| Judith Audu | |
| Birth Name: | Judith Emike Audu |
| Birth Place: | Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Citizenship: | Nigerian |
| Alma Mater: | University of Lagos |
| Occupation: | Film producer, film director, TV producer, TV director, showrunner, actress, casting director, presenter, voice over artiste, blogger, model |
| Years Active: | 2004; 2010–present |
| Notable Works: | Just Not Married |
| Spouse: | Morten Foght |
| Awards: | 2016:Best of Nollywood Awards, Best Actress |
Judith Emike Audu-Foght, professionally known as Judith Audu, is a Nigerian film and television producer, director, casting director, actress, presenter, model and blogger. She is widely known for her movie production credits which include Just Not Married, The Family[1] and The Sessions. In 2019, she was listed among the YNAIJA 100 most Influential Nigerians in Film.[2]
As an award winning Nigerian actress and film maker, she is passionate about social justice and she has been supporting the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since 2019.[3] [4] She also uses her platform to educate on issues relating sexual and gender based violence; this influenced the creation of her film "Not Right" which raises awareness on the domestic violence in Nigerian society and also encourages women to voice out.[5] Judith Audu, been the currently, Nigeria's most sought after young producers in the movie industry; who began her career as an actress and has emerge to be a producer of international reckon. Her first feature film production "Just Not Married" was one of the eight Nollywood movies that was selected which premiered at the Toronto Film Festivals (TIFF) in Canada.[6]
Audu was born in Navy Town, Ojo to a Naval Personnel father;[7] Audu Ali Audu and mother; Gift Salamat Audu. Her mother was a restaurateur and entrepreneur[7] that owned a chain of restaurants and a rental service for events. Judith has two brothers, elder brother Franklin Audu and a younger brother Abdulmalik Audu. She is the second child and only daughter. She is from the Auchi area of Edo State in the southern part of Nigeria.
Audu attended Navy Town Primary School,[8] Ojo, from 1988 to 1993, then proceeded to Navy Town Secondary School from 1993 to 1999, where she majored in the Arts. She then went to the Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry in 2001 and obtained a Diploma that she used in getting a Direct Entry into the University of Lagos in 2002. In 2005, Audu obtained a B.A in French from the University of Lagos.[9] After her National Youth Service (NYSC) In Kebbi State in 2006/2007, She went back to the University of Lagos and applied for master's degree course in Public and International Affairs from 2008 to 2010, where she graduated with a degree in Masters of Public and International Affairs (MPIA).[9]
While at the University of Lagos, Audu joined a theater group[7] called the Campus Playhouse and took part in several stage productions. From there she auditioned to be a part of Theater 15 which was the most respected theater group in the University of Lagos at the time. It was from these theatre groups that Audu honed her acting skills and worked alongside Nigerian television personality Denrele Edun, actor/comedian Koffi and Director Wole Oguntokun.
In 2004, when the University of Lagos went on a ten-month strike,[10] Audu was invited by her colleague Denrele Edun to Alpha Vision Company where she auditioned for and got her first role on the small screen in Tajudeen Adepetu's TV Series, One Love.[10] In the same year, Audu officially registered herself as an actor with the Actor's Guild of Nigeria[11] and began attending auditions, through which she got a role in a Ghetto film by Femi Ogedegbe titled Tears of the Ghetto (Life is beautiful). At the end of the University strike, Audu went back to school and took a hiatus from acting,[10] although she did take a part in an independent children's series, Funtime, where she played the role of Vanessa.
During her compulsory National Youth Service, she was the presenter and producer of a programme on Kebbi State Television called French For Beginners and was also the Drama Troupe Director.[10]
In 2011, after completing her master's degree program, Audu attended an audition for a role in the television drama, Tinsel and got the role of a gynaecologist, she has since been part of several Television Series like Emerald, Seekers, Burning Spears, Tinsel, Huzzel, 4 Walls, Comfort Zone, Rush, Funtime, Life is Beautiful, Case File, House Apart and Queens Drive.
In 2014, Audu produced her first film, a short film on domestic violence titled 'Not Right',[12] which starred Omowunmi Dada, Ani Iyoho, Philip Festus and Judith Audu.
In 2014, Audu began airing a radio show on a popular online radio station, Igroove Radio tagged Meet the Actor With Judith Audu where she does personality chats with Actors from all over the world.[13]
In May 2016, Audu produced and premiered her first ever, full-length feature film, under her production company, Judith Audu Productions. The movie, titled Just Not Married[14] features Stan Nze, Rotimi Salami, Ijeoma Agu, Obutu Roland, Brutus Richard, Gregory Ojefua, Judith Audu and Perpetua Adefemi. The movie enjoyed rave reviews and topped cinema ratings across Nigeria in the first few weeks of its release.[15]
Judith Audu married[10] Morten Foght on 1 July 2011.
Audu is an avid blogger[16] and has two blogs: www.judithaudu.blogspot.com where she profiles up and coming artists and does entertainment news, and the other is www.playingwithrecipes.blogspot.com where she shares food recipes she plays with as she is also a foodie and loves experimenting and trying out recipes from all over the world.
In 2013, she was nominated for the Best Female Actor Award 2013 at the Nigerian Broadcasting Merit Award.[17]
In December 2014, Audu won the award for Best Actress at the In-Short International Film Festival 2014 for her role in the short-film, Alpha Mom.[18]
Audu's short film Not Right, which she produced and starred in was nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards as 'Best Short Film',[19] the film was also nominated at the Best of Nollywood Awards, Nollywood Movie Awards and at the Abuja International Film Festival in 2014.[20]
In 2016, Audu won the award for Best Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards for the movie Just Not Married. Audu won the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (African Film in English) for the movie Obsession at the 22nd African Film Awards in the UK in November 2018,[21] as well as at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival for her role in the movie Unfinished Business.[22]
In February 2020, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) named Audu as a "high profile supporter" for its "Telling the Real Story" (TRS) project.[23]
In April 2021, she was given a recognition award at the Eko Star Film and TV Awards.[24]
She also received a commendation for her work from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in 2021.
| Year | Event | Prize | Film | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Nigerian Broadcasting Merit Award | Best Actress on TV - | Emerald | ||
| 2014 | In-Short International Film Festival | Best Actress | Alpha Mom | ||
| 2016 | Nigerian Models & Achievers Awards | Female Fast Rising Model Actor of the Year | Self | ||
| Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress | Just Not Married | |||
| Abuja International Film Festival | Best Actress | Just Not Married | |||
| City People Movie Awards | Best Movie Producer of the Year | Just Not Married | |||
| ZAFAA Awards | Movie Producer of the Year | Just Not Married | |||
| 2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Supporting Actress of the Year | Self | ||
| The African Film Festival | Best Actress | Self | |||
| Nigeria Achievers Awards | Next Rated Movie Producer of the Year | Self | |||
| Campus Hubb Awards | Best Youth Actress | Self | |||
| 2018 | Starzz Awards | Creative Movie Producer of the Year | Self | ||
| Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Unfinished Business | |||
| African Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Obsession | |||
| ZAFAA Awards | Movie Producer of the Year | The Family | |||
| In-Short International Film Festival | Best Director | Mirabel | |||
| In-Short International Film Festival | Best Short Film | Mirabel | |||
| Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Short Film | Mirabel | |||
| Pearl International Film Festival | Best Non-Ugandan Feature Film | Just Not Married | |||
| 2019 | Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival | Best Nollywood Female Filmmaker | Self | ||
| Best Director Short Film | Mirabel | ||||
| Abuja International Film Festival | Outstanding Feature Film of the Year | The Family | |||
| Golden Movie Awards, Ghana | Best Comedy Film | Bedroom Points | |||
| Golden Movie Awards, Ghana | Best Comedy Film | Bedroom Points | |||
| 2020 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Director of the Year | The Sessions | ||
| Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival | Best Nollywood Director | The Sessions | |||
| Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival | Best Nollywood Actress | The Sessions | |||
| Nollywood Entertainment & Leadership Awards | Best Lead Actor Female | The Family | |||
| The Intellects Giant Awards | Movie Producer of the Year | Self | |||
| Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Social Message | The Sessions | |||
| Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Documentary | Tame the Silent Killer (Documentary on Breast and Cervical Cancer) | |||
| 2021 | Eko Star Film & TV Awards | Producers who make things Happen | Self | ||
| 2022 | Nigerian Women Achievers Awards | Producer of the Year | Self |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Kings Horseman (Elesin Oba) | Producer | A Netflix / EbonyLife Studios Production | ||
| Blood Sisters | Producer | Biyi Bandele / Kenneth Gyang | A Netflix / EbonyLife Studios Production | ||
| Hook Up | Producer | Uyoyou Adia | ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions | ||
| 2022 | The Sessions | Producer | |||
| Shanty Town | Line Producer | Dimeji Ajibola | A Giant Media Studios Production | ||
| Special Friends | Producer | Uyoyou Adia | ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions | ||
| 2020 | The Ring | Producer | Uyoyou Adia | ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions | |
| Nneka the Pretty Serpent | Associate producer | Tosin Igho | A Play Network Studios Production | ||
| Rattlesnake | Line Producer | Ramsey Nouah | A Play Network Studios Production | ||
| The Father | Producer | Uyoyou Adia | A ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions Production | ||
| 2019 | The Sessions | Producer | Judith Audu | Judith Audu Productions | |
| Diary of the Damned | Producer | Judith Audu | A ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions Production | ||
| Tame the Silent Killer (Documentary on Breast and Cervical Cancer) | Producer | Judith Audu | Judith Audu Productions/ Nigerian Ports Authority | ||
| The Family | Producer | Judith Audu | A ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions Production | ||
| 2018 |
| Producer | Uyoyou Adia | Judith Audu Productions | |
| For Priye | Producer | Moyin Ezekiel | A Hi-Impact TV Production | ||
| Nigerian Trade | Production Manager | Jade Osiberu | Produced by Jade Osiberu | ||
| Mirabel | Producer | Judith Audu | A Judith Audu Production | ||
| Like Dominoes | Producer | Judith Audu | A Hi-Impact TV Production | ||
| Bedroom Points | Producer | Judith Audu | A Hi-Impact TV Production | ||
| Shelter | Producer | Moyin Ezekiel | A Hi-Impact TV Production | ||
| 2017 | Walking With Shadows | Production Manager | Aoife O’ Kelly | Produced by Oya Media LTD | |
| Gold Statue | Associate producer | Tade Ogidan | Produced by OGD Pictures/ Solution Media and Infotech | ||
| Stormy Hearts | Producer | Tope Alake | Produced for Iroko / ROK TV | ||
| 2016 | HAKKUNDE | Production Manager | Asurf Oluseyi Amuwa | Produced by Asurf Oluseyi Amuwa | |
| SCORNED | Production Manager | Christiana Martin, Tokunbo Ahmed | Produced by Christiana Martin, Tokunbo Ahmed | ||
| Candle | Production Manager | Taiwo Shittu | Produced by Tamara Eteimo | ||
| 2015 | Hell or High Waters | Production Manager | Asurf Oluseyi Amuwa | Produced by Asurf Oluseyi Amuwa | |
| Just Not Married | Producer | Uduak-Obong Patrick | Produced by Judith Audu | ||
| 2014 | Not Right | Producer | Uduak-Obong Patrick | Produced by Judith Audu |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Mirabel | Director |
| Flipped | Director | |
| Morning Fix | Director | |
| Heart Break | Director | |
| Like Dominoes | Director | |
| Bedroom Points | Director | |
| 2019 | The Sessions | Director |
| The Family | Director | |
| Diary of the Damned | Director |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | One Love | Chika | Wasiu Onitilo | TV series |
| Life is Beautiful | Jossy | Femi Ogedengbe | Feature Film | |
| Hammer | Fela's Girl | Izu Ojukwu | Feature Film/Cameo Appearance | |
| 2006 | Funtime | Vanessa | Nkiru Okonkwo | TV series |
| 2010 | House Apart | Sasha | Tony Enejedu | TV series |
| Huzzel | Jennifer | Davies Obiekea | TV series | |
| 2011 | Tinsel | Gynecologist | Tope Ogun,Victor Aghahowa and George Kura | TV series (Recurring Role) |
| 2012 | The Journey | Wunmi | Femi Adewale | TV series |
| 2013 | Emerald | Mofe | Tope Alake and John Njamah | TV series |
| 4 Walls | Tutu's mother | Short Film | ||
| Yes I Don't | Sheyi | Best Okoduwa | Feature Film | |
| Switch | Sade | Best Okoduwa | Feature Film | |
| Seekers | Dupe | Yemi Remi | TV series | |
| Burning Spears | Omowunmi | Segun Kayode | TV series | |
| Olorogun and Company | Avwebo | Segun Kayode | TV series | |
| Comfort Zone | Nina | Obi Osotule | TV series | |
| Love is Over-rated | Chinelo | Belinda Yanga | Feature Film | |
| 2014 | Stopping Kloe | Evelyn | Ehizojie Ojesebholo | Mnet Original TV Film |
| Alpha Mum | mother | Akin Harrison | Short Film | |
| Out of Fire | Angelina | Ehizojie Ojesebholo | Mnet Original TV Film | |
| Not Right | Funmi | Uduak Obong Patrick | Short Film | |
| A Day with Death | Kulapo | Oluseyi Asurf | Short Film | |
| 2015 | Tales of Eve 5 | Nengu | Imoh Umoren | TV series |
| Mama Osaro Goes Kinky | Ehizojie Ojesebholo | Comedy[25] [26] [27] | ||
| 2016 | Keji Anuola | Uduak-Obong Patrick | Feature Film, Produced by Judith Audu Productions, Blacreek Pictures and Asurf Films | |
| 2019 | The Family | Lead | Judith Audu | Feature Film, Produced by Judith Audu Productions, featuring Omowumi Dada, Judith Audu, Tina Mba, Mofe Duncan, Beverly Osu and more |
| Boss | Uyoyou Adia | Short Film | |
| The Sessions | Elohor | Judith Audu | Feature Film | |
| 2020 | Nneka the Pretty Serpent | Pathologist | Tosin Igho | Feature film |
| For Maria Ebun Pataki | Tola | Damilola Orimogunje |