‘How I became ‘Queen’ of Nollywood in United Kingdom

Theodora Ibekwe – Oyebade is the founder and first President of the Actors’ Guild of Nollywood UK, founding member of the Nollywood Producers’ Guild UK, and the first Nollywood personality in the UK to be conferred with a royal title ‘Ada Ka Ibeya- Ezenwanyi’ UK Nollywood. An actress, TV presenter,  face of ZAFAA, Brand Ambassador for Chamy perfumes, the CEO of a beauty pageant, events organiser and promoter of Nollywood movies in the UK, she spoke to ROTIMI IGE about her passion for promoting Nollywood on a global stage, among other issues.

Tell us about yourself, family and educational background

I was born in Benin, the second child of my parents who hail from Owerri, Imo State. I was fortunate to be one of the youngest in Auchi Polytechnic where I studied Education, later becoming a teacher. I also studied Accounting at University of Lagos.

How did you venture into acting? Which film gave you the desired break into the entertainment industry?

I was already a television presenter and a following, as a result, I was asked to stand in for an absent MC at an event, which was attended by a budding film producer. He was rather impressed with me and asked if I’d like to be the female lead in his new movie ’Heavy Mama in London’. While filming, I joined a television series and honed my acting skills. Since then, I have appeared in numerous films:, ‘Amina’, which starred Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Van Vicker; Shattered Hearts (2012); Heartless Carer (2012; Shameful Deceit (2013), produced by my humble self; Battered (2013); Purity of Heart (2013); At Home Abroad (TV Drama series 2014); 18 Carat Mama  (2014); Mum, Dad, Meet Sam (2015); Silent Journey (Post Production 2017); Murderer-in-Law (2015); Jacuzzi (2015) among others.

What role do you really love to play in a film?

No specific role as such, however, I would like to play a strong character with a great message perhaps a woman from Nigeria’s past history.

Many people prefer to stay within their comfort zone. Was there any risk you took which eventually paid off?

The biggest risk I have taken is producing my first film, ‘Shameful Deceit’. It’s not easy taking the step to produce a film, some people may think it’s just about having the funds but as a producer, you have to be a people person and be able to bring the right cast and crew together. It was a daunting prospect producing the film but the reward was the huge turnout at the London premiere and it has had some success around the world.

Challenges faced in the industry?

There are always challenges but I cannot say that I took much notice so I cannot really name them. However, finance is a challenge that cannot be ignored and remains so in terms of producing good films. Other challenges have been easily overcome by my determinedness and personality. Other challenges are human nature, that is jealousy and character defamation, which causes apathy by unintelligent people willing to lap up everything they hear and act on it to my detriment. I do not respond to these.

You’re an actress, why did you decide to become a producer? Any plans to go into directing as well?

I was part of the crew on ‘Amina’ and my duties were wide ranging. Afterwards, I felt that I was ready to be a producer. However, the real inspiration was one of my young cousins, who challenged me to produce a film since I seemed to be so good at many things. He arranged for some scripts to be sent to me and I chose one, ‘Shameful Deceit’.

Is the Nigerian entertainment industry in the UK as vibrant and financially rewarding as the one back home?

A simple no. Nollywood is much more established and the participators are full-time. In the UK, we have very little financial backing and therefore most of our films are low budget. There is no real distribution, which means that we only premiere our movies and assess success by the number of guests that turn out. Even where we get limited distribution, the reward is very little. However, outside bodies are taking notice of us and we look forward to collaborations.

You are the pioneer of the UK Nollywood Producers’ Guild as well as the Founder and President of Actors Guild UK Nollywood. What motivated you to set up the Actors’ Guilds and the challenges faced in establishing same?

I am proud to be a founding member of the UK Nollywood Producers’ Guild and Founder and first President of Actors’ Guild of UK Nollywood. I cannot say that it has been getting either Guild off the ground as there is so much expectation from Members but very little funds to achieve anything right now. It was indeed a challenge to set up AGUKN. I had thought about it a few years ago but was discouraged by some that considered it a big risk; other Guilds had been formed and there had been disagreements that led them to disband. I had to be patient. When I was made a Queen and conferred the title ‘Ezenwanyi UK Nollywood’, it just felt right to set up the Guild. I was chosen by the initial members to be President though.

How has the response been from your colleagues especially the men?

It’s been mixed because two very close allies, whom I brought to the limelight have become enemies, publicly declaring war on me and threatening to wreck my progress because of imagined wrongs and jealousy’ however, others have even apparently “dethroned” me; however, I have received support from many quarters, most of my peers have accepted my being Ezenwanyi  UK Nollywood; I’d say most of my male colleagues have been supportive.

You’re the first Nollywood personality in the UK to be conferred with a royal title ‘Ada Ka Ibeya – Ezenwanyi’ UK Nollywood, take us back to when you were informed that you were going to be a Queen and how did the event go?

I was approached by a traditional King who said he was impressed by the way I had been promoting and supporting Nollywood and that he had the authority and backing to make me a Queen, . After the ceremony held in Port Harcourt, I promised to continue promoting the industry, this inspired me to set up the Actors Guild of UK Nollywood.

Would you say Nollywood UK Producers have better quality productions, more opportunities and ease to get into the mainstream than their colleagues in Nigeria?

We do have good quality productions but less established practitioners and no real track record. UK Nollywood films are not yet widely seen unlike Nigerian films that are seen all over the world. Our actors are not all professional yet as there really isn’t the finance to pay a good wage for them to become full-time actors. Mainstream seems a pipe dream right now for us in the UK even though we do have opportunities here and there to be a small part of it.

How accessible are funds for producing films in the UK? 

Essentially, most Producers have to save up their hard earned salaries to make their movies only a few have backers although they are not willing to risk significant amounts. We need funds to develop our Scripts; Pre-Production; Principal Photography; Post Production and Marketing. For this reason, Distribution is rather difficult to access.

Is there a disconnect between the UK Guilds and the ones in Nigeria?

Essentially, yes, UK Guilds are Africa oriented not just for Nigerians. At some point, there will be affiliations.

What can be done to strengthen the relationship between Nollywood UK and the Nollywood industry back home?

More collaborations, already actors, producers and directors are already criss-crossing between Nigeria and U.K. Loads of our movies have Nigeria based stars and vice versa.