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{{short description|Nigerian actor, director and producer (born 1975)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Kunle Afolayan
| name = Kunle Afolayan
| image = Kunle Afolayan Figurine.jpg
| image = Kunle Afolayan.jpg
| caption = Kunle Afolayan on the set of ''[[The Figurine]]''
| caption = Afolayan at the [[2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards]]
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1975|09|30}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thenationonlineng.net/new/its-kunle-afolayans-birthday/ | title=Its Kunle Afolayan's birthday | publisher=The Nation| access-date=24 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007141051/http://thenationonlineng.net/new/its-kunle-afolayans-birthday/ | archive-date=7 October 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Nigeria]]
| birth_place = [[Ebute Metta|Ebute Metta, Lagos, Lagos State]], Nigeria
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Actor]]|[[Film director|Director]]|[[Film producer|Producer]]}}
| residence = [[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]
| nationality = Nigerian
| occupation = [[Actor]], [[Film director|Director]], [[Film producer|Producer]]
| citizenship =
| nationality = Nigerian
| spouse = {{marriage|Tolu Afolayan|2007|2019|end=divorce}}
| citizenship = Nigerian
| partner =
| ethnicity = [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]]
| years_active =
| children = 4
| spouse = Tolu Afolayan
| parents = [[Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan]] (Ade Love - father)
| relatives = [[Moji Afolayan]] (sister)<br>[[Gabriel Afolayan]] (brother)<br>[[Aremu Afolayan]] (brother)<br>[[Anu Afolayan]] (brother)
| partner =
| known_for = Saworoide, Agogo Ewo, Phone Swap, 1 October
| children = three
| parents = Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan (Ade Love - father)
| alma_mater = New York Film Academy
| relatives =
| yearsactive = 1999-Present
}}
}}
'''Kunle Afolayan''' {{Pronunciation|Kunle Afolayan.ogg|listen|(|help=no}} (born 30 September, 1975) is a [[Nigerians|Nigerian]] [[actor]], [[Film producer|producer]], and [[Film director|director]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2017 |title=Kunle Afolayan set to release 'ROTI' |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/kunle-afolayan-set-release-roti/ |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-US}}</ref> He is credited for elevating the quality of [[Nollywood]] movies through larger budgets, shooting on 35mm, releasing in [[Movie theater|cinemas]], and improving cliché Nollywood storylines.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2012 |title=Out of Africa: Kunle Afolayan bids to bring Nollywood cinema to the world |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/oct/30/kunle-afolayan-nollywood-cinema |access-date=19 November 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> After starting his film career as an actor in the 1999 political drama ''[[Saworoide]]'', Afolayan made his directorial debut in 2006 with ''[[Irapada]]'', a Nigerian [[supernatural]] [[Thriller film|thriller]], which won the [[Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=He is Kunle Afolayan |url=https://blog.mipad.org/he-is-kunle-afolayan/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=blog.mipad.org}}</ref> His subsequent directing credits include ''[[The Figurine]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=nyfa |title=NYFA Graduate's Film Sweeps African Academy Awards |url=https://www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/nyfa-graduates-film-sweeps-african-academy-awards/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=NYFA |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Phone Swap]]'', ''[[October 1 (film)|October 1]],'' and ''[[Citation (film)|Citation.]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Europe |first=Canon |title=Kunle Afolayan on filming Citation |url=https://www.canon-europe.com/pro/stories/kunle-afolayan-citation/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Canon Europe |language=en-EU}}</ref>


''October 1'' was the winner of 16 major African movie awards in 2015 and was the [[List of highest-grossing films in Nigeria|second highest grossing Nigerian film]] at the time of its release, a feat Afolayan was to repeat two years later with ''[[The CEO]]''. In 2021, the director signed a three-picture deal with [[Netflix]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grater |first=Tom |date=10 March 2021 |title=Netflix Partners With Nigerian Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan On 3 Features |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/netflix-partners-nigerian-filmmaker-kunle-afolayan-3-features-1234711156/ |access-date=19 November 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Swallow (2021 film)|''Swallow'']], the screen adaption of [[Sefi Atta]]'s book by the same name was the first to be released in October 2021, followed by ''[[Aníkúlápó]],'' an epic Nigerian [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] released in September 2022. Afolayan has described the work as a "[[Game of Thrones]] recreated in Nigeria but with a better representation of our culture”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2 August 2022 |title=Kunle Afolayan's Film "Anikulapo" is Coming to Netflix on September 30! |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/08/kunle-afolayan-netflix-anikulapo/ |access-date=19 November 2022 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}}</ref>  Eleven days after its release, it was the #1 most-watched non-English Netflix original film.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=YNaija |last2=YNaija |date=12 October 2022 |title=Aníkúlápó ranks No.1 globally on Netflix |url=https://ynaija.com/anikulapo-ranks-no-1-globally-on-netflix/ |access-date=19 November 2022 |website=YNaija |language=en-GB}}</ref>
'''Kunle Afolayan''' is a [[Nigeria]]n actor and director. He is the son of the famous theater and film director and producer [[Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan|Ade Love]]. He is of [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] descent.<ref name="tportal.hr">http://www.tportal.hr/showtime/film/125163/Mi-smo-nova-filmska-revolucija.html</ref><ref name=234next>http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/ArtsandCulture/Film/5481791-147/story.csp</ref> Afolayan majored in economics. Since 2005 he has been active in the [[Cinema of Nigeria|Nigerian film industry]]. He has made several extremely popular titles including: ''[[The Figurine|The Figurine: Araromire]]'' which was in the [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]] and [[English language]]s and ''[[Phone Swap]]'' which featured [[Nse Ikpe Etim]] and the legendary [[Chika Okpala]]. ''The Figurine'' won five major awards in the [[African Movie Academy Award|African Film Academy]] and experienced tremendous success in the Nigerian movie theaters.<ref name="tportal.hr"/>


==Early life and career==
Kunle Afolayan appeared at the [[Subversive Film Festival]] in 2011 where he represented the second largest film industry in the world, the Nigerian film industry, with his colleague Zeb Ejiro.<ref name="tportal.hr" /> In May 2013, ''Phone Swap'' premiered in France at the first edition of NollywoodWeek Paris and won the Public Choice Award.<ref name="Nollywoodweek">http://www.Nollywoodweek.com</ref>
Afolayan is of [[Igbomina]]-[[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] descent and is from [[Kwara State]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://thenationonlineng.net/kunle-afolayan-on-the-trail-of-yoruba-deities/ | title=Kunle Afolayan on the trail of Yoruba deities | magazine=The Nation | date=22 December 2012 | access-date=18 December 2015 | author=Akande, Victor | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222084310/http://thenationonlineng.net/kunle-afolayan-on-the-trail-of-yoruba-deities/ | archive-date=22 December 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tportal.hr">{{cite web|url=http://www.tportal.hr/showtime/film/125163/Mi-smo-nova-filmska-revolucija.html|title='Mi smo nova filmska revolucija'|work=www.tportal.hr|access-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108065814/http://www.tportal.hr/showtime/film/125163/Mi-smo-nova-filmska-revolucija.html|archive-date=8 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=234next>{{cite web|url=http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/ArtsandCulture/Film/5481791-147/story.csp|title=234Next.com|access-date=18 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217105104/http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/ArtsandCulture/Film/5481791-147/story.csp|archive-date=17 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the son of theatre and [[film director]] [[Ade Love]]. He majored in economics and started out working in a bank while doing some casual acting before deciding to move into full-time [[filmmaking]] and taking a course at the [[New York Film Academy]].<ref name=234next /> Since 2005, he has been active in the [[Cinema of Nigeria|Nigerian film industry]]. He has made several films, including ''[[The Figurine|The Figurine: Araromire]],'' which was in the [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]] and [[English language]]s, and ''[[Phone Swap]],'' which featured [[Wale Ojo]], [[Joke Silva]], [[Nse Ikpe Etim]] and [[Chika Okpala]]. ''The Figurine'' won five major awards in the [[Africa Movie Academy Award|African Film Academy]].<ref name="tportal.hr"/>


Afolayan appeared at the [[Subversive Film Festival]] in 2011, where he represented the Nigerian film industry<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/nollywood_rivals_bollywood_in_filmvideo_production/|title=Nollywood rivals Bollywood in film/video production|date=5 May 2009|publisher=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331115408/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/nollywood_rivals_bollywood_in_filmvideo_production/|archive-date=31 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> with his colleague [[Zeb Ejiro]].<ref name="tportal.hr" /> In May 2013, ''Phone Swap'' premiered in [[France]] at the first edition of NollywoodWeek Paris and won the Public Choice Award.<ref name="Nollywoodweek">{{cite web|url=http://www.Nollywoodweek.com|title=NollywoodWeek Paris|work=nollywoodweek.com|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006230520/http://www.nollywoodweek.com/|archive-date=6 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Early life==
Afolayan's father [[Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan]] (Ade-Love) was a renowned Nigerian artist of the second half of the 20th century. He worked in traveling theater and turned to the film making industry.<ref name="youtube.com">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZAT1farmaM</ref> Afolayan's father felt strongly about education and therefore Afolayan completed his studies in accounting.<ref name="youtube.com"/>


==Personal life==
He started out working in a bank while doing some casual acting, before deciding to move into full-time filmmaking and taking a course at the [[New York Film Academy]].<ref name=234next />
Afolayan married Tolu Afolayan in 2007, and they have four children.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/03/08/kunle-afolayan-does-our-government-consider-us-worthy-citizens-of-nigeria/ | title=Kunle Afolayan: "Does our Government consider Us worthy Citizens of Nigeria?" | date=8 March 2014 | publisher=bellanaija.com | access-date=22 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006155830/http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/03/08/kunle-afolayan-does-our-government-consider-us-worthy-citizens-of-nigeria/ | archive-date=6 October 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> Their marriage ended in 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dailypost.ng/2014/03/07/work-hard-im-still-tenant-kunle-afolayan-relocate-nigeria/ | title=I work too hard but i'm still a tenant" – Kunle Afolayan to relocate from Nigeria | date=7 March 2014 | publisher=dailypost.ng | access-date=22 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006121310/http://dailypost.ng/2014/03/07/work-hard-im-still-tenant-kunle-afolayan-relocate-nigeria/ | archive-date=6 October 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> He identifies as a [[Free-thinker|Freethinker]].<ref name="ilorin Info">{{cite web | url=http://www.ilorin.info/fullnews.php?id=8319 | title=Dad didn't encourage his children to act -Kunle Afolayan | publisher=Ilorin Info | date=21 October 2013 | access-date=18 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085300/http://www.ilorin.info/fullnews.php?id=8319 | archive-date=22 December 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Golden Effects Pictures==
Afolayan is the CEO of Golden Effects Pictures, a Nigerian film and [[production company]] incorporated in 2005.<ref name="CEOunveil">{{Cite web|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/the-ceo-kunle-afolayan-unveils-cast-of-multi-lingual-movie/|title=The CEO: Kunle Afolayan unveils cast of multi-lingual movie|date=29 August 2015|publisher=[[The Nation (Nigeria)|The Nation]]|language=en-US|access-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118164908/http://thenationonlineng.net/the-ceo-kunle-afolayan-unveils-cast-of-multi-lingual-movie/|archive-date=18 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thenet.ng/net-special-2014-most-influential-people-in-entertainment/|title=NET Special: 2014 Most influential people in entertainment|date=17 November 2014|website=Nigerian Entertainment Today|language=en-GB|access-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122094540/http://thenet.ng/net-special-2014-most-influential-people-in-entertainment/|archive-date=22 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/nollywood-powerful-tool-soft-diplomacy-audu-kadiri-34487|title=Nollywood powerful tool for "soft" diplomacy – Audu Kadiri|last=Nigeria|first=News Agency of|date=19 November 2017|website=TODAY.NG|language=en-US|access-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110059/https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/nollywood-powerful-tool-soft-diplomacy-audu-kadiri-34487|archive-date=30 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The company's feature films include ''Irapada'', ''The Figurine'', ''Phone Swap'',<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2012/04/his-new-movie-phone-swap-beat-hollywood-blockbusters-in-nigerian-cinemas-find-out-how-award-winning-filmmaker-kunle-afolayan-did-it/|title=His New Movie "Phone Swap" Beat Hollywood Blockbusters in Nigerian Cinemas: Find Out How Award Winning Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan Did It!|date=19 April 2012|website=BellaNaija|language=en-US|access-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122044217/https://www.bellanaija.com/2012/04/his-new-movie-phone-swap-beat-hollywood-blockbusters-in-nigerian-cinemas-find-out-how-award-winning-filmmaker-kunle-afolayan-did-it/|archive-date=22 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''1 October'', [[Roti (2017 film)|''Roti'']], ''[[Omugwo]]'', ''The Tribunal'', ''The CEO'' and ''[[Mokalik]]''.<ref name="CEOunveil" />

==Netflix deal==
Kunle Afolayan struck a deal with Netflix in 2021 to make three feature films. The first included a screen adaptation of Sefi Atta's book ''Swallow''. He and the writer penned the script, which reportedly has a major twist from the original story. The movie revolves around a woman who begins to consider going into [[Illegal drug trade|drug trafficking]] in [[Lagos]] in the mid-'80s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://allnews.ng/news/kunle-afolayan-reveals-upcoming-movie-projects-with-netflix-video|title = Kunle Afolayan Reveals Upcoming Movie Projects Wit}}</ref> The second was the 2022 film ''[[Anikulapo]],'' the most nominated film at the [[2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards]], with 16 nods.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=22 April 2023 |title=AMVCA 2023: And The Big Nominees Are… |url=https://guardian.ng/life/amvca-2023-and-the-big-nominees-are/ |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref> The third film, ''[[Ijogbon]]'', is a coming-of-age adventure film that tells the story of four teenagers from a remote village in the south-west area of [[Nigeria]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Afolayan |first=Kunle |title=Ijogbon |date=2023-10-13 |type=Drama, Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29168830/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |others=Fawas Aina, Ebiesuwa Oluwaseyi, Ruby Akubueze |publisher=Golden Effects}}</ref>

==Controversy==
{{Tone|section|{{subst:December 2023}}|date=December 2023}}
On 6 April, 2015, Afolayan posted a [[Tweet (social media)|tweet]] which might have implied that [[Igbo people|Igbos]] were the majority group behind [[copyright infringement]] in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guardian |first=The |date=2015-04-18 |title=Kunle Afolayan Retracts Hate Tweet, Tenders Unreserved Apology |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/kunle-afolayan-retracts-hate-tweet-tenders-unreserved-apology/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref> The backlash from fans led to an apology from Afolayan and an explanation that he was concerned about the piracy of his films, and most especially threats on the potential release of unlicensed copies of ''[[October 1 (film)|October 1]]'', his latest film at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/kunle-afolayan-on-controversial-tweets-i-was-not-aware-of-the-obas-comment-i-was-just-bitter-video-id3640993.html|title=Kunle Afolayan on controversial tweets: "I was not aware of the Oba's comment, I was just bitter" [Video]|author=Chidumga Izuzu|date=9 April 2015|work=pulse.ng|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410222501/http://pulse.ng/movies/kunle-afolayan-on-controversial-tweets-i-was-not-aware-of-the-obas-comment-i-was-just-bitter-video-id3640993.html|archive-date=10 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelstv.com/2015/04/08/exclusive-i-was-just-bitter-kunle-afolayan-on-his-igbo-tweets/|title=EXCLUSIVE: "I Was Just Bitter", Kunle Afolayan On His 'Igbo' Tweets - Channels Television|work=Channels Television|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411222136/http://www.channelstv.com/2015/04/08/exclusive-i-was-just-bitter-kunle-afolayan-on-his-igbo-tweets/|archive-date=11 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after the controversy, on 13 April 2015 pirated copies of [[October 1 (film)|''October'' 1]] hit the market.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://pulse.ng/movies/kunle-afolayan-pirated-copies-of-october-1-film-now-released-please-dont-buy-id3650145.html |title="Pirated copies of October 1 film now released, please don't buy" |date=13 April 2015 |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=3 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404045153/http://pulse.ng/movies/kunle-afolayan-pirated-copies-of-october-1-film-now-released-please-dont-buy-id3650145.html |archive-date=4 April 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In an interview with Cable magazine,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/kunle-afolayan-mokali-mechanic-son/|title=INTERVIEW: Why I enrolled my son in a mechanic workshop, by Kunle Afolayan|date=15 September 2018|website=thecable.ng|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204204639/https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/kunle-afolayan-mokali-mechanic-son/|archive-date=4 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Afolayan was quoted as saying he does not watch a lot of Nigerian movies; ''″Truth be told, I hardly watch them because I am keen on watching movies that will challenge me and change my orientation about certain things.″'' and this led to him receiving several heated responses from fans and some colleagues in the Nigerian film industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lailasnews.com/you-keep-trying-to-cause-disunity-in-nollywood-egor-efiok-slams-kunle-afolayan/|title=Egor Efiok slams Kunle Afolayan over comment of not watching Nollywood movies|date=16 September 2018|website=Nigeria News - Laila's Blog|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028225735/https://lailasnews.com/you-keep-trying-to-cause-disunity-in-nollywood-egor-efiok-slams-kunle-afolayan/|archive-date=28 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A few days after, Afolayan explained that this quote had been taken out its context.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/09/17/kunle-afolayan-debunks-rumour-of-not-watching-nollywood-film/|title=Kunle Afolayan Debunks Nollywood Film Rumour|first=Stefanie|last=says|date=17 September 2018|website=P.M. News|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028225610/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/09/17/kunle-afolayan-debunks-rumour-of-not-watching-nollywood-film/|archive-date=28 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Film
! colspan="4" |Role
! rowspan="2" |Notes
! rowspan="2" |Ref
|-
!Actor
!Director
!Producer
!Writer
|-
|1999
|''[[Saworoide]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2002
|''[[Agogo Eewo]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2005
|''Ti Ala Ba Ku''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2006
|''[[Irapada]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Leila Djansi's Sinking Sands Listed On CNN Among 10 Must-See African Films|url=http://www.news1ghana.com/?p=27799|publisher=news1ghana.com|accessdate=22 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
|''Èjiwòrò''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2007
|''Onitemi''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2009
|''[[The Figurine]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|<ref name="autogenerated7">{{cite web|author=Obenson, Tambay A.|date=28 October 2013|title=Halloween 2013 Countdown - Nigerian Director Kunle Afolayan's Horror/Thriller 'The Figurine'|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/halloween-2013-countdown-revisit-kunle-afolayans-horror-thriller-the-figurine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426202032/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/halloween-2013-countdown-revisit-kunle-afolayans-horror-thriller-the-figurine|archive-date=26 April 2014|access-date=25 April 2014|work=IndieWire|publisher=Shadow and Act}}</ref>
|-
|''Farayola''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2012
|''[[Phone Swap]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |2014
|''[[Dazzling Mirage]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|author=Nwanne Chuks|date=28 June 2014|title=Lala Dazzles In Kelani's Dazzling Mirage|url=http://ngrguardiannews.com/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/168265-lala-dazzles-in-kelani-s-dazzling-mirage|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140812004501/http://ngrguardiannews.com/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/168265-lala-dazzles-in-kelani-s-dazzling-mirage|archive-date=12 August 2014|publisher=The Guardian (Nigeria)|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref>
|-
|[[October 1 (film)|''1 October'']]
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2016
|''[[The CEO]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|<ref name="CEOunveil" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |2017
|[[The Bridge (2017 film)|''The Bridge'']]
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=nollywoodreinvented|date=13 September 2019|title=The Bridge|url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2019/09/bridge.html|access-date=3 November 2019|website=Nollywood REinvented|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Omugwo (film)|Omugwo]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 April 2017|title=Kunle Afolayan, Omowunmi Dada, Ayo Adesanya attend media screening|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/omugwo-kunle-afolayan-omowunmi-dada-ayo-adesanya-attend-media-screening/fdg0qs2|access-date=3 November 2019|website=www.pulse.ng|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|''[[Crazy People (2018 film)|Crazy People]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
|''[[Mokalik]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 November 2019|title=Movie Review: Kunle Afolayan's 'Mokalik' thrives on memory, not viewer satisfaction|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/365003-movie-review-kunle-afolayans-mokalik-thrives-on-memory-not-viewer-satisfaction.html|access-date=6 May 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Diamonds in the Sky]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2020
|[[Citation (film)|''Citation'']]
|
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|<ref>{{cite web|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=3 November 2020|title=Kunle Afolayan screens 'Citation' in Lagos|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/424467-kunle-afolayan-screens-citation-in-lagos.html|access-date=7 November 2020|work=Premium Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Report |first=Agency |date=8 July 2022 |title=Kunle Afolayan's Citation wins 'Best International Film' in UK award |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/541517-kunle-afolayans-citation-wins-best-international-film-in-uk-award.html |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |2021
|[[Ayinla (film)|''Ayinla'']]
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nwogu|first=Precious|date=14 December 2020|title=Tunde Kelani announces production of Ayinla Omowura biopic titled 'Ayinla'|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/tunde-kelani-announces-production-of-ayinla-omowura-biopic/xrew5p1|access-date=12 May 2021|website=Pulse Nigeria}}</ref>
|-
|[[Swallow (2021 film)|''Swallow'']]
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Swallow (2021) review – this is hard to swallow.|url=https://readysteadycut.com/2021/10/01/review-swallow-2021-netflix-film/|access-date=2 October 2021|website=Ready Steady Cut|date=October 2021 }}</ref>
|-
|''[[A Naija Christmas]]''
|
|{{Yes}}
|
|
|
|<ref>{{cite news|title='A Naija Christmas' Review: Honoring a Mother's Wish - The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/16/movies/a-naija-christmas-review.html|website=The New York Times|date=16 December 2021 |accessdate=16 December 2021|last1=Kennedy |first1=Lisa }}</ref>
|-
|2022
|[[Aníkúlápó|''Anikulapo'']]
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|2023
|''[[Ijogbon]]'' <ref>{{Citation |title=Ijogbon |date=15 October 2023 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Ijogbon&oldid=1180191956 |work=Wikipedia |access-date=18 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
|
|
|yes
|
|
|
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Film
!Result
!Ref
|-
|2019
|[[2019 Best of Nollywood Awards|Best of Nollywood Awards]]
|Director of the Year
|''[[Diamonds in the Sky|Diamond in the Sky]]''
|{{nom}}
|<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Bada|first=Gbenga|date=15 December 2019|title=BON Awards 2019: 'Gold Statue', Gabriel Afolayan win big at 11th edition|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/bon-awards-2019-gold-statue-gabriel-afolayan-win-big-at-11th-edition/4d0w2n4|access-date=10 October 2021|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2021
|Net Honours
|Most Searched Actor
|
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Net Honours - The Class of 2021|url=https://thenet.ng/net-honours-class-of-2021/|access-date=7 September 2021|website=Nigerian Entertainment Today|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" |2023
| rowspan="4" |[[2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards|Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards]]
|Best Indigenous Language – Yoruba
| rowspan="4" |''[[Anikulapo]]''
|{{Won}}
| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees |url=https://dstv-fe-africamagic-prod.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/amvca/season/9/news/full-list-here-are-all-our-amvca-9-nominees/news |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
|Best Movie West Africa
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|Best Overall Movie
|{{Won}}
|-
|Best Director
|{{Nominated}}
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of Yoruba people]]
* [[List of Nigerian film producers]]


== References==
== References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />

{{Kunle Afolayan}}
{{Authority control}}

== External links ==
{{IMDb name|id=1875051}}


{{Persondata
| NAME = Afolayan, Kunle
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = [[Nigeria]]n actor and director
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Afolayan, Kunle}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Afolayan, Kunle}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Yoruba filmmakers]]
[[Category:Yoruba filmmakers]]
[[Category:New York Film Academy alumni]]
[[Category:New York Film Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Male actors from Lagos]]

[[Category:Nigerian film directors]]

[[Category:Nigerian male film actors]]
{{Nigeria-actor-stub}}
[[Category:Yoruba male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Male actors in Yoruba cinema]]
[[Category:Yoruba-language film directors]]
[[Category:English-language film directors from Nigeria]]
[[Category:Afolayan family|Kunle]]
[[Category:Filmmakers from Lagos]]
[[Category:Nigerian male television actors]]
[[Category:People from Kwara State]]
[[Category:Yoruba actors]]

Latest revision as of 20:16, 17 December 2024

Kunle Afolayan
Afolayan at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Born (1975-09-30) 30 September 1975 (age 49)[1]
Ebute Metta, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Alma materNew York Film Academy
Occupations
Years active1999-Present
Known forSaworoide, Agogo Ewo, Phone Swap, 1 October
Spouse
Tolu Afolayan
​
​
(m. 2007; div. 2019)​
Children4
ParentAdeyemi Josiah Afolayan (Ade Love - father)
RelativesMoji Afolayan (sister)
Gabriel Afolayan (brother)
Aremu Afolayan (brother)
Anu Afolayan (brother)

Kunle Afolayan (listenⓘ) (born 30 September, 1975) is a Nigerian actor, producer, and director.[2] He is credited for elevating the quality of Nollywood movies through larger budgets, shooting on 35mm, releasing in cinemas, and improving cliché Nollywood storylines.[3] After starting his film career as an actor in the 1999 political drama Saworoide, Afolayan made his directorial debut in 2006 with Irapada, a Nigerian supernatural thriller, which won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language.[4] His subsequent directing credits include The Figurine,[5] Phone Swap, October 1, and Citation.[6]

October 1 was the winner of 16 major African movie awards in 2015 and was the second highest grossing Nigerian film at the time of its release, a feat Afolayan was to repeat two years later with The CEO. In 2021, the director signed a three-picture deal with Netflix.[7] Swallow, the screen adaption of Sefi Atta's book by the same name was the first to be released in October 2021, followed by Aníkúlápó, an epic Nigerian fantasy released in September 2022. Afolayan has described the work as a "Game of Thrones recreated in Nigeria but with a better representation of our culture”.[8]  Eleven days after its release, it was the #1 most-watched non-English Netflix original film.[9]

Early life and career

[edit]

Afolayan is of Igbomina-Yoruba descent and is from Kwara State.[10][11][12] He is the son of theatre and film director Ade Love. He majored in economics and started out working in a bank while doing some casual acting before deciding to move into full-time filmmaking and taking a course at the New York Film Academy.[12] Since 2005, he has been active in the Nigerian film industry. He has made several films, including The Figurine: Araromire, which was in the Yoruba and English languages, and Phone Swap, which featured Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, Nse Ikpe Etim and Chika Okpala. The Figurine won five major awards in the African Film Academy.[11]

Afolayan appeared at the Subversive Film Festival in 2011, where he represented the Nigerian film industry[13] with his colleague Zeb Ejiro.[11] In May 2013, Phone Swap premiered in France at the first edition of NollywoodWeek Paris and won the Public Choice Award.[14]

Personal life

[edit]

Afolayan married Tolu Afolayan in 2007, and they have four children.[15] Their marriage ended in 2019.[16] He identifies as a Freethinker.[17]

Golden Effects Pictures

[edit]

Afolayan is the CEO of Golden Effects Pictures, a Nigerian film and production company incorporated in 2005.[18][19][20] The company's feature films include Irapada, The Figurine, Phone Swap,[21] 1 October, Roti, Omugwo, The Tribunal, The CEO and Mokalik.[18]

Netflix deal

[edit]

Kunle Afolayan struck a deal with Netflix in 2021 to make three feature films. The first included a screen adaptation of Sefi Atta's book Swallow. He and the writer penned the script, which reportedly has a major twist from the original story. The movie revolves around a woman who begins to consider going into drug trafficking in Lagos in the mid-'80s.[22] The second was the 2022 film Anikulapo, the most nominated film at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards, with 16 nods.[23] The third film, Ijogbon, is a coming-of-age adventure film that tells the story of four teenagers from a remote village in the south-west area of Nigeria.[24]

Controversy

[edit]

On 6 April, 2015, Afolayan posted a tweet which might have implied that Igbos were the majority group behind copyright infringement in Nigeria.[25] The backlash from fans led to an apology from Afolayan and an explanation that he was concerned about the piracy of his films, and most especially threats on the potential release of unlicensed copies of October 1, his latest film at the time.[26][27] Shortly after the controversy, on 13 April 2015 pirated copies of October 1 hit the market.[28]

In an interview with Cable magazine,[29] Afolayan was quoted as saying he does not watch a lot of Nigerian movies; ″Truth be told, I hardly watch them because I am keen on watching movies that will challenge me and change my orientation about certain things.″ and this led to him receiving several heated responses from fans and some colleagues in the Nigerian film industry.[30] A few days after, Afolayan explained that this quote had been taken out its context.[31]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes Ref
Actor Director Producer Writer
1999 Saworoide Yes
2002 Agogo Eewo Yes
2005 Ti Ala Ba Ku Yes
2006 Irapada Yes Yes Yes Yes [32]
Èjiwòrò Yes
2007 Onitemi Yes
2009 The Figurine Yes Yes [33]
Farayola Yes
2012 Phone Swap Yes Yes Yes [21]
2014 Dazzling Mirage Yes [34]
1 October Yes Yes Yes [28]
2016 The CEO Yes Yes [18]
2017 The Bridge Yes Yes [35]
Omugwo Yes Yes [36]
2018 Crazy People Yes
2019 Mokalik Yes Yes [37]
Diamonds in the Sky Yes [38]
2020 Citation Yes [39][40]
2021 Ayinla Yes [41]
Swallow Yes Yes Yes Yes [42]
A Naija Christmas Yes [43]
2022 Anikulapo Yes Yes Yes
2023 Ijogbon [44] yes

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Film Result Ref
2019 Best of Nollywood Awards Director of the Year Diamond in the Sky Nominated [38]
2021 Net Honours Most Searched Actor Nominated [45]
2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Indigenous Language – Yoruba Anikulapo Won [46]
Best Movie West Africa Nominated
Best Overall Movie Won
Best Director Nominated

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Its Kunle Afolayan's birthday". The Nation. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Kunle Afolayan set to release 'ROTI'". Vanguard News. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Out of Africa: Kunle Afolayan bids to bring Nollywood cinema to the world". the Guardian. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  4. ^ "He is Kunle Afolayan". blog.mipad.org. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  5. ^ nyfa. "NYFA Graduate's Film Sweeps African Academy Awards". NYFA. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  6. ^ Europe, Canon. "Kunle Afolayan on filming Citation". Canon Europe. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  7. ^ Grater, Tom (10 March 2021). "Netflix Partners With Nigerian Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan On 3 Features". Deadline. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  8. ^ BellaNaija.com (2 August 2022). "Kunle Afolayan's Film "Anikulapo" is Coming to Netflix on September 30!". BellaNaija. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  9. ^ YNaija; YNaija (12 October 2022). "Aníkúlápó ranks No.1 globally on Netflix". YNaija. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  10. ^ Akande, Victor (22 December 2012). "Kunle Afolayan on the trail of Yoruba deities". The Nation. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  11. ^ a b c "'Mi smo nova filmska revolucija'". www.tportal.hr. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  12. ^ a b "234Next.com". Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  13. ^ "Nollywood rivals Bollywood in film/video production". United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 5 May 2009. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  14. ^ "NollywoodWeek Paris". nollywoodweek.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  15. ^ "Kunle Afolayan: "Does our Government consider Us worthy Citizens of Nigeria?"". bellanaija.com. 8 March 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  16. ^ "I work too hard but i'm still a tenant" – Kunle Afolayan to relocate from Nigeria". dailypost.ng. 7 March 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  17. ^ "Dad didn't encourage his children to act -Kunle Afolayan". Ilorin Info. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  18. ^ a b c "The CEO: Kunle Afolayan unveils cast of multi-lingual movie". The Nation. 29 August 2015. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  19. ^ "NET Special: 2014 Most influential people in entertainment". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 17 November 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  20. ^ Nigeria, News Agency of (19 November 2017). "Nollywood powerful tool for "soft" diplomacy – Audu Kadiri". TODAY.NG. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  21. ^ a b "His New Movie "Phone Swap" Beat Hollywood Blockbusters in Nigerian Cinemas: Find Out How Award Winning Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan Did It!". BellaNaija. 19 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  22. ^ "Kunle Afolayan Reveals Upcoming Movie Projects Wit".
  23. ^ "AMVCA 2023: And The Big Nominees Are…". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  24. ^ Afolayan, Kunle (13 October 2023), Ijogbon (Drama, Thriller), Fawas Aina, Ebiesuwa Oluwaseyi, Ruby Akubueze, Golden Effects, retrieved 21 May 2024
  25. ^ Guardian, The (18 April 2015). "Kunle Afolayan Retracts Hate Tweet, Tenders Unreserved Apology". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  26. ^ Chidumga Izuzu (9 April 2015). "Kunle Afolayan on controversial tweets: "I was not aware of the Oba's comment, I was just bitter" [Video]". pulse.ng. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  27. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: "I Was Just Bitter", Kunle Afolayan On His 'Igbo' Tweets - Channels Television". Channels Television. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  28. ^ a b ""Pirated copies of October 1 film now released, please don't buy"". Pulse Nigeria. 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  29. ^ "INTERVIEW: Why I enrolled my son in a mechanic workshop, by Kunle Afolayan". thecable.ng. 15 September 2018. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  30. ^ "Egor Efiok slams Kunle Afolayan over comment of not watching Nollywood movies". Nigeria News - Laila's Blog. 16 September 2018. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  31. ^ says, Stefanie (17 September 2018). "Kunle Afolayan Debunks Nollywood Film Rumour". P.M. News. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  32. ^ "Leila Djansi's Sinking Sands Listed On CNN Among 10 Must-See African Films". news1ghana.com. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  33. ^ Obenson, Tambay A. (28 October 2013). "Halloween 2013 Countdown - Nigerian Director Kunle Afolayan's Horror/Thriller 'The Figurine'". IndieWire. Shadow and Act. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  34. ^ Nwanne Chuks (28 June 2014). "Lala Dazzles In Kelani's Dazzling Mirage". The Guardian (Nigeria). Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  35. ^ nollywoodreinvented (13 September 2019). "The Bridge". Nollywood REinvented. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  36. ^ "Kunle Afolayan, Omowunmi Dada, Ayo Adesanya attend media screening". www.pulse.ng. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  37. ^ "Movie Review: Kunle Afolayan's 'Mokalik' thrives on memory, not viewer satisfaction". 24 November 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  38. ^ a b Bada, Gbenga (15 December 2019). "BON Awards 2019: 'Gold Statue', Gabriel Afolayan win big at 11th edition". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  39. ^ Augoye, Jayne (3 November 2020). "Kunle Afolayan screens 'Citation' in Lagos". Premium Times. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  40. ^ Report, Agency (8 July 2022). "Kunle Afolayan's Citation wins 'Best International Film' in UK award". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  41. ^ Nwogu, Precious (14 December 2020). "Tunde Kelani announces production of Ayinla Omowura biopic titled 'Ayinla'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Swallow (2021) review – this is hard to swallow". Ready Steady Cut. October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  43. ^ Kennedy, Lisa (16 December 2021). "'A Naija Christmas' Review: Honoring a Mother's Wish - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  44. ^ "Ijogbon", Wikipedia, 15 October 2023, retrieved 18 October 2023
  45. ^ "Net Honours - The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  46. ^ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees". AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees. Retrieved 23 April 2023.[permanent dead link‍]
[edit]

Kunle Afolayan at IMDb

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