Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Olaoluwa.
Hi Josh, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Josh Olaoluwa, and I am a film producer born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, where my love for cinema began. Growing up in mainland Lagos, I fondly remember gathering with friends at our neighbor’s house, the only one in the neighborhood with a color television. We watched classics like Titanic, Rush Hour, Shaolin Soccer, The Matrix, Tarzan, and Blade on DVD until the discs were scratched.
My fascination with film continued through college, where I studied Marine Biology at the University of Lagos. I joined the media team in my department, curating bi-monthly screenings of wildlife videos. After graduating in 2018, I enrolled in film school, where I made my first short film with my best friend and frequent collaborator, Orire Nwani.
This was my entry point into the industry. Our film school tutors at the time, who had come from the American Film Institute, inspired me with their knowledge, leading me to fully focus on pursuing a career in film. It was a full-circle moment when, five years later, the American Film Institute supported my first production in Los Angeles, where I produced Deep Dish Dimples, starring Brian Michael Smith and Angelica Ross.The film premiered at Slamdance 2025, through the prestigious Film Independent Project Involve Program program. By achieving this feat, I also became the first ever International Fellow of this program in its 32-year history.
Before this, I gained valuable producing experience in the Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, where I produced Netflix original films and TV shows commissioned by Amazon Prime Nigeria. I am also a Fellow of the Torino Film Lab, Red Sea Lab, Biennale College Cinema, Venice, and Global Media Makers.
I attribute my journey to being in the right place at the right time, and seizing the opportunities that this career path has presented. I’ve also always been curious about exploring opportunities beyond my immediate environment and comfort zone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has been anything but smooth! Growing up in a country with limited opportunities and no clear pathways into the film industry has been challenging. In places like America, aspiring filmmakers can attend specialized film schools to refine their craft and even get degrees. However in Nigeria, most film courses are short-term, and we lack enough institutions dedicated solely to creative studies. As a result, many filmmakers are self-taught, trying to navigate a rapidly evolving industry without any formal training or structure.
Initially, the need to leave my country or even the continent to access essential knowledge and resources was not sustainable. It often meant sacrificing my savings and livelihood in the early stages of my career, which was very difficult. It’s been much easier lately because I have also been able to directly benefit from these opportunities, and increase my earning power significantly. A lot of other aspiring filmmakers however do not have this luxury, which is a real challenge.
Representation is also a significant issue. As a Producer, it can be quite frustrating to have to constantly advocate for the importance of telling authentic African stories on the global stage. African narratives are often overlooked in conversations about world cinema, which is disheartening. While progress is being made, there’s still a long way to go to improve this landscape.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an award-winning Nigerian producer passionate about telling authentic African stories. My recent works have been featured on platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, MTV, the Smithsonian Institute, and Amazon Prime Video. At Ebonylife Studios, I produced Netflix’s thriller A Sunday Affair and the limited series Oloture 2.
I also produced GRIND, a limited series that reached number one on Amazon Prime Video Nigeria for eight consecutive weeks, and I produced its second season, which debuted in March 2025.
In 2023, I was honored to receive the New York Foundation for the Arts prize in the Producing category for Love & Seclusion, becoming the only African recipient in the fiction feature category. Additionally, I produced Naked Woman, which was officially selected by the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in D.C. to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd independence.
As a fellow at the Torino Film Lab, Biennale College Cinema in Venice, and Red Sea Labs in Saudi Arabia, I became the first Nigerian to participate in these prestigious programs. Currently based in Los Angeles, I completed a dual fellowship at the Film Independent Project Involve program and the Global Media Makers residency, marking me as the first Nigerian fellow.
My film Deep Dish Dimples premiered at the prestigious Slamdance Film Festival in February 2025, for which I received a special award from the United States Department of State in recognition of my contributions to the Nigerian creative space.
I recently wrapped production in Kenya on the feature film 1 Woman 1 Bra, which is set to premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, making me the first Nigerian producer to have a film showcased there.
When I’m not making films, I enjoy teaching children aged 8-12 how to use a camera, sharing my passion for storytelling with the next generation.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is telling authentic African stories that resonate globally. Growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed how our narratives were often misrepresented in mainstream media, and I felt a strong desire to change that. I aim to create films that reflect the complexities of our experiences and showcase a layered perspective of its people.
I also take pride in bringing to life projects that highlight social issues and systemic oppression. For instance, I worked on Nigeria’s first LGBTQ film, an defiant endeavor in a country where being queer is illegal and carries severe penalties. Filmmaking, for me, is a tool for effecting the changes I want to see in my lifetime.
I remember my first visit to Los Angeles when a friend innocently asked if films were made in Nigeria and whether we had an industry. While I wasn’t offended, it made me think: ‘I hope that in 20 years, a Nigerian kid comes to LA and never hears that question’. If any of my work helps reach broader audiences and put my country’s cinema in more conversations, I believe that would perfectly justify my “why.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Josh_Olaolu
- LinkedIn: https://ng.linkedin.com/in/josh-olaoluwa-57b458208
- Twitter: @Josh_Olaolu
