5 Nigerian Filmmakers You Need to Know

A guide to director Femi Oladiboglu’s top five filmmakers across the Nigerian diaspora.

Somesuch affiliate Femi Oladiboglu is a Nigerian south London-based director. He's worked across a range of music videos, creating dynamic shorts for the likes of Pa Salieu, Jorja Smith and Ghetts. His surrealistic style elevates scenes of everyday life across London, and he often incorporates sharp camera movements when focusing on his subjects in a dark room in order to build speed and add pace to his work.

The director has recently ventured outside of directing music videos, turning his hand to creating his first short film instead. Entitled OBA, it's appeared at various film festivals and we're premiering it online exclusively tomorrow (26 January). The film is an Afrofuturist offering that explores traditional Yoruba deities. It follows a young man in a Nigerian village who's been chosen as the successor to the late king.

Ahead of the premiere, we asked Oladiboglu to curate a guide to his favourite filmmakers across the Nigerian diaspora. If you don't know these filmmakers already, scroll down and get to know.

01

Tomision Adepeju

I'm a big fan of Tomision's work, he truly embodies the essence of a filmmaker. His profound understanding of film consistently astounds me, and there's an undeniable authenticity and truth woven into every frame he creates. The themes he delves into align closely with my own interests. One standout piece that left a lasting impression on me is The Good Son. I stumbled upon this film long before I knew of Tomision and its brilliance was evident.

02

Renee Maria Osubu

Renee Maria Osubu is an exceptionally gifted filmmaker; her work exudes authenticity and poetic brilliance, meticulously presented with thoughtful consideration. Her style resonates deeply with me, and her keen eye for cinematography elevates her storytelling. She has a great documentary called Dear Philadelphia but I would love to share her work for Jords’ Dirt in the Diamond. One of my favourite films from last year.

03

John Ogunmuyiwa

John Ogunmuyiwa is another great filmmaker who has made a variety of great films. What I love about his work is you never know where it’s going, but there is always so much heart and warmth at the core of the stories that make you feel great after watching. My pick of his films is Precious Hair and Beauty – his latest short film, which is brilliant.

04

Abraham Adeyemi

Abraham Adeyemi is a talented writer-director whose storytelling prowess stands out. I'm particularly drawn to his ability to delve into the essence of his characters, unravelling their wishes and desires in a natural manner. His exploration of themes is truly captivating. Although he has recently made another outstanding short, I'm eager to share his first triumph at the Tribeca Film Festival – No More Wings. A gem that showcases his talent.

05

Yemi Bamiro

Yemi Bamiro has crafted what I consider one of my all-time favourite documentaries. Personally, it holds immense significance for me, recounting the incredible Nigerian team that I grew up watching as they faced off against some of the world's footballing giants. So well crafted I was smiling the whole way through the film and learnt a lot too. A compelling and must-watch documentary, available here.