Niyi Akinmolayan’s ambitious plan to revolutionise Nollywood’s casting process has taken a major step forward with the announcement of Omotoke Solarin as the winner of the OneTake script challenge.
The competition, which invited writers to submit a 10-character, 10-page script, came with a juicy ₦500,000 cash prize and, more crucially, the chance to join the production as associate producer. Solarin’s winning script will be developed into a short film, with all casting done via OneTake, Akinmolayan’s new app designed to modernise auditions and create fairer access for actors across Nigeria.
“I found out about the opportunity on Instagram, and a few friends sent the post to me to apply, so I said, Why not?” Solarin said. “I told myself to just give it a try because what if I win? So I wrote my script on Friday and submitted it on Monday.”
Her win is a reminder that a moment or a weekend can change everything. “This win makes me feel like anything is possible for a young filmmaker,” she said. “Most especially those of us that are just starting out. Because I have won this, my next step is to outdo this win and reach higher. So yeah, nothing is impossible for me.”
For Akinmolayan, the OneTake challenge is more than a contest; it’s proof of concept. His goal is to create a casting pipeline where unknown but talented actors and crew can break in based on skill, not connections. The OneTake Pro app allows actors to audition virtually, removing logistical and financial barriers to entry.
“Congratulations @tokesolarin, winner of the @onetakepro_ writing competition!!! And the yummy 500k prize!!! You also get to join the casting process and the actual production as an associate producer on the project!! Can’t wait to meet you!!! Let’s do this!!!” Akinmolayan posted on Instagram.
Hosted on nollywoodfilmmaker.com, the competition tasked writers with keeping their story lean, engaging, and tailored for a one-take production. For Solarin, that challenge became an opportunity, and her success marks the beginning of what Akinmolayan hopes will be a new, scalable future for Nollywood’s talent pipeline.
With the short film going into production soon, all eyes will be on how this experiment plays out, not just as a film but as a new kind of filmmaking ecosystem.
