Kemi Adesoye

Adesoye, a descent of Kwara, was born and raised in the capital of the northern state of Kaduna.[1][2] She is the last of four children.[3]

Adesoye grew up watching films, which cut across various genres such as comedies, thrillers, westerns, dramas and soaps. She gained admission into the university to study architecture. Whilst Adesoye was still an undergraduate, her passion for writing grew when she stumbled on a book titled "The Elements of Script Writing" by Irwin R. Blacker, in her school's science library;[1][2] at this time, she wasn't even aware that scriptwriting is a profession. She later furthered in her field and obtained a master's degree from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.[2]

In the early stages of her writing venture, she was faced with challenges due to the non-existence of scriptwriting schools in Nigeria at the time, as well as lack of encouragement from people.[2] However, after realizing her love for screenwriting, Adesoye started learning scriptwriting from the internet and subsequently, took a screenwriting course at New York Film Academy in the United States.[3]

After graduation, Adesoye worked in a radio station for five years, with writing on the sideline.[3] She wrote her first script in 1998. She attended a workshop at IFBA International Film and Broadcast Academy, where she learnt of an MNet sponsored project called "New Directions". The company was looking for short stories, and she sent in the short script, titled "The Special Gele". The script was eventually selected, along with four other semi finalists. Although she didn't win the competition, she got the encouragement she needed to push further. Two years later, she entered for another edition of the same competition and won, with her script converted into a short film; she competed the following year and won again.[2][4]

The New Directions project offered Adesoye the opportunity to meet Nigerian filmmakers like the late Amaka Igwe and other film producers. Subsequently, Adesoye got on board for the DStv-produced medical series Doctors Quarters. She continued to get average jobs, until she met Kunle Afolayan, for whom she wrote the thriller film The Figurine. The Figurine was released to a wide critical acclaim and ended up winning major awards, including five Africa Movie Academy Awards.[2]

The overwhelming success of The Figurine catapulted Adesoye into one of the most sought after writers in Nollywood; she started writing for major television series such as: Edge of Paradise, Tinsel, Hotel Majestic, and several feature films, including the acclaimed romantic comedy Phone Swap.[2]

• Kemi Adesoye at IMDb