Today we’d like to introduce you to Kehinde Adebayo
Hi Kehinde, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a Yoruba woman from southwest Nigeria with a successful career in Nigerian law, I discovered my passion for storytelling while attending church. It was during this time that I began relating courtroom dramas to narratives I had crafted, envisioning how real-life stories could be reimagined through fiction and drama to effect positive change in my community.
Growing up in rural Ketu, Lagos State, I witnessed firsthand the prevalence of violence, including heartbreaking scenes of youth mortality, child abuse, and domestic violence. These experiences deeply influenced the stories I tell, drawing inspiration from my days in the courtroom.
My desire to refine Nigerian laws and traditions through the medium of film, while promoting the rich diversity of Nigerian cultures, led me to pursue a diploma in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy. Additionally, I embarked on an MBA program to equip myself with the business acumen needed to establish a law and entertainment consulting firm in the USA.
My goal is to use filmmaking not only as a creative outlet but also as a powerful tool for advocacy. By shedding light on themes that resonate with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 6 — gender equality and access to quality education — as they relate to Nigerian society, I aim to spark dialogue and drive societal change.
This journey represents my commitment to bridging legal and cultural divides between Nigeria and the international community, ultimately creating a platform where stories can inspire, educate, and empower audiences worldwide.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In Nigeria colloquial language, “omo”… It has been a journey. It is one that i can only be grateful for; its losses and gains has been educative .One major challenge i can identify would be the uncertainty of leaving a successful career in law and starting over in a field that most people consider a hobby. I also didn’t have the resources to combat this doubt, as well as make a career out of filmmaking. It took a lot of convincing to get financial and moral support to begin my life as a film student and filmmaker in the USA.
Presently, i would say my major challenge is trying to break into Hollywood as a Nigerian woman. I must also add that navigating the Nigerian film industry in absentia has not been a cake-work. Another major obstacle is adding immigration in concert with the challenges highlighted above. However, i am immensely grateful for family and loved ones. They have helped me remain strong. I am also thankful for the opportunities that await me in my future.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Having worked with several filmmakers home and abroad, i would say my specialty lies in scriptwriting and directing. Besides my current graduate studies, i am also a freelance scriptwriter. Additionally, i keep my directing edge sharp by volunteering my services as a film director to worthy courses. For example, i directed a Youtube short film that is focused on documenting and calling attention to baby mortality days after their birth, as well as the insensitivity of male partners to the tragedy their wives have experienced. In this light, i can say that positive feedbacks from audience affected is why i am most proud of this incredible project.
Subsequently, the success of this project has informed my desire to continue executing projects that are meaningful and impactful to my community. It is worth mentioning that i am presently working on three features with different genres like horror, drama and comedy, while carrying different societal subject matters.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
As a Christian, i believe that grace has played a major role in my successes rather to luck.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenke_maozi?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kehindeadebayo9527?feature=shared
