Her versatility doesn’t end there. Kemi was also the casting director for Disney’s first African animation, ‘Iwaju,’ which premiered on February 28th, 2024 on Disney+.
In celebration of the phenomenal actress & producer, Kemi Lala Akindoju’s 37th birthday on 8th March 2024, which also happens to be International Women’s Day, let’s spotlight one of the trailblazers in the Nigerian movie industry.
Being in Nollywood for over 18 years, Kemi has showcased her versatility in different aspects of filmmaking in Nigeria.
Here are some of the blockbusters she stars in:
‘The Smart Money Woman’ series revolves around five young women and focuses on their spending culture. The series displayed the consumerist nature of a typical middle class in Nigeria. Kemi Lala is also the co-producer of this series.
In the series, Kemi played Adesuwa, a woman dealing with a cheating husband and a troublesome mother-in-law. She is also the co-producer of the show.
Òlòturé is a crime thriller produced by Mo Abudu. Kemi played Blessing, a sex worker who takes her sister along with her on a journey that takes a drastic turn. Òlòturé follows the story of a rookie reporter on a quest to expose human trafficking. The movie became a global hit, reaching the top 10 on Netflix three days after its release.
In ‘Your Excellency‘, directed by Funke Akindele, Kemi played Lina. The movie showcases Nigeria’s political system and is a satirical drama comedy that became the fourth highest-grossing movie in 2019.
Kemi demonstrated her mastery in the film industry by co-producing Amazon’s first original film from Africa, ‘Gang of Lagos.’ The movie follows a group of friends navigating their destiny growing up on the busy streets of Isale Eko, Lagos. The passing of their benefactor forces them to engage in illegal activities for an aspiring politician.
Her versatility doesn’t end there. Kemi was also the casting director for Disney’s first African animation, ‘Iwaju,’ which premiered on February 28th, 2024 on Disney+. The show is set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, and follows the coming-of-age story of Tola and Kole as they explore the city and uncover its secrets.
Kemi Lala Akindoju has won numerous awards including The Future Awards for ‘Best Actor of the Year’, and ‘Most Promising Actor’ at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards, among others.
Her passion for storytelling and versatility continue to inspire other actors and actresses in the movie industry.
Here’s to Kemi and to all the phenomenal women who shape our world with their talent, passion, and resilience.