Our Woman Crush Wednesday, Biodun Stephen is at the top of Nollywood. Year after year, the Nigerian – and global – audience can count on her for top-notch entertainment.
Biodun started out in the industry as a writer and voiceover artist for the radio series Straight from the Heart on Raypower 100.5 FM. After graduating with a BSc in Philosophy, she worked as an advertising copywriter at Insight Communications, while also featuring on screen in the long-running TV series Spider.
In the quest to develop her craft and skill, Biodun attended the London Academy for Film and TV in 2012 majoring in film production. She returned to Nigeria and began her radio show Whispers, which aired till 2018. She delved into film production with the movie The Visit which was widely celebrated and got a nomination for Best Movie West Africa at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Biodun has now produced and directed many notable films over the years, amassing massive feats along the way. A notable one is the No.1 spot on the Iroko TV viewers’ choice three years successively from 2017 to 2019, with the audience enthralled by films such as Ovy’s Voice, Picture Perfect, Looking for Baami, and Joba, and drawn to box office successes such as Breaded Life, Introducing the Kujus, Progressive Tailors Club, Aki and Paw Paw, and A Simple Lie. Her other productions with M-Net which include Love Unusual and Ringer have also been applauded. Her latest film Sista will be screened at this year’s MIPCOM Cannes.
Biodun is a passionate storyteller, one that infuses teachable lessons and delightful humour. She is also passionate about imparting knowledge to the next generation of filmmakers and has been a panelist or facilitator at several Nigerian and international fora. Staying through to her nature, she would be teaching creatives how to get their film concepts actualised in a masterclass at this year’s Lagos Creative Enterprise Week.
Her passion for quality entertainment, combined with skills in the various aspects of filmmaking, has helped bring to life over 30 film projects. Pride Magazine Nigeria today celebrates Biodun Stephen whose goal is to be part of the generation that proudly showcases Nollywood to the world.