Kunle Afolayan is a Nigerian actor, producer and director. He is 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 subsequent directing credits include The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, and Citation.
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs,, known professionally as Olu Jacobs, is a veteran Nigerian actor and film executive. He began his career starring in several British television series and international films. Vanguard described him as one of the "godfathers of Nollywood", along with Pete Edochie. Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, Olu Jacobs worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
![<i>Phone Swap</i> Film dir. by Kunle Afolayan ; starring Joke Silva ... [et al.]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Phone_Swap_Theatrical_Poster.jpg)
Phone Swap is a 2012 Nigerian romance comedy-drama film written by Kemi Adesoye, directed and produced by Kunle Afolayan. It stars Nse Ikpe Etim, Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, Chika Okpala, Lydia Forson and Afeez Oyetoro, and focuses on a series of events unfolding when two polar opposites accidentally exchange phones. The film was conceived after a brief from an advertising agency to create a movie that would cut across ages 15 to 45. It received 4 nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards which includes the category Best Nigerian Film and won the award Achievement in Production Design.
The Meeting is a 2012 Nigerian romantic comedy drama film produced by Rita Dominic & Mildred Okwo and directed by Mildred Okwo. It stars Femi Jacobs, Rita Dominic, Linda Ejiofor, Kehinde Bankole and Jide Kosoko with special appearances from Nse Ikpe Etim, Kate Henshaw and Chinedu Ikedieze. It received 6 nominations at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards and won the award for the category Achievement In Make-Up.
Somewhere in Africa: The Cries of humanity is a 2011 Ghanaian drama film directed by Frank Rajah Arase, starring Majid Michel, Martha Ankomah and Kofi Adjorlolo. It received 7 nominations at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards including categories: Best Actor in a Leading Role, Achievement in Soundtrack, Achievement in Visual effects and Achievement in Make-Up. Majid Michel was the recipient of the film's only award.
Ties that Bind is a 2011 drama film directed by Leila Djansi and starring Kimberly Elise, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Ama K. Abebrese. It was filmed in Ghana. It was nominated in 21 categories at the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards, and won 9 awards. It received 7 nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards and eventually won the award for the category Achievement in Screenplay.
A Northern Affair is a 2014 Ghanaian-Nigerian romantic drama film directed by Leila Djansi, and starring John Dumelo, Joselyn Dumas & Kofi Adjorlolo. It won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Production Design at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Heart of Men is a 2009 Ghanaian Nigerian thriller film produced & directed by Frank Rajah Arase, and starring Majid Michel, John Dumelo, Prince David Osei and Yvonne Nelson. It received five nominations at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Ivie Okujaye Egboh is a Nigerian actress, film producer, scriptwriter, dancer, singer and activist. In 2009, she participated in and won the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality TV show. She is sometimes called little Genevieve because she resembles actress Genevieve Nnaji. She was awarded Best Young Actor at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu is a Nigerian actor, movie director, producer and politician. In 2014, Bob-Manuel received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards. He was nominated for Best Actor in a supporting role at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards for his role in Adesuwa.
The Lifetime Achievement Award of the Africa Film Academy is given to individuals that have contributed tremendously to the growth of African cinema. Amaka Igwe was the first recipient of the award in 2005.
Kiss and Tell is a 2011 Nigerian romantic comedy film, produced by Emem Isong and directed by Desmond Elliot. It stars Monalisa Chinda, Joseph Benjamin, Desmond Elliot, Nse Ikpe Etim, Uche Jombo and Bhaira Mcwizu. Though the film was a commercial success, it was met with mixed to negative reception.
Maami is a 2011 Nigerian drama film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. It is based on a novel of the same name, written by Femi Osofisan, and adapted to screen by Tunde Babalola. It stars Funke Akindele as Maami, along with Wole Ojo and Olumide Bakare. Though the film was a commercial failure, it was generally met with positive critical reviews.
Heroes and Zeroes is a 2012 Nigerian drama film written and directed by Niji Akanni. It stars Nadia Buari, Bimbo Manuel and Olu Jacobs. It premiered on August 31, 2012 at Silverbird Galleria, Lagos. It was nominated in 6 categories at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards, winning awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editing.
Single and Married is a 2012 Ghanaian Nigerian romantic blue comedy film, produced by Yvonne Nelson and directed by Pascal Amanfo. It stars Yvonne Nelson, Chris Attoh, Nadia Buari, Tana Adelana, Kofi Adjorlolo, Eddie Watson and Jane 'Efya' Awindor. The film "centres on the drama, the intrigue and the dirty little secrets of three male friends, their sex lives, being single or married, and all the in-betweens".
Niji Akanni is a Nigerian dramatist, screenwriter, director, producer and filmmaker.
Ugwu Lotachukwu Jacinta Obianuju Amelia is a Nigerian actress popularly known as Lota Chukwu. She gained popularity after starring in popular Nigerian TV series, Jenifa's Diary, alongside Funke Akindele, Juliana Olayode, and Falz where she plays the role of "Kiki", a friend of the lead character, Jenifa. She is also a yoga fitness enthusiast.
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, also known as Living in Bondage II, is a 2019 Nigerian supernatural thriller executive produced by Charles Okpaleke. A sequel to the 1992 classic Living in Bondage, the film stars Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Enyinna Nwigwe, and Muna Abii, with Swanky JKA in his breakout role, and Ramsey Nouah, who makes his directorial debut, playing the main villain. It received mostly positive reviews and ranked 11th overall on the list of highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time at the end of its theatrical run. The film premiered on Netflix in May 2020.
Jennifer Okere was a Nigerian actress and one of the pioneers of the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) in the 1990s. Her two ground-breaking Nollywood blockbuster movies, Living in Bondage and Glamour Girls have been re-adapted. She was the posthumous recipient, of the 2016 Afro Heritage Broadcasting and Entertainment Awards (AHBEA) in Houston, Texas.
