FOR NIYI AKINMOLAYAN, AN AMAZING GIFT FROM AMAZON
A promising, ambitious and talented young man who had started a production house (Anthill Productions) with his few friends in 2007 was fired up by the never say die Nigerian spirit to shake the foundations of Nollywood and Nigeria in extension with his art. He set out to do a new thing , in a new way , for new audience.
This Techie bloke was just recovering from a robbery incident that could have dampened his spirit and that of his co- travelers. Regardless of the setback, he was more energized to produce the first dystopian and futuristic science fiction in the history of Africa. A tall and ambitious dream you may say.
Armed with five driving factors, namely: fantasy; screenplay – The Blackhole; N400,000- lifetime savings; borrowed camera and a team of animation loving gang in 2008, Niyi embarked on a cinematic experiment that attracted unprecedented records in the history of Nigerian film industry.
The heavily hyped Computer Generated Images (CGI) film set in 2059 was eventually produced by Adonai at the whooping cost of 130 million naira (the highest in those days), retitled KAJOLA for audience acceptance, premiered on 30th July and withdrawn from the cinema by 2nd August, 2010. The fastest pull from cinemas.
Consequent upon the colossal failure, Niyi Akinmolayan disappeared from public glare for more than two years, but the humiliation from the failed experiment won’t disappear like a stubborn eczema. Unsatisfied Nigerians took to his social media handles to ventilate their utter disappointments and even requested for refunds in some cinemas. The rest is history.
Approximately 4177days, 596 weeks and 5 days, that is 11 years, 5 months and 6 days after the ‘great flop’, Ayanna Lonian, Prime Video’s Director of Content Acquisition and Head of Worldwide Major Studio Licensing Strategy announced the licensing deal between Amazon Prime Video and Niyi Akinmolayan’s Anthill Studios. The second of its kind in Nigeria after Inkblot Studios.
This multi-year licensing deal is no doubt a big one for a rising studio that once committed a cinematic hara-kiri and consequently suffered haemorrhage. With more than 200 million eyeballs across the globe, the streaming platform has provided a golden opportunity to export Nigerian unique cultural experience and memories via the Anthill Studios. The streaming company takes charge of online distribution after cinema runs in Nigeria.
In the new development he tagged ‘the right kind of home’, elated Akinmolayan remarked, “Films from Anthill Studios have always excited global audience. This is large because we believe in the power of authentic and original stories. We also love to explore genres and go boldly where most don’t.”
The return of Akinmolayan from the blackhole was like the proverbial ram in reverse motion. The determination, resilience and creativity that were packed in a powerful punch of his second coming transverses different genres. From mostly comedies to dramas and thrillers. He is one of the foremost new-Nollywood Directors.
In addition to the opportunities to showcase the very best of Nollywood and authentic African stories to the teeming customers of Amazon Prime Video, Akinmolayan’s major fulfillment would be as reflected in his statement “…we can explore more story ideas, including genres new to Nollywood like sci-fi and animation for global audience.” Time to return to his first loves, CGI and fantasy?
Though, this not the first incursion of foreign production outfits and streaming platforms into Nollywood to harness content for global audience. International brands such as BBC Studios, Netflix, Sony Pictures and others have taken the advantage of Nigerian population and ingenuity in film production to strike symbiotic business deals. However, the handshake between Anthill Studios and Amazon Prime Video Akinmolayan forms a rare gift of life time to the partners, Nollywood, Filmmakers, and global audience.
Niyi’s years of laborious efforts have produced great flicks to the delights of film buffs. His footprints in Nollywood include; Make A Movie- 2014, Ordinary People-2014, Falling- 2015, Out of Luck- 2015, Meet The In-Laws- 2016, The Arbitration-2016, The Wedding Party 2- 2017, The Set Up- 2019, Elevator Baby- 2019, Chief Daddy 1 2018/2022, Room 315- 2016, My Village People- 2021, Prophetess- 2021, Progressive Tailors Club- 2021, Chief Daddy 2- 2022, etc. And three other titles in animation genre.
Niyi Akinmolayan, 40, is the Founder/Creative Director of Anthills Studios. He has his hands in many areas such as training, blogging (Sodas ‘N’ Popcorn), media consultancy, TVC production, web based solution, etc.
Picture Credits- Internet
