The directors’ role in the film industry cannot be overstated. They are instrumental in bringing a script to life. All our favourite movies exist because of a director’s effort.
Our industry is constantly evolving, but there are a few directors who have really won the hearts of many. These filmmakers have a special way of telling stories that connect with people.
Whether it’s relatable characters, powerful narratives, or witty comedy, they keep us glued to our screens. Here are six directors Nollyphiles trust.
Kunle Afolayan
“He is a modern-day Nigerian auteur.” – Ire
“Afolayan is a pacesetter with a penchant for perfection.” – Daniel
Kunle Afolayan is no stranger to handling the reins of a production. He continues to receive praise for his work on ‘Citation’ and ‘Phone Swap’ and is often credited with elevating the quality of Nollywood movies and pushing for cinema releases.
‘October 1st‘ is the movie that got Ire, a marketing expert, hooked. She has followed Afolayan’s career ever since. Ire is swayed by the way he tries to reflect modern-day Nigeria to his audience.
As a lover of discourse, she spends most days listening to social and political commentary podcasts, and Afolayan is able to match this energy through his visuals. She enjoys the commentaries he makes through his films and believes he has a distinct director voice.
For Daniel, a civil engineer, ‘The Figurine’ made him fall in love with Afolayan. He trusts Afolayan because he has an innovative mind and is patient enough to create qualitative art. To solidify this, he makes mention of ‘The Figurine,’ which shot for three months—a crazy shooting length in 2009 because productions tried to save cost at the time. Daniel regards him as the father of new Nollywood.
Biodun Stephen
“I think she is the queen of drama and comedy.” – Ire
“I always look forward to her movies.” – Winner
“Directors are like magicians, and she makes magic.” – Magnificent
Stephen made her entry into the film industry with ‘The Visit’, a film she produced. During the start of her career, she engaged more with the production side of filmmaking. It was in 2017 that she first tried her hands at directing with ‘Tiwa’s Baggage’.
She has since left a mark on people, including Ire, Winner, and Magnificent. ‘Introducing The Kujus’ had Ire sold while ‘Breaded Life’ and ‘Sista’ did it for Winner and Magnificent
Ire is at Stephen’s screenings because she wants to have a fun time. With a Biodun Stephen movie, laughter is promised and is definitely fulfilled. However, Ire notes that Stephen also tackles serious issues with comedy. She cites ‘Muri & Ko’ as an example. The movie took on kidnapping and subtly discussed class.
Meanwhile, Magnificent is in awe of what Stephen does with her characters. She was able to see Timini Egbuson in a new light away from typecasting, thanks to Stephen. Winner also shares the same sentiment. She rates Stephen highly and is always looking forward to the next “masterpiece” she puts out.
Kayode Kasum
“His stories captivate his viewers.” – Winner
Kayode Kasum is rated as the 4th highest grossing director in Nollywood, grossing over N765 million. He started off as a graphics designer at Wale Adenuga Productions before deciding to pursue filmmaking full time.
His filmography includes ‘This Lady Called Life’, ‘Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story’, and ‘Sugar Rush’. The latter made Winner, a fintech girlie, a fan.
Kasum is also a screenwriter, and Winner asserts it enriches his work as a director. She is enthralled by his ability to capture viewers from beginning to end without an iota of distraction. And to her, that is the most brilliant thing about being a director. So far, Kasum has performed excellently well in her books.
Bolanle Austen-Peters
“She is able to merge an actor and his character.” – Magnificent
Hailed as the “woman pioneering theatre in Nigeria” by CNN, Austen-Peters has also made huge strides in film. The biopic ‘Funmilayo Ransome Kuti’ directed by Austen-Peters is applauded as the all-time highest grossing biopic in West Africa.
Her latest biopic ‘House of Ga’a’ also ranked highly on the streaming platform Netflix. Coincidentally, the movie initiated Magnificent into the Austen-Peters cult. She was struck by the vulnerability a character displayed, which is a rare thing for her.
When Magnificent watched the BTS of the production, she was able to see how Austen-Peters moulded the actor into the character. It made her fall in love with Austen-Peters’ craft.
Dimeji Ajibola
“How he brings his characters from the page to the screen is impeccable.” – Magnificent
Dimeji Ajibola is another exciting director who has steadily gained the audience’s trust for his ability to mix visual spectacle with strong storytelling. Known for his work in action and sci-fi genres, his projects like ‘Ratnik’ and ‘Shanty Town’ stand out.
‘Shanty Town’ is also the movie that got Magnificent excited. As a screenwriter, Magnificent is delighted by directors who can bring the vision of the script to life.
In ‘Shanty Town’, she saw Chidi Mokeme in another light. She had always envisioned him as a superhero, but Ajibola was able to bend him into a villain. The character’s scar still haunts, proof that good work stays with you for aeons.
Jade Osiberu
“She pays attention to details.” – Ike
“All her movies are thought through.” – Faith
Most people’s introduction to Jade Osiberu is through the YouTube series ‘Gidi Up’ or the romantic comedy ‘Isoken’ both of which received critical acclaim. ‘Isoken’ stole Faith’s heart like Law did years ago.
Osiberu’s film ‘Gangs of Lagos’ is the first Nigerian original film set to stream on Amazon Prime Video exclusively. ‘Gangs of Lagos’ caught the eye of many, including Ike, a content creator and reviewer.
‘Gangs of Lagos’ thrilled him, and he is still stunned by the unconventionality of the story. He sees the story in variations every day, but there is a uniqueness Osiberu brings to the story. Ike especially likes that she takes risks. She is not put off by the magnitude of a project.
Faith supports his motion, as she believes Osiberu is hard-working and intentional. According to her, Osiberu’s films are worth every penny.
Gaining the approval of a diverse audience is no small feat, but these Nollywood directors have stood out by doing good work. As they continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, their works spark conversations that resonate long after the film has ended, ensuring their place in Nollywood’s hall of fame.
