Chinaza Clara Ezeani’s love affair with acting ignited at a tender age when she was captivated by the on-screen magic of Ini Edo and Jim Iyke in The Cat. Inspired by these actors, she embarked on a creative journey, crafting elaborate sketches that mirrored her favourite characters and movies. Beyond her Nollywood-inspired skits, she quickly stood out for effortlessly taking on different characters, from lover boys to brides and princes, as she revived the nostalgia of the movies we grew up on. Years later, fate intervened. The young dreamer’s aspirations materialised when she landed her debut acting role in James…
Author: Inemesit Udodiong
Read More
For fast-rising filmmakers, the Trailblazer Award from the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), presented by MultiChoice, is the ultimate recognition in Nollywood. This revered title is dedicated to remarkable, promising actors, actresses, and filmmakers with undeniable talent. The award is not merely about their current work but also their potential for future success. Trailblazer winners are stars in the making, with a trajectory that suggests long-term success and influence. Decoding The Trailblazer Award Following Chimezie Imo’s win this year, this category has sparked more curiosity and interest. To understand this category better, we spoke to some culture journalists who…
“This In Bloom anthology is not really for women. It’s actually for men. I hope men look at Simi and feel what she’s feeling. Ask yourself how you can best support the women in your life,” Folu Storms states emphatically as she settles down for an exclusive interview with What Kept Me Up. The actress plays the lead in Afefe, a short film from In Bloom, created by MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, Paramount’s Content for Change initiative and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was recently released in celebration of Women’s History Month. The five-part anthology is…
Chiemeka Osuagwu is officially making his feature directorial debut with Showmax’s latest Nigerian Original, Dead of Night. Released on March 22, this new project is the platform’s first Nigerian horror movie. Set in the quiet Ekeoba village, the gripping story follows the robbery plan of three teenage girls, Chinaza, Onyi, and Ihuoma, which takes a terrifying turn when they become trapped in an abandoned mansion with dark secrets. Haunted by mysterious forces, they must navigate a horror labyrinth to escape the clutches of Onwu, an evil entity determined to claim their souls. The three ladies are played by fresh faces in…
Since its world premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in January 2023, CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s Mami Wata has become a global hit, garnering critical acclaim at festivals worldwide. The award-winning West African folktale eventually made its way home in September 2023, screening in Nigerian cinemas for only three weeks before heading to the UK. While the streaming details for Nigeria are yet to be announced, the director has stated that the movie is currently available on various streaming platforms to the global audience. Fans can also look out for the Blu-ray with exclusive footage, behind-the-scenes footage, and audio commentary. Here is where you…
Following an entertaining season 2, Showmax has announced the premiere date of the much-awaited reunion of The Real Housewives of Lagos. The reunion will be hosted by seasoned media personality Latasha Ngwube, whose career spans two decades. She will guide the housewives as they spill the tea, address burning questions, and possibly settle some scores. On what to expect from the reunion, “As the first woman to ever host The Real Housewives reunion in Africa and as a huge fan of the show, getting to discuss some of my favourite moments and ask those burning questions thrills me. Expect it all! Big…
On Sunday, March 24, 2024, the organisers of the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) announced the nominees for this year’s edition. Tolu Ajayi’s Over the Bridge emerged as the breakout star of the night, leading with 12 nominations, including Best Director, Best Movie, and Best Lead Actress. C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s globe-trotting West African folktale Mami Wata came in second place with 11 nominations, followed by Breath of Life and Jagun Jagun (The Warrior) with 10 nominations each. Following heavy criticism of the award ceremony’s voting method last year, the 10th edition has a few changes. This time, the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and…
After watching Taiwo Egunjobi’s third feature film, A Green Fever, you may have some nagging questions. Set in the 80s, the movie follows an architect, Kunmi Braithwaite (Temilolu Fosudo), whose daughter has fallen ill with green fever. He seeks help at Colonel Bashiru’s (William Benson) secluded house, and by the end of the film, no one is who they claim to be, leaving some viewers with unresolved issues. In this exclusive interview with What Kept Me Up, the writer Isaac Ayodeji and the lead Temilolu Fosudo, frequent collaborators of the director, answer some burning questions and offer insight into the…
When Babatunde Apalowo set out to make his debut feature film, All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White, he had one destination in mind – Berlinale. “For me, Berlinale was the goal, there are just quite very few film festivals that are as big as Berlinale,” he told WhatKeptMeUp. “The kind of films they accept felt like what All The Colours could be even at an early stage.” In comes Damilola Orimogunje, the producer, a close friend and no stranger to the festival circuit. The two met at a script-writing competition in 2014 and bonded over…
Babatunde Apalowo Teases ‘Londoner’ Ahead of 2024 Berlinale Co-Production Market Following an impressive worldwide festival run with All The Colours of The World Are Between Black and White that began with a global premiere at the 2023 Berlinale, Babatunde Apalowo is set to return to the prestigious film festival next month. The director’s upcoming title, a first for a Nigerian, has been selected as one of the 34 film projects from 27 countries across the globe (chosen from 318 submissions) for the 21st Berlinale Co-Production Market, to take place from February 17-21. Capturing “Taboo”: Babatunde Apalowo on Delivering a Queer…