Newton, a renowned filmmaker, was born in Eastern Nigeria in 1966. His family's relocation to Lagos in 1970 marked the end of the Biafran War, a significant event in his early life. Fast forward to 1985, Newton made the bold decision to leave for England to pursue his passion for Engineering. However, fate had other plans as he discovered his true calling in Cinema and enrolled at the prestigious London International Film School. After graduating in 1990, Newton went on to establish his own film production company, Granite Film Works, in 1997.
The turning point in Newton's career came in 2001 when he released his debut feature film, Rage, which made history as the first wholly independently financed film by a black filmmaker to be released nationwide in British cinema. The film received widespread critical acclaim, solidifying Newton's position as a talented and innovative filmmaker.
Between 2005 and 2007, Newton collaborated with Arte France on Ezra, his first non-independently funded film. This marked a significant milestone in his career, as he transitioned from independent filmmaking to working with a major production company.
Newton's impressive credentials were further reinforced when he was appointed Filmmaker in Residence at Festival de Cannes' Cinéfondation in Paris from 2001-2002. This esteemed position allowed him to share his expertise and knowledge with emerging filmmakers, cementing his status as a respected figure in the film industry.
Today, Newton resides in Paris, where he continues to work on various projects, leaving a lasting impact on the world of cinema.
