was released on 9 November 2021 and premiered on Netflix in 2022.
Ijakumo is a 2022 suspense thriller produced by Toyin Abraham and had its theatrical release on 23 December 2022. The film stars an ensemble cast including Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, Lolade Okusanya, Bimbo Akintola, Olumide Oworu, Lillian Afegbai among others. The film was scripted by Kehinde Joseph and directed by Adebayo Tijani.
