Niyi Akinmolayan
Niyi Akinmolayan is a Nigerian film-maker, director and media consultant. He is best known for directing the highest grossing Nigerian film of all time, "The Wedding Party 2", which starred Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi and Enyinna Nwigwe; it was a sequel to the equally successful film "The Wedding Party" (2016). He is the founder and Creative Director of Anthill Productions, a media production facility. Early life. Akinmolayan is from Ondo State, South West Nigeria and is of Yoruba descent. He began a degree in engineering at the Yaba College of Technology, Early career. At the start of  his professional career, Akinmolayan worked as a graphic designer, website designer, and as an apprentice to Nollywood filmmakers, during this time, he began to hone his skills in video editing, animations, after effects and visual effects. His debut film titled "Kajola", released in 2010, was an experiment in visual effects, but was panned by film makers and critics alike. Akinmolayan had set up his production company, Anthill Productions in 2008, which provided the visual effects for the movie "Kajola". Later career. In 2014, he directed the Nigerian dance movie "Make a Move" which starred Ivie Okujaye, Tina Mba, Beverly Naya , Wale Adebayo, Victor Godfery, Helga Sosthenes and Eno Ekpenyong. The movie was nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for "Best Movie (Drama)". 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 for her role in "Falling". In December 2016, Akinmolayan  released a short film titled "PlayThing" a 3D animated movie, which was premiered at the FilmOne IMAX cinema in Lagos to rave reviews. In 2017, his movie "The Arbitration" featuring O.C Ukeje and Adesua Etomi was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. Following the success of "The Arbitration", Akinmolayan began a competition on his blog for prospective writers, receiving over 300 entries, it led to the production of the short film "Room 315". In 2017, due to the successful reception of "Plaything", Akinmolayan produced an animated series in collaboration with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, titled ""Adventures of Lola and  Chuchu"". Filmography. Selected Filmography