Nollywood’s Master Builder
If Nollywood were a construction site, Kunle Afolayan would be the foreman, architect, and interior designer rolled into one. As CEO of Golden Effects Pictures, he’s spent nearly two decades turning Nigerian cinema from “quick and quirky” to “global and glossy.”
Forget the days of reel-to-reel and living room premieres. Afolayan came in with a new vision — higher technical standards and infrastructure development that has accelerated our storytelling. Just as importantly, his production model creates real demand for skilled crew and apprentices. These are the exact opportunities that align with TAFTA’s mission of training a new generation of filmmakers who are not just storytellers but also studio-ready professionals.
From Actor to Auteur
Kunle Afolayan didn’t just walk into Nollywood; he was born into it. His debut in Saworoide, directed by his legendary father Ade Love, was more than a cameo. It was an eye-opening moment, but for Afolayan, there was more.
In 2005, he launched Golden Effects Pictures with a mission: to drag Nollywood out of its “home video” era and into the cinematic era. That mission unfolded on screens in 2009 with The Figurine (Araromire), a supernatural thriller that mixed folklore, suspense, and production polish like a cocktail shaken by the gods.
That was a turning point! Critics gasped. Audiences clapped. And just like that, “New Nollywood” came into existence.
Kunle Afolayan – Figurine movie still. Image: BellaNaija
Landmark Films That Changed the Game
Since The Figurine, Afolayan doesn’t just raise the bar, he builds a new one every time. His October 1 (2014) confirmed his director reputation and swept the AMVCAs. With Mokalik (2019), he proved his versatility and gained international technical recognition from Canon. Citation (2020) demonstrated his commitment to socially engaged stories, while Aníkúlápó (2022) became a Netflix-backed Yoruba-language epic that achieved record-breaking streaming success and expanded into a sequel series.
Each film illustrates not only Afolayan’s range but also his steady push for higher technical standards, cultural depth, and global distribution.
Kunle Afolayan, Anikulapo film poster. Image: QEDNG Youtube
Building Villages, Not Just Films
Perhaps Afolayan’s most lasting impact lies behind the camera. While many filmmakers focus only on projects, he has invested in infrastructure that supports the entire production ecosystem.
With Golden Effects Pictures remaining the foundation, Afolayan expanded his vision with KAP Hub and KAP Motion Pictures — multi-purpose production villages that house soundstages, editing suites, training facilities, and spaces for creative collaboration. These hubs are designed not only for his films but also for Nollywood as a whole, offering apprenticeships and technical training opportunities for young professionals, mirroring TAFTA’s model.
By insisting on global practices — from shooting on 35mm to prioritizing cinema-first releases — Afolayan has raised expectations for what Nollywood production should look like.
Kunle Afolayan, KAP film village. Image: Myafrik Blog
Awards, Accolades, and Global Applause
The recognition has matched the ambition. When Afolayan drops a film, awards follow like paparazzi. October 1 and Aníkúlápó both swept major AMVCA categories, highlighting excellence in directing, cinematography, and production design. Internationally, Canon gave him flowers at IBC 2019, acknowledging Afolayan’s innovation in digital cinematography, further cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with technical authority.
His voice also resonates in global forums. In a Variety interview, he emphasized that African audiences should not be treated as “second class” and that local stories deserve world-class treatment. Speaking to The Guardian, he boldly claimed Aníkúlápó could rival the cultural footprint of Game of Thrones. And guess what? The numbers backed him up.
Kunle Afolayan, Canon Awards. Image: The Lagos Review
Raising Standards, Opening Doors
Afolayan’s legacy isn’t just in the films, it’s in the doors he’s kicked open. He’s shown that Nigerian stories, when told with care and ambition, can travel far. His Netflix deals prove that Yoruba epics can sit at the same table as Western fantasies.
Just as significantly, his production villages and studio models create jobs for cinematographers, set designers, editors, and sound technicians. This is where the TAFTA link becomes clear: the academy’s trainees, once skilled, can find real opportunities in the ecosystems Afolayan has built.
The Blueprint for Tomorrow
From The Figurine to Aníkúlápó, Kunle Afolayan isn’t just making movies — he’s making moves. He has raised Nollywood’s standards while building the physical and institutional frameworks needed for its future.
For TAFTA trainees, his model is a living example of how technical training and structured apprenticeships translate into real industry opportunities. He’s not just building Nollywood. He’s building pathways. And those pathways? That’s where the next generation of African filmmakers will walk with steeze, skill, and stories that shake the world.
