Kunle Afolayan Biography
Kunle Afolayan is a renowned Nigerian actor, producer and director who has made several award-winning and innovative Nollywood movies. He comes from a family with a rich theatrical and cinematic background. His father, Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan, popularly known as Ade Love, was a pioneer of Nigerian cinema and a respected film director and producer.
He was raised in Lagos State and completed his primary and secondary schooling there. Later, he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics at the University of Lagos. He initially worked as a banker and a part-time actor, before deciding to pursue a full-time career in filmmaking.
Kunle Afolayan founded his own film production company, Golden Effects Pictures, in 2005. He made his directorial debut with Irapada, a supernatural thriller that won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language in 2006. He has since directed and produced many acclaimed films, such as The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, Citation, and Aníkúlápó.
Kunle Afolayan Age
Kunle Afolayan is 58 years old as 2024.
Kunle Afolayan State Of Origin
Kunle Afolayan hails from Kwara State, Nigeria.
Kunle Afolayan Early Life and Education
Kunle Afolayan was born on September 30, 1975 in Ebute Metta, Lagos State, Nigeria. He comes from a family with a rich theatrical and cinematic background.
His father, Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan, popularly known as Ade Love, was a pioneer of Nigerian cinema and a respected film director and producer. His siblings and relatives are also involved in the film industry as actors and filmmakers.
He was raised in Lagos State and completed his primary and secondary education there. Later, he attended the University of Lagos, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He initially worked as a banker and a part-time actor, before deciding to pursue a full-time career in filmmaking.
He enrolled in the New York Film Academy, where he earned a diploma in digital filmmaking. He also attended several workshops and seminars on film production and directing, both locally and internationally.
Kunle Afolayan Career
Kunle Afolayan began his career as a banker and a part-time actor, before deciding to pursue his passion for filmmaking. He enrolled in the New York Film Academy, where he earned a diploma in digital filmmaking.
Afolayan made his directorial debut in 2006 with “Irapada,” a supernatural thriller that received the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. He followed up with The Figurine: Araromire, another supernatural thriller that won five awards at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2010. The Figurine was also successful in Nigerian cinemas, and was screened at several international film festivals.
Afolayan continued to produce and direct acclaimed films, such as Phone Swap, a romantic comedy that featured Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, Nse Ikpe Etim and Chika Okpala. “Phone Swap” earned the Public Choice Award at the inaugural Nollywood Week in Paris. Additionally, he directed “October 1,” a historical thriller that garnered 16 major African movie awards in 2015. It also became the second highest-grossing Nigerian film in Nigerian cinemas upon its release.
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Kunle Afolayan Movies
Kunle Afolayan is a prolific Nigerian actor, producer and director who has made many movies in different genres and languages. Some of his movies are:
- Irapada (Redemption) (2006): A supernatural thriller that won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language.
- The Figurine: Araromire (2009): Another supernatural thriller that won five awards at the Africa Movie Academy Awards and was successful in Nigerian cinemas.
- Phone Swap (2012): A romantic comedy that featured Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, Nse Ikpe Etim and Chika Okpala. Phone Swap won the Public Choice Award at the first edition of Nollywood Week, Paris.
- October 1 (2014): A historical thriller that won 16 major African movie awards in 2015 and was the second highest grossing Nigerian film in Nigerian cinemas at the time of its release.
- The CEO (2016): A mystery drama that featured Angelique Kidjo, Wale Ojo, Kemi Lala Akindoju and Hilda Dokubo. The CEO was premiered on an Air France flight from Lagos to Paris¹².
- The Bridge (2017): A drama that explored the cultural differences and prejudices between the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups in Nigeria. The Bridge featured Demola Adedoyin, Chidinma Ekile, Zack Orji and Tina Mba.
- Roti (2017): A drama that dealt with the theme of reincarnation and the loss of a child. Roti featured Kunle Afolayan, Kate Henshaw, Toyin Oshinaike and Fathia Balogun.
- The Tribunal (2017): A drama that addressed the issue of albinism and discrimination in the Nigerian society. The Tribunal featured Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Funsho Adeolu, Nobert Young and Ade Laoye.
- Mokalik (Mechanic) (2019): A comedy that followed the career of an 11-year-old boy who spent the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop. Mokalik featured Simi Ogunleye, Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji and Ayo Adesanya.
- Citation (2020): A drama that addressed the issue of sexual harassment in academia. Citation featured Temi Otedola, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ini Edo and Joke Silva.
- Swallow (2021): A crime drama that explored the themes of corruption, drug trafficking, and women empowerment in Nigeria. Swallow featured Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Deyemi Okanlawon, Mercy Aigbe and Kunle Afolayan.
- A Naija Christmas (2021): A comedy that depicted a mother’s Christmas wish and the competition between her sons. A Naija Christmas featured Lateef Adedimeji, Abayomi Alvin, Uzoamaka Aniunoh and Kunle Afolayan.
- Aníkúlápó (2022): A biopic of the legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Aníkúlápó featured Gabriel Afolayan, Bimbo Ademoye, Kareem Adepoju and Kunle Afolayan.
- Ijogbon (2023): A thriller that narrated the story of four teenagers who stumbled upon a pouch of uncut diamonds. Ijogbon featured Fawas Aina, Ebiesuwa Oluwaseyi, Ruby Akubueze and Kayode Ojuolape.
Kunle Afolayan Awards
Kunle Afolayan is a celebrated Nigerian actor, producer and director who has won and been nominated for many awards for his films. Some of his awards are:
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language for Irapada (2006)
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Nigerian Film for The Figurine (2010)
- Public Choice Award at the NollywoodWeek Paris for Phone Swap (2013)
- Golden Jury Award for Best Film at the Abuja International Film Festival for Phone Swap (2012)
- Festival Prize for Outstanding Film Directing at the Abuja International Film Festival for Phone Swap (2012)
- Best Director at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for October 1 (2015)
- Best Film at the Africa International Film Festival for October 1 (2014)
- Best Film at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for October 1 (2015)
- Best Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for October 1 (2015)
- Best Film at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Citation (2021)
- Best Film at the Africa International Film Festival for Citation (2020)
- Best Film at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Citation (2021)
- – Best Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Citation (2021)
- Best Film at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Aníkúlápó (2022)
- Best Film at the Africa International Film Festival for Aníkúlápó (2022)
- Best Film at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Aníkúlápó (2022)
- Best Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Aníkúlápó (2022)
Kunle Afolayan Wife and Children
Kunle Afolayan was married to Tolu Afolayan, a celebrity jeweler, from 2007 to 2019. They had four children together: two daughters, Eyiyemi and Darasimi, and two sons, Diekoloreoluwa and Darimisire. However, their marriage reportedly ended due to Kunle’s alleged infidelity.
Kunle Afolayan Net Worth
Kunle Afolayan has a net worth of $1.5 million as of 2024.
Kunle Afolayan Social Media Handles
- Facebook: Kunle Afolayan
- Instagram: @KunleAfo
- Twitter: @KunleAfolayan
