| Niyi Akinmolayan | |
| Birth Date: | 3 November 1982 |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Citizenship: | Nigerian |
| Education: | Engineering, Yaba College of Technology |
| Alma Mater: | Yaba College of Technology |
| Spouse: | Victoria Akujobi |
| Occupation: | Filmmaker |
| Notable Works: | Chief Daddy Prophetess The Wedding Party 2 |
| Years Active: | 2010–present |
Niyi Akinmolayan is a Nigerian filmmaker and director[1] and one of Nollywood’s most successful hitmakers. Five of his films rank in the top 50 highest grossing Nigerian films: The Wedding Party 2 (2017) Chief Daddy (2018), Prophetess (2021), My Village People (2021), and The Set Up (2019). He is also the founder and Creative Director of Anthill Studios, a media production facility. In January 2022, Anthill Studios signed a multi-year deal with Amazon Prime Video to become the exclusive global streaming home for Anthill’s slate of cinema releases following their theatrical runs in Nigeria.[2]
Akinmolayan was born on 3 November 1982.[3] He is from Ondo State, South West Nigeria and is of Yoruba descent. He began a degree in engineering at the Yaba College of Technology.
At the start of his professional career, Akinmolayan worked as a graphic designer, website designer, and apprentice to Nollywood filmmakers. During that time, he began to hone his skills in video editing, animations, after effects and visual effects.[4] His debut film titled Kajola, released in 2010, was an experiment in visual effects,[5] but was panned by filmmakers and critics alike.[6]
Akinmolayan set up his production company, Anthill Productions, in 2008, which provided the visual effects for the movie Kajola.[5] [7]
In 2014, he directed the Nigerian dance movie Make a Move which starred Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfrey, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong. The movie was nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie (Drama).[8]
In 2015, Akinmolayan also directed the movies Falling featuring Adesua Etomi, Desmond Elliot and Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Out of Luck which featured Linda Ejiofor, Tope Tedela and Jide Kosoko. The film went on to earn Akinmolayan a nomination for Best Director at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and lead actress Adesua Etomi won the award for Best Actress at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
In December 2016, Akinmolayan released a short film titled PlayThing, a 3D animated movie, which premiered at the FilmOne IMAX cinema in Lagos, to rave reviews.[9]
In 2017, his movie The Arbitration featuring O.C Ukeje and Adesua Etomi was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.[10] Following the film's success, Akinmolayan began a competition on his blog for prospective writers, receiving over 300 entries, which led to the production of the short film Room 315.[11]
In 2017, due to the successful reception of Plaything, Akinmolayan produced an animated series in collaboration with Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, titled Adventures of Lola and Chuchu.[12] In 2019, Akinmolayan executive produced Malika: Warrior Queen, a Nigerian animated film based on the graphic novel from Roye Okupe, writer and CEO of YouNeek Studios.[13]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Major cast | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kajola | Keira Hewatch, Desmond Elliot, Adonijah Owiriwa | Director | Feature film |
| 2014 | Make a Move | Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya, Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfery, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong | Director | Feature film nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie (Drama) |
| 2015 | Falling | Adesua Etomi, Desmond Elliot and Blossom Chukwujekwu | Director | Feature Film |
| 2016 | Plaything | Executive producer | 3D animated short film | |
| 2017 | The Arbitration | OC Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle and Somkele Iyamah | Director | Feature film, available on Netflix |
| 2017 | The Wedding Party 2 | Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Patience Ozokwor, Enyinna Nwigwe | Director | Feature film |
| 2017 | Adventures of Lola and Chuchu | Director | 3D animated series - 13 episodes | |
| 2018 | Chief Daddy | Taiwo Obileye, Joke Silva, Rachel Oniga and Funke Akindele | Director | Feature film |
| We Don't Live Here Anymore | Osas Ighodaro, Omotunde Adebowale David, Francis Sule, Temidayo Akinboro, Funlola Aofiyebi, Katherine Obiang | Editor | Feature film | |
| 2019 | The Set Up | Adesua Etomi, Kehinde Bankole, Joke Silva, Jim Iyke, Dakore Egbuson, Tina Mba | Director | Feature film |
| Elevator Baby | Toyin Abraham, Timini Egbuson, Yemi Solade, Sambasa Nzeribe, Broda Shaggi | Executive producer | Feature film | |
| 2021 | Prophetess | Director, writer | Sports comedy film | |
| Progressive Tailors Club | Beverly Osu, Uzor Arukwe, Funnybone, and Blessing Jessica Obasi | Producer | Satirical film | |
| 2023 | Mikolo | Director and screenwriter | Family fantasy adventure film | |