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Biodun Stephen

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Biodun Stephen Oladigbo
Born
Biodun Stephen

Nigeria
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Filmmaker and radio presenter
Years active2014–present

Biodun Stephen is a Nigerian film director, writer and producer, specializing in romantic drama and comedy films. She has been noted for getting inspiration for the title of her films, from the main character names as depicted in the film with Tiwa's Baggage, Ovy's Voice, Ehi's Bitters and Sobi's Mystic as notable examples.

Personal life and education

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Biodun Stephen is married.[1] She is an alumna of Obafemi Awolowo University, where she studied philosophy. After-which, she underwent practical film production training at London Film Academy.[2]

Career

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Biodun Stephen began her film-making career in 2014 with the release of The Visit. The film was praised for its minimal yet insightful cast, story and originality. It received two nominations at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in Lagos.[3] During an interview with Tribune on various facets of her career, she recalled that acting was her "first love", but didn't have a breakthrough in it hence her decision to improve by attaining new skills abroad. She describes the provision of a platform to communicate with the world as her motivation for delving into film-making.[4] In 2017, Stephen film, Picture Perfect received five nominations, and won two awards at the 2017 Best of Nollywood Awards, for categories best actor in a lead role (Bolanle Ninalowo) and best use of food in a film.[5][6] She also won best director award at the 2016 Maya Awards (Africa).[7] Speaking to Guardian on the origin of her love stories, Stephen stated "I draw inspiration from my experiences, my pains, my joys, sad moments in my life and in the lives of people around me".[2] For her directorial role in Tiwa's Baggage, she was nominated for best director at 2018 City People Movie Awards.[8] In August 2018, her film Seven and Half Dates was recommended by Guardian as a film to see in the weekend.[9] In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Stephen recalled that being nominated for AMVCA has been her most accomplished moment, and provided her with the confidence to continue film-making. She describes Emem Isong and Mary Njoku as individuals within the film sector that inspires her.[1] Her artistry in having some form of titular characters has been highlighted by film critics.[10]

Aside film-making, Stephen is also a radio personality, where she anchors a weekend show titled Whispers.[4]

Filmography

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Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Producer Writer
2015 The Visit No Yes No Got 2 nominations at 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
2016 Picture Perfect No Yes Yes Won 2 awards at 2017 Best of Nollywood Awards.
Happy Ending No No Yes Starred Lilian Afegbai and Chika Ike
2017 Glimpse Yes Yes Yes Starred Bisola Aiyeola and Okey Uzoeshi.[11]
Tiwa's Baggage Yes Yes Yes Got nominated for director of the year at 2018 City People Movie Awards.
Sobi's Mystic Yes No Yes
Ovy's Voice No Yes Yes Starred Mofe Duncan, Shaffy Bello, Bisola Aiyeola and Uche Ogbodo
Tough Love Yes Yes No Starred Bolaji Ogunmola, Joshua Richard
2018 Seven and Half Dates Yes No No Screenplay by Joy Isi Bewaji and produced by Toyin Abraham. Starred Mercy Johnson, Ali Nuhu and Jim Iyke.
All Shades of Wrong Yes No Yes Starred Femi Jacobs and Bimbo Ademoye
The Ghost and the Tout Yes No No Produced by Toyin Abraham
Ehi's Bitters Yes Yes Yes Starred Fathia Balogun and Deyemi Okanlawon
Last Days Yes No No Starred Susan Peters, Vivian Metchie, Bimbo Ademoye and Funsho Adeolu[12]
2019 Looking For Baami Yes Yes Yes Starred Bimbo Ademoye Femi Jacobs[13]
2021 Breaded Life Yes Yes Yes
Progressive Tailors Club Yes No No Produced by Niyi Akinmolayan
2022 Aki and Pawpaw Yes No No
2023 Sista Yes Yes Yes
2023 Different Strokes Yes No No
2024 Muri & Ko Yes No Yes

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category as Recipient Result Ref
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Writer Introducing the Kujus Won [14]
Best Movie West Africa Breaded Life Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Gesinde, Tayo (25 February 2017). "Building and defining one's brand is quite challenging —Biodun Stephen Oladigbo". Nigeria Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b Akutu, Geraldine (29 April 2018). "No better time to be in Nollywood than now". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  3. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (26 July 2017). "Biodun Stephen is a consistent genius in romantic comedy storytelling". Pulse. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b Ige, Rotimi (2 June 2017). "Film-making makes me complete —Biodun Stephen". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  5. ^ "BON Awards 2017: A night of rising stars". Vanguard. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  6. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (7 September 2017). "Bolanle Ninalowo, IK Ogbonna, Rachel Okonkwo, "What Lies Within" among nominees". Pulse. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  7. ^ "MAYA Awards Africa". Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  8. ^ "NOMINEES FOR 2018 CITY PEOPLE MOVIE AWARDS [FULL LIST]". City People. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  9. ^ NDECHE, CHIDIRIM (31 August 2018). "Three Nollywood Films To Watch in Cinemas This Weekend". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  10. ^ "SOBI'S MYSTIC". Nollywood Reinvented.
  11. ^ "Biodun Stephen Releases Official Glimpse Trailer".[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Last Days".
  13. ^ nollywoodreinvented (4 January 2020). "Looking For Baami". Nollywood Reinvented. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  14. ^ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
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