Nollywood filmmaker Seyi Babatope is the film director, screenwriter, and part-time cinematographer who’s been making waves in Nollywood.
In an exclusive interview with Pulse Nigeria, Seyi opened up about his journey from a wide-eyed student at California State University, Northridge, to a filmmaker with nine feature films under his belt, including his latest dramatic series,Kabiyesi, now streaming on Showmax.
“It’s a very long story.” He credits his time interning at Quentin Tarantino’s company at Banda Parts and later with Andrew D’Ossomoo at RSA USA for laying the groundwork for his career.
“My first feature film is When Love Happens,” he says, adding that each project has been a stepping stone to where he is now.
“I see the intersection of cultural identity and the sophistication of Yoruba culture as something that should be presented beautifully and dramatically,” he explains. “I want to show that we’re not one-dimensional; we are people with serious thoughts and a rich past.”
When discussing his latest project, Kabiyesi, Seyi is candid about his creative process.
“This is my poetic license on a slice of historical fact,” he says. “I stayed true to what was most authentic about that time: architecture, costume design, photography. But at the end of the day, it’s a dramatic presentation meant to capture a true human experience.”
Filmmaking, as Seyi notes, is never without its challenges. “Making a movie is hard, no matter what. I was lucky to work with incredibly gifted people who gave their all,” he admits with a smile.
The project, which spans over 10 hours of content, pushed him to evolve from the anxious filmmaker of a decade ago, when he’d wonder, “Can I make a film?” to a confident storyteller who sees the current landscape as a much larger playing field.
Looking at Nollywood today, Seyi is optimistic. “I hope the future is bright,” he says. “Since 2014, we’ve seen more money, more platforms like Showmax, and a whole new level of production quality. There’s a tendency in Nollywood to do anything with little consequence, but if we focus on making quality products, we can really change the game.”
When asked about untapped projects, Seyi points to the exciting trend of Nigerian talent being showcased globally, like inChildren of Blood and Bone.
“I’d love to see more projects that start here in Nigeria, telling our stories with our own creative vision,” he asserts.
Finally, on casting for Kabiyesi, he credits the confidence instilled in him by the Showmax team. “They said I didn’t have to cast famous people, and that unshackled me,” Seyi explains. “I was free to find the best talent to embody my character without all the baggage of fame. It opened my eyes to what was truly possible.”
With a refreshing blend of honesty and humor, Seyi’s story is a reminder that in Nollywood’s ever-evolving landscape, it’s the passion for storytelling and the willingness to break free from conventions that truly drive success.
