Meet the Leading Women Transforming Nollywood’s Film Industry
It’s a good time to recognize women who have significantly impacted the film industry. These extraordinary women have transcended boundaries, defied limitations, and contributed immensely to shaping Nollywood’s growth.
Nollywood, being one of the world’s most prolific film industries, has undergone substantial changes since its early days. Female filmmakers have played a pivotal role in this transformation, challenging stereotypes and redefining the portrayal of women in African films.
Their contributions go beyond their individual works, as they have cleared the path for future women in Nollywood, proving that gender is no limitation to excelling in various roles within the industry. If you’re looking to explore Nollywood, films by these outstanding female filmmakers would be a great start.
1. Funke Akindele
Popularly known as Jenifa, Funke Akindele is a powerhouse in Nollywood. As an actress, producer, and director, she dominates the box office with her hit films. She has mastered the art of storytelling, whether she’s on screen, behind the scenes producing, or directing. Her unique use of social media and influencer marketing strategies keeps her audience engaged and eagerly awaiting her next release.
Funke first rose to prominence in her role as Bisi in I Need to Know, but it was her sitcom Jenifa that earned her widespread acclaim and won her the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in 2009. Some of her notable films include Tribe Called Judah (2023’s highest-grossing film), Omo Ghetto: The Saga, She Must Obey, and Jenifa’s Diary.
2. Bolanle Austen-Peters
Bolanle Austen-Peters is a trailblazer in the Nigerian theatre and film scene. A multiple award-winning director, producer, and cultural entrepreneur, she founded BAP Productions and Terra Kulture, a renowned arts and culture center in Lagos. Her work in Nollywood has been groundbreaking. Notably, her biopic on Funmilayo Ransome Kuti became West Africa’s highest-grossing biopic.
Her recent film House of Ga’a quickly climbed Netflix’s Global Top 10 for Non-English Films. She also runs Terra Academy for the Arts, an initiative to empower young filmmakers in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. Her standout works include Bling Lagosians, Man of God, and Collision Course.
3. Biodun Stephen
Known for her family-oriented films, Biodun Stephen is a talented screenwriter, producer, and director. Her use of natural settings and relatable characters brings her stories to life in a powerful way. Many of her films bear unique titles based on the protagonist, like Tiwa’s Baggage, Ovy’s Voice, Ehi’s Bitters, and Sobi’s Mystic.
Stephen, who heads Shutterspeed Projects, won the 2022 AMVCA Award for Best Writer for Introducing the Kujus. That same year, her film Breaded Life was nominated for Best Movie West Africa. Her other films include Looking for Baami, All Shades of Wrong, Seven and a Half Dates, Momiwa, and lot more.
4. Mo Abudu
Mo Abudu is a leading media entrepreneur and the CEO of Ebonylife Group. Since founding her company in 2014, she has been a driving force in Nollywood, launching initiatives like Ebonylife Films, Studios, and Creative Academy. She has executive produced blockbuster films like The Wedding Party, Chief Daddy, and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
Her Netflix series Blood Sisters reached the platform’s global Top 10 shortly after release, while Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022. Mo Abudu has partnered with major international studios, solidifying her influence in the global film industry.
5. Kemi Adetiba
Kemi Adetiba gained widespread acclaim for her political thriller King of Boys and its sequel. Before her rise in filmmaking, Adetiba was well-known for directing music videos for top African artists, including Olamide and Tiwa Savage. Her short film Across a Bloodied Ocean was screened at the Pan African Film Festival and National Black Arts Festival in 2009.
Her debut feature film The Wedding Party opened the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016. Earlier this year, she completed filming her latest feature, To Kill A Monkey, which is expected to premiere soon. Kemi Adetiba has firmly established herself as one of Africa’s top directors, working with major brands and stars.
6. Jade Osiberu
Jade Osiberu, founder of Greoh Studios, is a screenwriter, director, and producer known for her crime thrillers, including Brotherhood and Gangs of Lagos. She also dabbles in romantic comedies like Isoken and Sugar Rush. Gangs of Lagos became the first Nigerian original film to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Osiberu’s Greoh Studios signed a three-year deal with Amazon in 2022 to develop and produce original films and series. This collaboration earned Gangs of Lagos the Best Movie West Africa award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. Her upcoming film Christmas in Lagos is set to release in December 2024. Other notable works include Ayinla, Rumour Has It, and Gidi Up.
7. Toyin Abraham
Toyin Abraham is one of Nollywood’s most beloved and successful actresses, producers, and filmmakers. Toyin started her career as an actress but quickly expanded her talents into producing and directing.
She gained prominence through her starring roles in films like Alakada Reloaded, Fate of Alakada, The Ghost and the Tout, and The Prophetess, which have become major box office hits. In 2022, The Ghost and the Tout Too was one of the highest-grossing films in Nigeria. Her production company, Toyin Abraham Productions, continues to produce films that resonate with a wide audience, blending comedy, drama, and cultural themes.
8. Ruth Kadiri
This list will certainly not be compete withou mentioning Ruth Kadiri, a multifaceted Nollywood talent, excelling as an actress, screenwriter, and producer. She has made a name for herself by creating films that are deeply rooted in African culture and showcase the realities of everyday life.
While Ruth has garnered attention for her acting and screenwriting, she made a decision to focus on creating films for YouTube and that single decision set her apart from her colleagues. This gave her fans direct access to her work. This bold move not only increased her visibility but also made her one of the most influential figures in Nollywood. Today, Ruth Kadiri holds the title of the Nollywood personality with the most YouTube subscribers, and her colleagues are now tapping into YouTube movies for wider reach.