Award winning actor and producer Demola Yusuf has highlighted the importance of depth, creativity and smart budgeting in making impactful films. His debut feature film Alaise won Best Indigenous Language Yoruba at the 8th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards despite being produced on a modest budget.
He explained that the team worked with far less money than many of the films they later competed against at festivals and award shows. Because of this, they adopted an experimental problem solving approach, constantly looking for creative ways to work within their limits. Yusuf said this process shaped both the film and the team’s working culture.
According to him, Alaise was the result of a collective effort driven by clarity and intention. The recognition the film received showed that it is possible to start small, stay disciplined and still create work that stands out in competitive spaces. He added that the experience now guides how he approaches projects, with more focus on growth, structure and long term value rather than immediate scale.
Yusuf said the current era of high box office returns for Nollywood is a positive sign but must be carefully managed. He noted that the sustainability of billion naira earnings will depend on better distribution, stronger funding structures and serious investment in audience development.
He recently featured in Kukoyi, produced by fellow award winning actor and producer David Akande. Yusuf said he was not surprised that Kukoyi was nominated for Best Indigenous MNET Original Series at the AMVCA 2026.
Reflecting on his journey, he said the Alaise team started as mostly first timers simply trying to tell a good story. They did not realise they were creating a film that would later be recognised at the AMVCA. He described Kukoyi’s nomination as a quiet confirmation that they are evolving in the right direction and proof of consistency, growth and the value of staying together to improve with each project.
Yusuf said he is drawn to stories that feel honest whether they are serious or light. For him, good stories must reflect something real about people and culture. He tries to avoid overcomplicating things and is guided by clarity, emotional truth and strong cultural grounding.
On balancing acting and producing, he explained that acting comes more naturally because it is where he started. Producing, on the other hand, demands discipline, structure, decision making and accountability. While both roles are demanding, he said producing stretches him more because it involves carrying the weight of an entire project.
The University of Ilorin graduate added that studying English and Literature has helped him understand structure, subtext and character in a more deliberate way in Yoruba film. This training allows him to approach stories with more depth instead of relying only on instinct.
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