Anthony Chukwunonso Ikeanyionwu, an aspiring filmmaker, describes the Nigerian film industry as highly competitive and fraught with setbacks.

In a recent interview, the self-taught film director said he used his background as a communications expert and marketer to pursue a career in the film industry.

Ikeanyionwu, who has worked on critically acclaimed productions, spoke about his career path and said that filmmaking is essentially a collaborative art form that embraces the ideas and contributions of the cast and crew.

“The film industry is a tough arena, full of rejections, budget constraints and production challenges. But I have learnt to be resilient and persevering. As I said earlier, building a strong network is crucial and has been instrumental in my journey,” he shared, aiming to inspire the audience with his determination.

He further noted that as a filmmaker, he strives to explore universal themes that resonate with the audience and tailor them to the Nigerian audience, while maintaining global appeal.

“Whether it’s themes of love, identity, justice or resilience, I want to delve into the human experience and inspire reflection and introspection. My approach to storytelling involves creating authentic characters, compelling stories and immersive worlds that allow viewers to connect emotionally and intellectually with the story being told,” he added, aiming to stimulate the audience’s intellect.

According to Ikeanyionwu, his journey in Nigerian cinema began in his childhood when he first came across a camera. That was when he knew he had found his purpose in life. Since then, his trajectory has been centered around storytelling, creativity and filmmaking, a journey that many can relate to and be inspired by.

So far, Ikeanyionwu’s journey in the Nigerian movie world has seen him showcase his creativity in productions like ‘Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons’ (2018), ‘Bad Comments’ (2021), ‘Christmas in Miami’ (2021) and ‘10 Days in Sun City’ (2017).

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