Dare Olaitan

His father, Oladipo Olaitan was the financial secretary of Afenifere, a Yoruba cultural body.{{Cite web |last=Jannah |first=Chijioke |date=2017-07-24 |title=Afenifere chieftain, Oladipo Olaitan, reveals man behind Nigeria’s woes. |url=https://dailypost.ng/2017/07/24/afenifere-chieftain-oladipo-olaitan-reveals-man-behind-nigerias-woes/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}

Olaitan studied Economics and Business Management at the Illinois Wesleyan University. While studying in Illinois, he started having an interest in filmmaking following the school's last project.{{Cite web |last=Davo |first=Bernard |date=2019-01-28 |title=Dare Olaitan Is Here to Take Nollywood by Storm

|url=https://guardian.ng/life/dare-olaitan-is-here-to-take-nollywood-by-storm/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}

Olaitan initially considered pursuing a Master’s degree in Business after completing his undergraduate degree. However, his renewed interest in filmmaking led him to a career change. He enrolled in the Cinematic Arts Department (formerly known as Colorado Film School){{Cite web |title=CFS Transition |url=https://ccaurora.edu/colorado-film-school-announcement/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Community College of Aurora |language=en-US}} at Community College of Aurora, Denver.

Olaitan’s filmmaking career began during his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) placement at a film production company in Ikeja, Lagos.{{Cite web |last=Adedayo |first=Adedamola |date=2024-02-29 |title=My Life in Nollywood: Dare Olaitan |url=https://culturecustodian.com/my-life-in-nollywood-dare-olaitan/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |language=en-GB}}

His movie, Ojukokoro was nominated at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2018 for Best Screenplay and Best Nigerian Film.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=AMAA 2018 Nominations List – Africa Movie Academy Awards |url=https://ama-awards.com/amaa-2018-nominations-list/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |language=en-US}} During the production of Ojukokoro, he crossed paths with another film producer Olufemi Ogunsanwo who provided mentorship and industry specific guidance, facilitating Olaitan’s integration into the Nigerian film industry.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2017 |title=Ojukokoro unites Wale Ojo, Saka, Linda Ejiofor, others |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/ojukokoro-unites-wale-ojo-saka-linda-ejiofor-others/ |website=Vanguard}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-12-02 |title=Femi D.Ogunsanwo and Tunde Leye unveil "Finding Hubby" to raving reviews |url=https://guardian.ng/art/c74-arts/femi-d-ogunsanwo-and-tunde-leye-unveil-finding-hubby-to-raving-reviews/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}

In 2018, Olaitan wrote and directed Knockout Blessing,{{Cite web |last=Adeniyi |first=Enioluwa |date=2018-10-09 |title=Linda Ejiofor, Tope Tedela To Star In ‘Knock Out Blessing’ |url=https://www.naijanews.com/2018/10/09/linda-ejiofor-tope-tedela-to-star-in-knock-out-blessing/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Naija News |language=en-GB}} a movie which explores the story of an ambitious female boxer who finds herself entangled in the world of political corruption. Knockout Blessing{{Cite web |last=Ugobude |first=Frank |date=2019-01-02 |title="Knock Out Blessing" is an absolutely entertaining movie |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/knock-out-blessing-is-an-absolutely-entertaining-movie/gnkt6n8 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}} was nominated for Best Nigerian Film and Best Visual Effects at the 2019 Africa Movie Academy Awards.{{Cite web |last=Nseyen |first=Nsikak |date=2019-09-19 |title=AMAA releases nominees for 2019 awards [FULL LIST] |url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/09/19/amaa-releases-nominees-2019-awards-full-list/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}

Olaitan co-directed the film Dwindle (2021){{Cite web |last=Ezema |first=Patrick |date=2022-09-10 |title=Dwindle {{!}} Nigerian & Nollywood Movies |url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2022/09/dwindle.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Nollywood Reinvented |language=en-US}} with Kayode Kasum. The film focuses on two men who hijack a car and re-purpose it as a makeshift taxi, and their fate takes a turn when they stumble upon a kidnaped governor. The following year he worked on Kayode’s musical Obara’M (2022). The film follows a young musician who struggles with her past mistakes after the death of her estranged father. The film was nominated for Best Movie West Africa in 2023 at Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.{{Cite web |last=Kalu |first=Esther |date=2023-06-24 |title=MOVIE REVIEW: 'Obaram's brilliant musical, cinematographic elements make it a near masterpiece |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/606414-movie-review-obarams-brilliant-musical-cinematographic-elements-make-it-a-near-masterpiece.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}}

In his interview with the Vanguard, he expressed his belief in the untapped potential of horror and psychological thriller genres within the Nollywood industry. Olaitan indicated a desire to explore these genres with the intention of crafting memorable cinematic experiences for audiences.{{Cite web |title="I'm pioneering psychological thrillers in African cinemas" – Movie director, Dare Olaitan |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/03/im-pioneering-psychological-thrillers-in-african-cinemas-movie-director-dare-olaitan/ |website=Vanguard}}

According to Pulse News, he is the top 5 movie director in 2022 for his movie Ojukokoro.{{Cite web |last=Udodiong |first=Inemesit |date=2022-12-17 |title=Top 5 Movie Directors of 2022 [Pulse Picks] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/top-5-movie-directors-of-2022-pulse-picks/02s54xz |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}} Olaitan’s dive into the horror genre came in 2022 with his release of Ile Owo.{{Cite web |last=REinvented |first=Nollywood |date=2023-05-23 |title=Ile Owo (House of Money) {{!}} Nigerian & Nollywood Movies |url=https://www.nollywoodreinvented.com/2023/05/ile-owo-house-of-money.html |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Nollywood Reinvented |language=en-US}} The film, which attracted mixed critical reception, centered on a female nurse that just left a bad relationship and seeks a fresh start and her life changes when she encounters a seemingly perfect man, who harbors dark secrets. The film was nominated for Best Picture Editor and Best Overall Movie in 2023 at Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.{{Cite web |last=Kalu |first=Esther |date=2023-04-17 |title=AMVCA 2023: Anikulapo, Brotherhood, others battle for best movie crown ( Full Nominee List) |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/593818-amvca-2023-anikulapo-brotherhood-others-battle-for-best-movie-crown-full-nominee-list.html |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}} The movie was also made available on Netflix in 2023.{{Cite web |title=MOVIE REVIEW: Ile Owo: Hazy storyline that offers no logical explanation for events, characters |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/602471-movie-review-ile-owo-hazy-storyline-that-offers-no-logical-explanation-for-events-characters.html?tztc=1 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.premiumtimesng.com}}

In 2023, Olaitan continued expanding his filmography into the horror genre, with the horror-thriller Ègún.{{Cite web |last=Oloruntoyin |first=Faith |date=2023-11-21 |title='Egun' opens with ₦6.1 million at Nigerian Box Office |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/egun-opens-with-naira61-million-at-nigerian-box-office/8hv4vrx |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}} The film's narrative revolves around an office where a seemingly innocuous package has supernatural contents, which forces the employees to fight for survival. In an interview with The Guardian, Olaitan mentions filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and Robert Rodriguez as directors that inspired him because they came from an industry with limited resources, similar to Nollywood and held on to their vision of reaching a more international audience.

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Category:Nigerian filmmakers

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people