Biodun Stephen is a Nigerian
film director
A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...
, writer and producer, specializing in
romantic drama
Romance films or movies involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters. Typically their journey ...
and
comedy film
A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...
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 government-owned university that is located in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1961 and classes commenced in October 1962 as the University of Ife ...
, where she studied philosophy. After-which, she underwent practical film production training at
London Film Academy.
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
''Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards'' (AMVCA) is an annual accolade presented by MultiChoice recognizing outstanding achievement in television and film. The inaugural Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony was held in Lagos, Lagos State ...
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 Nigerian Movie Industry. The first edition was held on 6 December 2009, in Ikeja, Lag ...
, 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) Maya Awards may refer to:
* Maya Awards (Indonesia)
''Maya Awards'' ( id, Piala Maya) is an annual Indonesian film awards initiated in 2012 by Indonesian online film enthusiasts who were active on Twitter. It follows the concept of similar awards, ...
. 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, Unite ...
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. It was established in 1949 by Obafemi Awolowo and is the oldest running private Nigerian newspaper.
In the colonial era, the newspaper served as the mouthpie ...
, Stephen recalled that being nominated for
AMVCA
''Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards'' (AMVCA) is an annual accolade presented by MultiChoice recognizing outstanding achievement in television and film. The inaugural Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony was held in Lagos, Lagos State ...
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'', ...
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 con ...
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
Nigerian media personalities
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