Biodun Stephen is a Nigerian

film director A film director or filmmaker is a person who controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that Goal, vision. The director has a key role ...

, writer and producer, specializing in

romantic drama Romance films involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion (emotion), passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters. Typically their ...

and

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

s. 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

Biodun Stephen is married. She is an alumna of

Obafemi Awolowo University Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal university in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1961 and classes commenced in October 1962 as the University of Ife by the regional government of Western Nigeria, which w ...

, where she studied philosophy. After-which, she underwent practical film production training at

London Film Academy The London Film Academy (LFA) is a UK film school situated in Fulham, London. Founded in 2001, the LFA offers undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses, providing practical training across all key filmmaking disciplines. History Based within ...

Career

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 The ''Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards'' (AMVCA) are a set of accolades presented by MultiChoice recognizing outstanding achievement in television and film across Africa,, through an annual ceremony hosted in the Exhibition Center of the Eko H ...

in Lagos. 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. In 2017, Stephen film, '' Picture Perfect'' received five nominations, and won two awards at the 2017

Best of Nollywood Awards Best of Nollywood Awards (stylised as BON Awards) is an annual film event presented by ''Best of Nollywood Magazine,'' honouring outstanding achievement in the Cinema of Nigeria, Nigerian Movie Industry. The first edition was held on 6 December 2 ...

, for categories best actor in a lead role ( Bolanle Ninalowo) and best use of food in a film. She also won best director award at the 2016 Maya Awards (Africa). Speaking to

Guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unit ...

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". For her directorial role in '' Tiwa's Baggage'', she was nominated for best director at 2018 City People Movie Awards. In August 2018, her film ''Seven and Half Dates'' was recommended by Guardian as a film to see in the weekend. In an interview with

Nigerian Tribune The ''Nigerian Tribune'' is an English-language newspaper published in Ibadan, Nigeria. Established in 1949 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, it is the oldest privately-owned Nigerian newspaper still in circulation. During the colonial period, the Nige ...

, Stephen recalled that being nominated for

AMVCA The ''Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards'' (AMVCA) are a set of accolades presented by MultiChoice recognizing outstanding achievement in television and film across Africa,, through an annual ceremony hosted in the Exhibition Center of the Eko ...

has been her most accomplished moment, and provided her with the confidence to continue film-making. She describes

Emem Isong Emem Isong is a Nigerian screenwriter, film producer, and film director. She has become known primarily for films in the English language, and is a dominant figure in the Nollywood industry. Her second directed feature, ''Code of Silence'', w ...

and

Mary Njoku Mary Remmy Njoku (born 20 March 1985) is a Nigerian actress, producer, content creator and founder of the ROK TV Channels and CEO of ROK Studios, which she founded in 2013. With a catalogue of over three thousand (3000) hours of original conte ...

as individuals within the film sector that inspires her. Her artistry in having some form of titular characters has been highlighted by film critics. Aside film-making, Stephen is also a radio personality, where she anchors a weekend show titled ''Whispers''.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* Living people Nigerian women film directors Nigerian women film producers Nigerian film producers Obafemi Awolowo University alumni 21st-century Nigerian women writers Year of birth missing (living people) 21st-century Nigerian writers Yoruba filmmakers Nigerian film directors Nigerian screenwriters Nigerian radio presenters Nigerian women radio presenters {{Nigeria-screenwriter-stub