One of Nigeria’s most important filmmakers of this generation, Chris Ihidero, is gearing up for what he describes as the most significant project of his career. His production company, Pinpoint Media, which he founded in 2014, has raised funding for a groundbreaking feature film and, over the past eight weeks, held open and closed auditions for the potential cast.
In an exclusive interview with Netng, Chris Ihidero says he is excited about the upcoming project, which he revealed has been nearly a decade in the making. “The most I can say at this point is that this is my biggest endeavor yet as a writer, producer, director, and someone who’s worked in the industry since 2007—that’s 18 years.”.
Ihidero is an award-winning writer and producer with an impressive body of work in his filmography. He is credited with producing Nigeria’s first full-length animated film, Lady Buckit & The Motley Mopsters, as well as the most watched short film in Nigeria’s history, Big Daddy.
Ihidero, working as the protege of the late great Amaka Igwe, directed over 100 episodes of the critically-acclaimed sitcom Fuji House of Commotion, produced two seasons of Staying Alive Foundation’s MTV Shuga and was the head writer for Hush, widely regarded as ‘Africa Magic’s best telenovela ever’
However, this new project stands apart because “There comes a time in every filmmaker’s life where you have a calling card that you want to put on the table as representative of your creativity, your desire, the strength of your storytelling.
This film feels like that for me. I’ve been at it for a while—this film has been a part of me for almost eight years. I started writing the screenplay four years ago in 2020, and now, I think the time is right. I’m excited about what we’re about to do.”
One of the most intriguing aspects of Ihidero’s filmmaking philosophy is his dedication to discovering and elevating new talents. While major roles will be filled by established actors, the public audition aligns with Pinpoint Media’s tradition of bringing fresh faces to Nollywood.
“My strategy as a filmmaker throughout my career has always been discovering new talents,” Ihidero explained. “When you’re doing a big blockbuster like this and have to use known faces, you also want to find something fresh—someone unseen before. I believe in the capacity of the Nigerian actor to prove themselves at any height when given the opportunity.”
Pinpoint Media regularly holds open auditions, allowing actors to join various projects. This approach has played a crucial role in Nollywood’s talent pipeline. “Specifically for this film, we’re looking for faces and talents we haven’t seen before—people who can bring a fresh attitude and new experiences to what we’re about to do,” he said.
“We want to take them along, discover new people, and help them become the megastars they can be.”
Ihidero’s track record in talent discovery speaks for itself. “For instance, a lot of the actors who are now mainstays in Nollywood were people we discovered during the open auditions for MTV Shuga. I auditioned Adesua Etomi and Jemima Osunde in 2015 and gave them their first big roles. The same goes for Abayomi Alvin, Chimezie Imo, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, and many others.
Pinpoint Media, with bases in Nigeria and the UK, has become a powerhouse for compelling African narratives. While the company continues to do story consulting and produce its other projects, all eyes are on Ihidero and his team to deliver this blockbuster set for release later in 2025.
