Femi Odugbemi is an award-winning Nigerian producer, documentary filmmaker, screenwriter, cinematographer, director, and photographer. He is also the Executive Director and Co-founder of the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival.
Femi Odugbemi Background, Net Worth, Movies And Career Journey
Now let us delve into the full biography, history and career journey of the documentary filmmaker.
Femi Odugbemi Background
Femi Odugbemi was born on the 24th of May 1963, in Lagos State to Mr and Mrs Odugbemi. In 1979, Mr Femi attended Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States, and obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Cinematography and Film/Video Production. He graduated from the school in 1985. Also, between 2003 – 2004, Mr Femi studied Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies at the FATE Foundation Lagos.
Femi Odugbemi Career
After Mr Femi’s graduated from the University, he went for his one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to serve his country. Afterwards, he got a job with Lintas Lagos, as a Radio/TV Producer.
In 1991, he resumed at STB-McCANN, as the Associate Creative Director, and moved to Audio Visual First Limited, as the Chief Executive/Executive Producer, until 2005.
Femi Odugbemi, started his production company, Dvworkx Studios in 2005, but closed it down in 2016 and established another production company Zuri 24 Media, in 2017.
Zuri 24 Media is the production company in charge of producing Battleground, a daily TV series aired on DSTV/Africa Magic Network.
Femi Odugbemi is currently the Academy Director (West Africa) of Multichoice Talent Factory. He is also a co-founder of the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival.
Filmography (As a Producer, Director, and Writer)
Like father, like son (a TV sitcom)
Who do you Love? (SFH talk show)
Lagos Lottery TV Gameshow
Who wants to be a Millionaire? (Nigeria’s most popular gameshow)
Ibadan – Cradle of Literati
Life in Lagos – 2002
Bar Beach Blues (Short Drama) – 2004
Oui Voodoo – 2005
Mama Put (TV Movie) – 2005
Metamorphosis – 2006
Maroko (Feature Film) – 2006
Tinsel (TV Series) – 2008
Oriki (Documentary) – 2008
Bariga Boys – 2009
And the Chain was Not (Documentary) – 2010
Abobaku – 2010
Literature, Language and Literalism – 2013
Gidi Blues (Feature Film) – 2016
Makoko, Futures Afloat – 2016
Battleground: Africa Magic (TV Series) – 2017
The Eve (Feature Film) – 2017
4th Estate (Feature Film) – 2018
Missing Pages (Feature Film) – 2018
Olotu – 2018
Code Wilo (Feature Film) – 2019
Femi Odungbemi Quotes
“Today, the only currency you have is how good you are at storytelling.”
“Christianity, being like Christ, is a lifestyle, not a cult. There are roles and different gifts but the only head is Christ.”
“Every story has an end, but in life, every ending is a new beginning.”
“We tell stories for the experience of being alive, how else would we understand the universe, if stories are taken out of it.”
“Stories are the common ground upon which a community is formed. To belong to a tribe is to believe and share the story of the tribe.”
“…The conquest of a tribe is never complete until their story is supplanted; to rid a people of their story is to conquer them and redirect their loyalty.”
“There is no better time indeed for Africans to tell their stories as the world is eager to hear and learn about our diverse cultures. Filmmakers, therefore, need to tell authentic stories that will capture the audience worldwide.”
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“How we turn complex ideas into powerful stories is the difference between success and failure…possibilities and stagnation.”
“The capacity to make and own decisions made is the signpost of maturity. In both personal and public matters. What guides decisions are varied…”
“Potential is not an achievement. It must connect to the process and prove its possibilities.”
“I seek to create visually powerful stories in traditional and digital spaces that are not only different but make a difference.”
“I am passionate about the power of stories, well-told, to persuade, provoke and mediate human experiences. Stories sustain cultures and inspire change. Stories impact governance, development, business, commerce, education, technology and innovation.”
Awards And Recognitions
Aboaku won the Most Outstanding Short Film at the Zuma Film Festival – 2010
Best Costume at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards – 2010
Prestigious Excellence Award of the Society of the Performing Arts of Nigeria (SPAN) – 2013
Distinguished Leadership Award of Nollywood at 20 years – 2013
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian Film Corporation in recognition of his immeasurable contributions towards the growth of the Film industry – 2018
Movie Rock of Fame Award by the Nigerian Film Society under the auspices of the Nigerian Film Corporation – 2018
Oscar Nominations – 2020
Memberships And Fellowships
OSCARS Voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Fellow of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP).
Member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCN).
Provost of the Orange Academy.
Other Appointments And Chairmanships
One-time Chairman of the Lagos International Forum on Cinema, Motion Picture, and Video in Africa.
Appointed to the Steering Committee of the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria, (MOPICON), by the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Speaker of the Africa Business Conference of the Harvard Business School, Boston, USA,
He was one of the speakers at the World Cinema Festival/ Sithengi Market in Capetown, South Africa.
3-time Head Judge of the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) from 2012 to 2014
Head of Jury of the Uganda Film Festival, from 2014-2016.
Juror for the British Council “Shakespeare Lives” project in 2016.
Femi served twice as the Juror for the Emmy Awards in New York.
Former President of the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN). He served from 2002 – 2006.
Entrepreneurial Lessons From Femi Odugbemi
Strive to be the Best in all Your Endeavors
Femi Odugbemi always strives to bring out the best in all his movies, speaking engagements, and the likes. His love for excellence has earned him several awards and recognitions.
