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Red Circle marks a turning point as the first feature film from Rixel Studios, a company Nora Awolowo founded at the age of nineteen. “This film was born out of me and the team wanting to leave our comfort zone,” the filmmaker says in an interview with What Kept Me Up, alongside Abdul Tijani-Ahmed and Akay Mason. “We wanted to tell a story drawn from everyday Nigerian life, something close to my heart.”
After stepping into the limelight with her 2019 documentary Life at the Bay, Awolowo, an Accounting graduate, set up her visual storytelling company, specializing in personal projects and commissioned work for clients like Walt Disney x NatGeo, ActionAid International, and GitHub. These, together with her cinematography on projects such as Lisabi: The Uprising and The Order of Things, and her directorial work under Rixel for FIFA’s Nigeria: The Debut, and Canon’s AMVCA-nominated short film What Are You Truly Afraid Of?, have made Awolowo a firm believer in collaboration.
“We (Rixel Studios) are big on collaboration because two heads are always better than one, especially if you want to go far in film,” she explains. “It takes a village to do anything, even commercials.” So, as soon as she got the idea for Red Circle in 2022, she started assembling her “village.”
The first person she pitched it to was Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, a good friend and the writer behind Nollywood hits, Brotherhood and Skinny Girl in Transit. He didn’t just agree to write the script; he later became involved in casting and crew selection too. “I ended up asking him, ‘Why not just come onboard as a co-producer for this film?’” she says with a laugh. “And again, he agreed.”
“I think one big thing we realized is that everything you need is already around you,” Tijani-Ahmed says, reflecting on why he accepted her offer and his experiences behind the scenes. “Like your friends. You don’t always need someone outside or someone bigger than you to rely on. I mean, it is important for guidance, but you can actually do great things with the people in your circle. That is one of the main ideas behind Red Circle.”
This collaborative idea came into play again when it was time to select the next person to join the circle: a director for their film. However, it would take the duo a year to green-light pre-production, kicking off with a 5-day writers’ room with some of their other friends: Fatimah Binta Gimsay (Alli Eid Dinner), Uyoyou Adia (Hey You!), Stephen Okonkwo (Ajosepo), and Akay Mason (Elevator Baby), who have all worked in various corners of Nollywood from mainstream theatrical projects to web series and TV serials.
“I still remember the day Nora and Abdul asked me to direct Red Circle,” Akay Mason recounts. “We had just wrapped up the writers’ room when they called me aside. I was really excited because, you know, when you’re in a writers’ room and you’re a director as well, you’re looking at the story development and already seeing how it can play out on screen. So, I was already praying, ‘God, I hope these guys ask me to direct because this is going to be a mad film.’”
The energy that Abdul and Nora were bringing to the table was one of his biggest reasons for taking on the project. “I knew that this was something special. Like a moving train that was going to leave with or without me, because these guys challenge everyone who works with them to perform at a certain level. Also, it’s really special when you’re given opportunities by your “guys.” I can’t wait for everybody to see the film because we set great standards on set and throughout the production. Excellence was the energy Nora brought to the entire project.”
From development to the final day in the editing room, Red Circle’s production lasted about three years, which required a powerhouse like Awolowo to keep the momentum flowing. “It starts with asking, ‘What’s the project idea?’ Then, we (the Rixel team) try to flesh out the scope,” she describes her process of sustaining energy, and it sounds pretty simple. At least in theory. “As a studio head, choosing who will be at the forefront of each project is very important, so we also consider, ‘Who do we think can fit the role out of those we have long-term relationships with?”
She clarifies, “It made sense to reach out to Abdul because I didn’t want someone who would make me feel like I was pushing them to do the job. I was already going to be shooting and producing, so I wanted somebody who could also take charge on set. With Akay, we were already fortunate to have a fantastic director in our writers’ room, a brilliant one at that.” She continues to break down her method, “Also, I’d already worked with Folu Storms (who plays Red Circle’s lead character) before, because I was one of the crew members on the set of Baby Farm. But this was our first time working together personally.”
In Red Circle, Storms portrays the role of Fikayo Holloway, an investigative journalist whose pursuit of a powerful Lagos crime syndicate puts her life in grave danger. The actress made such a lasting impression that Awolowo reached out to her again. “When I was commissioned by Canon to shoot What Are You Really Afraid Of? (2024), because of the prior relationship and professionalism that Folu brought to the set of Red Circle, it was easier to call her up and say, ‘Oh, I’m doing something smaller but more experimental than Red Circle. Is this something that excites you?’ And guess what, she came on that project as a producer too, and our short film was nominated for AMVCA.”
Such industry bonds and connections are a huge driving force behind Rixel Studios and the Red Circle production. But as much as Awolowo likes to leverage her relationships with those who have proven themselves capable, she also knows when to return to the drawing board—literally—and bring in fresh talent.
“When it came to casting, we had a board,” director Mason reveals. “Anytime an actor popped into our minds, we’d write down their names. After developing the story, we revisited that board and started an elimination process. You know, the industry is quite small, so we have relationships with some of these people, but that didn’t really factor into the casting. It was about what was right and the best actor for each character.” The final lineup for the crime thriller features Bukky Wright, Tobi Bakre, Timini Egbuson, Omowunmi Dada, Femi Branch, Mike Afolarin, Lateef Adedimeji, and Debo “Mr. Macaroni” Adebowale, alongside Storms.
“We knew what we wanted to do, and we tried to do things differently, even in terms of marketing,” Tijani-Ahmed chips in. With engaging promotional rollouts—like a dedicated fan waitlist, exclusive giveaways of branded items (including tickets to Sporting Lagos vs. Madiba FC match), and heartfelt content from the cast and crew through newsletters and carefully crafted videos—the Red Circle team’s biggest goal isn’t just to draw attention to their fast-approaching June 6th theatrical release.
They want to forge a lasting connection with their audience, something well beyond the scope of the movie that will show others in Nollywood that teaming up and finding fresh ways to connect with fans isn’t just possible, it’s the way forward for young storytellers and industry professionals. “So far, our biggest feedback is that no film has been marketed this way in Nollywood,” Tijani-Ahmed adds. “That’s amazing because at the end of the day, this film was made by community.”
Indeed, there’s a long list of people behind the film, starting with friends and family. “Behind the scenes, there were creative people like Fatimah Binta Gimsay (also serving as Rixel’s Public Relations Coordinator), Chris Udomi (Rixel’s production designer), Iremhen Ilozobhie (Rixel’s creative director), and our line producer, Nicole Ofoegbu,” Awolowo shares. “While we were shooting, a couple of industry allies also reached out to encourage us. Honestly, the amount of money I got was surprising.”
Brands like Pesa, Knorr, Close Up, Chowdeck, and Alt School have also stepped in to support the film, which will be distributed by Nile Group, with Fusion Intelligence at the helm of advanced ticketing. It’s a remarkable outpour of backing for a first-time feature, a reflection of the scale of Awolowo’s ambition. To her, growth is a reward of that ambition. Moreover, one of the running taglines used in the Red Circle promotion is “Ambition has a Price.”
“‘Ambition has a Price’ is really about Fikayo choosing to find her voice in a world trying to silence her,” Awolowo explains. “But personally, I’ve had to deprive myself of a lot—things like traveling more, changing my car, buying a house in Lagos, or even doing my Master’s. Instead, I’m putting all my money and energy into creating and putting in the work. Even with marketing this film, it’s like saying, ‘I believe in this, so I’m backing it with my own resources.’ That’s a huge leap of faith, and I hope all this delayed gratification pays off. Not just for me, but for everyone who’s part of this project.”
For Tijani-Ahmed, the price of ambition is uncertainty. “The world doesn’t give you creativity for free,” he claims, “it takes something in return. As creatives, we pay with mental health, financial risks, and the sacrifices we make without knowing if it’ll all work out. For example, my Chemical Engineering degree is gathering dust while I’m here making films. But that’s the price I’ve chosen to pay.”
Director Mason fully agrees with him, adding, “I’m trying not to sound too dramatic, but the truth is, ambition comes with a toll on your mental health, your social life, everything. I dropped out of Unilag, spent three years in South Africa, then worked with Niyi Akinmolayan for four years. That’s eight years of grinding toward a long-term goal. I might not get to where I want to be until my late thirties or forties, but I’ve accepted that. The journey is long, and the sacrifices are plenty—but it’s worth it.”
Together, the trio sees Red Circle not just as a film but as a legacy. At its core, it’s about young people leading powerful, culture-shaping work despite the challenges, and they hope it inspires others to take charge, build community, and spark bold conversations. “We wanted the voice of every young person to count, especially those who worked on this project,” Awolowo admits, “and I hope that comes through to the audience. And that most people eventually watch it at the box office.”
While the three filmmakers don’t have immediate plans for more joint projects, Rixel Studios is just getting started. “We’ve got a whole slate of exciting projects lined up for the next few years,” Awolowo promises. “People should definitely keep an eye out.” For now, they are focusing on campaigns for their first feature film.
“A lot of people have really put in the work,” Mason says. “So when we talk about Red Circle, the conversation should also be about the intention behind it, from the effort in production design, wardrobe—special credit goes to the (Rixel) team there—to the actors, and of course, Abdul. All the departments were brilliant, and I think that high level of care is the real price of achieving great things.”
It’s a sentiment Awolowo deeply connects with. For her, the journey is just as important as the outcome. And it all revolves around the people. “You don’t become a professional overnight. The friends you start out with may be finding their feet, but they grow into the professionals who eventually sit at the tables where big decisions are made. So, it’s good to work with your friends and grow with them.”
Red Circle hits cinemas nationwide on June 6th, with a UK release slated for June 20th.
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