Seyi Babatope, a Nigerian American filmmaker, has dedicated his career to blending his Hollywood training with the vast potential of the Nigerian film industry. Born and raised in Nigeria during his formative years, he later relocated to the United Kingdom and Los Angeles to pursue his education and professional goals.
Seyi earned a degree in Cinema and Television Arts from California State University Northridge, laying the foundation for his filmmaking expertise. He began his career as an intern at A Band Apart Productions, a production company owned by Lawrence Bender and Quentin Tarantino, and later worked under the guidance of renowned filmmaker Jake Scott, son of legendary director Ridley Scott.
Throughout his career, Seyi has worked tirelessly in the film and television industry, shooting commercials, including one for Range Rover, and honing his skills on various sets in Los Angeles. He has also been instrumental in the wave of video production that propelled Nigerian music to global recognition, dating back to the early 2000s.
As a master of bringing together talented individuals, Seyi has collaborated with numerous skilled professionals, including Jason Mann, who accompanied him to Nigeria to film projects and went on to win Project Greenlight, an initiative founded by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for HBO.
After returning to Nigeria about six years ago, Seyi made his feature film debut with "When Love Happens," which became an instant hit and was released in four countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom. The film received award nominations, festival selections, and a historic licensing deal with Netflix, the world's largest internet TV platform.
Since then, Seyi has produced four other feature films, including a family-friendly film titled "Lunch Time Heroes," as well as television series, music videos, and television commercials. With his extensive experience and passion for showcasing authentic Nigerian and African voices on the global stage, Seyi is well-positioned to play a key role in bringing African cinematic expression to the forefront.
Passionate about sustaining the momentum the continent is experiencing, Seyi aims to ensure that African film becomes a staple on the global calendar for years to come.
