Bolanle Austen-Peters | |
---|---|
Born | Ibadan, Nigeria | 4 February 1969
Nationality | Nigerian |
Alma mater | |
Occupation(s) | Director, Producer, Entrepreneur |
Organization(s) | Terra Kulture, BAP Productions, Terra Academy For The Arts (TAFTA) |
Bolanle Austen-Peters (born 4 February 1969), is a lawyer, a multiple award-winning movie director/producer, theater director/producer and cultural entrepreneur. [1] She is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions and the arts and culture center Terra Kulture in Lagos. [2] [3] She has been described by the CNN as the "woman pioneering theater in Nigeria", named one of the most influential women in Africa by Forbes Afrique and been recognised with several awards for her contribution to the arts. [4]
Her movie, based on the life of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti is known as the "All time highest grossing biopic in West Africa" [5]
Her movie, House of GA'A, in the first week of its release made it to top 10 Global Chart for Non-English Films [6]
She is also the founder of Terra Academy for the Arts in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, were she has trained over 24 thousand students till date. With offices in Ogun, Lagos and Kano states, Nigeria. She had previously worked with the United Nations. [7]
Austen-Peters was born in 1969 in Ibadan, the Oyo State in the south-western region of Nigeria. She is the daughter of Emmanuel Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Rtd Major, Mrs Bisi Babalola. [3] [8] She gained a BA in Law from the University of Lagos and an MA from London School of Economics and Political Science. [3] In the 1990s she worked as a lawyer in Afe Babalola and Co Barristers and Solicitors and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Switzerland . [9]
In 2003, she founded Terra Kulture, an educational and cultural hub for Nigerian languages, arts, and culture. It includes a restaurant, art gallery, auction house, bookstore, language school, theater, film production studio, and Academy for the study of art. Located on Tiamiyu Savage Street in Lagos, its Arena is the first privately owned theater in Nigeria. [10]
In 2013, she established her own production company Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions (BAP Productions). BAP Production is the production house, set up to change the narrative about Africa by promoting women as example from FRK, Fela and the Kalakuta queens; [11] social issues e.g. The Bling Lagosians and Collision Course (2021 film) and 93 Days. The company entered the Nigerian theater industry with its first production Saro, the musical. [12] The musical was staged in Lagos and in 2016 went on tour to London's West End. [13] The musical tells the story of four young men who decide to embark on a journey to Lagos where they seek to realize their dreams.
In 2015, Austen-Peters produced the film 93 Days . [14] [15] It tells the story of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria and premiered on 13 September 2016 in Lagos. It was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, [16] The Chicago Film Festival, [17] the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, [18] the Johannesburg Film Festival, [19] and at the Africa Film Festival in Cologne/Germany, [20] and nominated for a Rapid Lion Award. [21] It won the award for Best Lighting Designer at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, and received thirteen nominations. [22] [23] [24] 93 days was also nominated for the Rapid Lion Award and in 7 categories for the 2017 Africa Movie Academy Awards, which was the highest nominated film in 2017 AMAA. [25]
In 2016, Austen-Peters directed the musical Wakaa, which tells the story of the trials, successes and experiences of a group of graduate students. [26] It was the first Nigerian musical to be staged in London’s West End, and recorded sold out shows at the Shaw theatre in London. [27]
In 2017, Austen-Peters directed the musical Fela and The Kalakuta Queens. [28] [29] It chronicles the life of the Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, and the women that were an integral part of his band. It was produced and created with the support of Fela Kuti’s estate. It was shown in Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa. The musical is one of the biggest to come out of Africa with over 120,000 people having watched it. [30]
In 2019, Austen-Peters directed the film Bling Lagosians which the individual feuds within a wealthy Lagos family.. [31] [32] It was nominated for two awards including Best Art Director, Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards. It starred Nollywood actors and actresses including Gbenga Titiloye, Elvina Ibru, Osas Ighodaro, Toyin Abraham, Jide Kosoko, Sharon Ooja, Bisola Aiyeola, Denola Grey, Monalisa Chinda, Helen Paul and Alex Ekubo.
In the same year, she also directed the musical ‘Man Enough’ which is a monologue in three voices; a man crying to be heard, a man yelling to be saved from a world that thinks he is ‘Superman’ and a man fearing to speak. It is a story of a man proving his worth and when he is man enough. [33]
In 2020, Austen-Peters directed the movie Collision Course which tells the story of the lives of a law enforcement agent and an aspiring musician in Nigeria. [34] It was shown on Netflix and won Best Movie (West Africa) at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and was nominated for four awards including Best Film, Africa International Film Festival AFRIFF (2021), Best Performance in a Film, AFRIFF (2021), Best Performance in a Film, AMA (2021). It starred Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Ade Laoye, Kenneth Okolie, Daniel Etim Effiong, Bimbo Manuel, Gregory Ojefua, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, Kalu Ikeagwu and Nobert Young.
In 2021, Austen-Peters directed the movie Man of God (2022 film) which tells the story of a man who is caught between religion, expectations and his own belief. [35] The movie was produced for Netflix and became the most viewed movie of the month. [36] [37] It stars the actors Akah Nnani, Osas Ighodaro, Prince Nelson Enwerem, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Patrick Doyle, Jude Chukwuka, Eucharia Anunobi, Shawn Faqua, Mawuli Gavor and Olumide Oworu.
In 2022, Austen-Peters directed the movie Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti which tells the story of Funmilayo; from her pioneering days as the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School to her marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti. [38] The movie the won ‘Best Overall Feature Film’ and the ‘Best Screenplay’ awards. [39] [40] The film features movie stars like Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Ibrahim Suleiman, Jide Kosoko, and Dele Odule..
The movie is also known as the "All time highest grossing biopic in West Africa" [41]
In 2023, Austen-Peters directed the movie, House of GA'A [42] which tells the story of a ruthless Prime Minister desperate for revenge ferociously rises to power, stopping at nothing to become more powerful than the kings he served. In the first week of its release, the movie made it to top 10 Global Chart for Non-English Films [43]
Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Director | Man of God | Nominated | [44] [45] [46] |
Best Costume Designer | Nominated |
She founded Terra Academy For The Arts (TAFTA) in partnership with MasterCard foundation to train 65,000 young adults over five years. Terra Academy for the arts offers FREE education to its students in sound, stage and set design, animation and scriptwriting. [47]
Austen-Peters has collaborated closely with the Nigerian Ministry of Culture to empower the creative industries through jobs and artistic projects. [48] She was in 2015 recognised with the Award in Appreciation of Contribution to the Development of National Museum, Onikan, Lagos. [49] In 2017, she collaborated with Lagos State Government to celebrate Lagos 50th anniversary. [50] More than 9 sculptures were commissioned and placed around Lagos to bring light to the city’s history, culture and people. Perhaps the most well-known sculpture is Nigerian artist Abolore Sobayo’s sculpture of Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti. The sculpture salutes every Lagosian who has at one time or the other, fought for liberation. The sculpture is a celebration of Lagos and recognises the struggle of its citizens. Some of the other artists included in the project were Ade Odunfa, Hamza Atta, Segun Aiyesan, Umeh Bede, Gerald Chukwuma, Tayo Olayode and Terfa Adingi. She has been involved in the preservation and development of Nigerian languages throughout her career, and interviewed Nigerian author and Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka for the New York Times. [51] Terra Kulture is collaborating with Mastercard Foundation to support 65,000 young creatives with job opportunities. [52] [53]
In 2021, Austen-Peters collaborated with Google Arts & Culture, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and six cultural institutions to celebrate the city of Lagos and its creative communities. [54] The project ‘Èkó for Show: Explore Lagos’ highlighted the young generation of talented individuals and communities spanning music, art, photography, fashion, theatre, literature and food. [55] Terra Kulture contributed with Street View imagery, photographs, videos and immersive stories about Lagos cultural hub. For the project launch, Austen-Peters created a dedicated behind-the-scenes YouTube series with Afrobeats artists Teni, Kizz Daniel and Reekado Banks, explaining their creative journey.
She is married to Adegboyega Austen-Peters, a Nigerian executive and board member. [56] They have a son and daughter, and live in Lagos, Nigeria.
Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì was a Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.
Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician born in London and raised in Lagos. He is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a grandchild of political campaigner, women's rights activist and traditional aristocrat Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
Kalakuta Republic was the name musician and political activist Fela Kuti gave to the communal compound that housed his family, band members, and recording studio. Located at 14 Agege Motor Road, Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria, it had a free health clinic, and recording facility. Fela declared it independent from the state ruled by the military junta after he returned from the United States in 1970. The compound burned to the ground on February 18, 1977 after an assault by a thousand armed soldiers.
Zombie is a studio album by Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. It was released in Nigeria by Coconut Records in 1976, and in the United Kingdom by Creole Records in 1977.
Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, MON, also known as Funmilayo Aníkúlápó-Kuti, was a Nigerian educator, political campaigner, suffragist, and women's rights activist.
The Ransome-Kuti family is a Nigerian Yoruba political family noted for its simultaneous contributions to art, religion, education and medicine. It belongs to the Nigerian bourgeoisie, and also has historic links to the Nigerian chieftaincy system.
Yemisi Ransome-Kuti is the only child of Azariah Olusegun Ransome-Kuti MBE. She is also the granddaughter of the Rev. Canon Josiah Ransome-Kuti. Her aunt Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a foremost feminist in Nigeria who was also part of the delegation that went to negotiate the terms of independence for their country from the British.
Fela! is a jukebox musical with a book by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis, based on music and lyrics by the late Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, with additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean and additional lyrics by Jim Lewis. It is based on events in the life of groundbreaking Nigerian composer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. It portrays Kuti in the days when he was the target of 1,000 government soldiers assigned to end his public performances at the legendary Lagos nightclub The Shrine.
Terra Kulture is an arts and culture center in Lagos, Nigeria with an attached restaurant.
A'rese Emokpae known simply as A'rese is a Nigerian actress, singer, and audiobook narrator. She first garnered attention as a stage actress starring in Bolanle Austen-Peters' Terra Kulture production Wakaa: The Musical which led her to participate in and win the first season of The Voice Nigeria. In 2017 she gained popularity for her lead role as Senami Minasu in Africa Magic's hit series Jemeji. In the same year, she released her first single "Uwe No".
Adunni Ade is a Nigerian American actress and model. She was born on the 7th of June 1976 in Queens, New York to a German American mother and a Nigerian father from Lagos.
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.
Samuel Animashaun Perry, known professionally as Broda Shaggi, is a Nigerian comedian, actor, songwriter and musician. He is a two-time Best Actor in a Comedy, Movie or TV Series winner at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards in 2022 and 2023.
Tunde Babalola is a Nigerian screenwriter in Nigerian cinema and British television. He is most notable for writing movies such as Last Flight to Abuja, Critical Assignment, October 1 and Citation, as well as the Nigerian soap-opera Tinsel and UK series The Bill and In Exile. He also acted in the 2001 movie Deep Freeze, however it is not a career path he says he intends to pursue.
James Amuta is a film producer, director, aerial cinematographer and publicist. He is best known for his documentary film "Nightfall in Lagos" which was nominated for the best documentary film in 2018 by the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is a 2024 biopic about the life and times of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a renowned Nigerian activist and mother of afrobeat Legend, Fela Kuti.
Man of God is a 2022 Nigerian film produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters and starring Akah Nnani, Osas Ighodaro, Dorcas Shola-Fapson, Prince Nelson Enwerem, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Jude Chukwuka, Olumide Oworu, Mawuli Gavor and many others. Based on the biblical story The Prodigal Son, Man of God was released on Netflix on 16 April 2022 as Bolanle Austen-Peters first Netflix branded film.
Collision Course, later retitled as Collision, is a 2021 Nigerian drama film directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters. It was featured as the closing film for the 10th Africa International Film Festival in November 2021 and was the opening film for the Athen’s Nollywood Travel Film Festival in May 2022.
Queen Moremi: The Musical is a 2018 Nigerian musical about 12th-century queen Moremi Ajasoro. The show was produced by Bolanle Austern-Peters Productions and the House of Oduduwa. It was directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters and produced by Joseph Umoibum. The show's music was composed by Kehinde Oritinehin.
Fran Kuboye was a Nigerian singer, dentist, TV personality and women's rights activist who co-founded the Jazz 38 club in Lagos and the Extended Family Jazz Band. Born into the Ransome-Kuti family, she was the granddaughter of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and niece of Fela Kuti.
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