Action Xtreme, a UK-based studio focused on action film and series production and the producer of the movie ‘Son Of The Soil,’ has launched a new masterclass series focused on Nigerian screen actors, developed in collaboration with Nile Entertainment and supported by the British Council.
The series will be hosted by Trevor Hakim of the New Black Film Collective, a UK organisation supporting Black filmmakers and creatives through development programmes, screenings, and industry engagement.
The conversations will center on actors’ experiences across different stages of their careers, examining the practical and professional realities of building a career within Nigeria’s film industry.
Rolling out across nine sessions, the first phase features actors featured on ‘Son of the Soil,’ which is currently streaming on Netflix Africa. Participants include Razaaq Adoti, Damilola Ogunsi, Ireti Doyle, Sunshine Rosman, Taye Arimoro, Philip Asaya, Emeka Golden, Sharon Rotimi and Ijelu Folajimi.
Rather than a moderated Q&A format, the sessions are structured as extended conversations, focusing on process, decision-making, and career navigation. Topics covered across the series include script interpretation, character development, audition processes, on-set collaboration, and the increasing role of visibility, publicity, and personal positioning in the Nigerian screen ecosystem.
The programme also situates acting within a broader industry context, including shifts in production volume, evolving distribution pathways and the growing intersection between local storytelling and international audiences.
“This series is about knowledge sharing, inspiration, and visibility,” said Chee Keong Cheung, CEO of Action Xtreme. “By bringing together actors working across the industry, we want to create conversations that reflect both the opportunities and the constraints shaping their work.”
Donna McGowan, Country Director at the British Council Nigeria, said the initiative aligns with the organisation’s focus on professional development and international exchange within the creative industries.
The masterclass series forms part of a wider programme that will extend to directors, producers, and crew in subsequent phases, with a focus on cross-disciplinary exchange between Nigerian and international screen sectors.
At the centre of the first phase is Son of the Soil, produced and directed by Chee Keong Cheung and distributed by Nile Entertainment across Africa. The film has screened at multiple international festivals, including the BlackStar International Film Festival, where it received three awards, as well as the Best of Nollywood Awards and AFRIFF.
According to Nile Entertainment Group CEO Moses Babatope, the series contributes to ongoing conversations around talent development and industry growth, particularly as Nigerian films and performers continue to reach wider international audiences.
The sessions will be released weekly on YouTube and will be available to view globally.
The first episode, featuring Damilola Ogunsi, is now available.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/VRtfMV7YxoY
