Biodun Stephen

{{short description|Nigerian film director, writer and producer}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Biodun Stephen Oladigbo

| image =

| imagesize =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Biodun Stephen

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Nigeria

| othername =

| occupation = Filmmaker and radio presenter

| yearsactive = 2014–present

| website =

| alma_mater = {{ubl|Obafemi Awolowo University|London Film Academy}}

}}

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

Biodun Stephen is married.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/66948/ |title=Building and defining one's brand is quite challenging —Biodun Stephen Oladigbo |last=Gesinde |first=Tayo |date=25 February 2017 |website=Nigeria Tribune |access-date=5 October 2018 |archive-date=30 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130033325/https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/66948/ |url-status=dead }} She is an alumna of Obafemi Awolowo University, where she studied philosophy. After-which, she underwent practical film production training at London Film Academy.{{Cite web |url=https://guardian.ng/art/no-better-time-to-be-in-nollywood-than-now/ |title=No better time to be in Nollywood than now |last=Akutu |first=Geraldine |date=29 April 2018 |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 October 2018}}

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 in Lagos.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/biodun-stephen-is-a-consistent-genius-in-romantic-comedy-genre-id7053155.html |title=Biodun Stephen is a consistent genius in romantic comedy storytelling |last=Izuzu |first=Chidumga |date=26 July 2017 |website=Pulse |access-date=5 October 2018}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/95423/ |title=Film-making makes me complete —Biodun Stephen |last=Ige |first=Rotimi |date=2 June 2017 |website=Daily Tribune |access-date=5 October 2018 |archive-date=30 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130033323/https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/95423/ |url-status=dead }} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/bon-awards-2017-night-rising-stars/ |title=BON Awards 2017: A night of rising stars |date=23 December 2017 |website=Vanguard |access-date=5 October 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/best-of-nollywood-awards-2017-nominees-id7276316.html |title=Bolanle Ninalowo, IK Ogbonna, Rachel Okonkwo, "What Lies Within" among nominees |last=Izuzu |first=Chidumga |date=7 September 2017 |website=Pulse |access-date=5 October 2018}} She also won best director award at the 2016 Maya Awards (Africa).{{Cite web |url=https://www.mayaawardsafrica.com/mayaawardsafrica5-full-list-of-winners/ |title=MAYA Awards Africa |access-date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815053435/https://www.mayaawardsafrica.com/mayaawardsafrica5-full-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=dead }} 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". For her directorial role in Tiwa's Baggage, she was nominated for best director at 2018 City People Movie Awards.{{Cite web |url=http://www.citypeopleonline.com/nominees-for-2018-city-people-movie-awards-full-list/ |title=NOMINEES FOR 2018 CITY PEOPLE MOVIE AWARDS [FULL LIST] |date=8 September 2018 |website=City People |access-date=5 October 2018}} In August 2018, her film Seven and Half Dates was recommended by Guardian as a film to see in the weekend.{{Cite web |url=https://guardian.ng/life/film/three-nollywood-films-to-watch-in-cinemas-this-weekend/ |title=Three Nollywood Films To Watch in Cinemas This Weekend |last=NDECHE |first=CHIDIRIM |date=31 August 2018 |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 October 2018}} 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. Her artistry in having some form of titular characters has been highlighted by film critics.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2017/08/sobis-mystic.html |title=SOBI'S MYSTIC |website=Nollywood Reinvented}}

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

= Filmography =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;" ! rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Film ! colspan="3" style="background:#B0C4DE;" \|Credited as ! rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
Director !Producer !Writer
2015 \| The Visit \|{{no}} \|{{yes}} \|{{no}} \| Got 2 nominations at 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
rowspan="2" \|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
rowspan="5" \|2017 \| Glimpse \|{{yes}} \|{{yes}} \|{{yes}} \| Starred Bisola Aiyeola and Okey Uzoeshi.{{Cite web \|url=https://www.thatnollywoodblog.com/biodun-stephen-official-glimpse-trailer/ \|title=Biodun Stephen Releases Official Glimpse Trailer }}{{Dead link\|date=October 2023 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}
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
rowspan="5" \|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{{Cite web \|url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2018/09/coming-soon-last-days.html \|title=Last Days}}
2019 \|Looking For Baami \|{{yes}} \|{{yes}} \|{{yes}} \| Starred Bimbo Ademoye Femi Jacobs{{Cite web\|last=nollywoodreinvented\|date=2020-01-04\|title=Looking For Baami\|url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2020/01/looking-for-baami.html\|access-date=2020-10-11\|website=Nollywood Reinvented\|language=en-US}}
rowspan="2" \|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 \|

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"

! rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film

! colspan="3" style="background:#B0C4DE;" |Credited as

! rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

Director

!Producer

!Writer

2015

| The Visit

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

| Got 2 nominations at 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

rowspan="2" |2016

| Picture Perfect

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

| Won 2 awards at 2017 Best of Nollywood Awards.

Happy Ending

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

| Starred Lilian Afegbai and Chika Ike

rowspan="5" |2017

| Glimpse

|{{yes}}

| Starred Bisola Aiyeola and Okey Uzoeshi.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thatnollywoodblog.com/biodun-stephen-official-glimpse-trailer/ |title=Biodun Stephen Releases Official Glimpse Trailer }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Tiwa's Baggage

|{{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}}

| Starred Mofe Duncan, Shaffy Bello, Bisola Aiyeola and Uche Ogbodo

Tough Love

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

| Starred Bolaji Ogunmola, Joshua Richard

rowspan="5" |2018

| Seven and Half Dates

|{{yes}}

|{{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}}

| Produced by Toyin Abraham

Ehi's Bitters

|{{yes}}

| Starred Fathia Balogun and Deyemi Okanlawon

Last Days

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

| Starred Susan Peters, Vivian Metchie, Bimbo Ademoye and Funsho Adeolu{{Cite web |url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2018/09/coming-soon-last-days.html |title=Last Days}}

2019

|Looking For Baami

|{{yes}}

| Starred Bimbo Ademoye Femi Jacobs{{Cite web|last=nollywoodreinvented|date=2020-01-04|title=Looking For Baami|url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2020/01/looking-for-baami.html|access-date=2020-10-11|website=Nollywood Reinvented|language=en-US}}

rowspan="2" |2021

|Breaded Life

|{{yes}}

Progressive Tailors Club

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|Produced by Niyi Akinmolayan

2022

| Aki and Pawpaw

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

2023

|Sista

| {{yes}}

2023

|Different Strokes

|Yes

|No

2024

|Muri & Ko

|Yes

|No

|Yes

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Award

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" |Category as

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Recipient

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Result

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Ref

rowspan="2" |2022

| rowspan="2" |Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards

|Best Writer

|Introducing the Kujus

| {{won}}

| rowspan="2" |{{Cite news |title=2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list |work=BBC News Pidgin |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-60818021 |access-date=2022-03-26}}

Best Movie West Africa

|Breaded Life

|{{nom}}