Lagos – Nigerian film director and producer Kayode Kasum won the Trailblazer Award at the 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) on May 10, 2025. This award recognizes Kasum’s contributions to the Nigerian film industry. The Trailblazer Award highlights his fresh perspective and impact.
Kasum recently produced and directed the 2025 Nigerian movie REEL LOVE, a film by Timini Egbuson. He also directed Dognapped, Nigeria’s first live-action animated film, released in 2017. Dognapped was one of the country’s highest-grossing films.
Career and Impact of Kayode Kasum Trailblazer Award Winner
Kayode Kasum was born in Lagos State on February 2, 1992. He attended Lagos State Model College, Kankon, Badagry, and Yaba College of Technology. His filmmaking career started as a motion graphics designer at Wale Adenuga Productions. He later worked as a producer in an advertising company.
Kasum gained recognition with his 2018 film Oga Bolaji. His directorial work includes Nollywood productions such as Sugar Rush and Toyin Abraham’s Fate of Alakada. He has directed over 10,860 minutes of M-Net’s telenovela series, including Unbroken and Riona. His filmography includes This Lady Called Life, Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards, Quams Money, and the psychological horror film Ile Owo (House of Money).
Kayode Kasum is the fourth-highest-grossing film director in Nigeria. He was nominated for The Future Awards Africa 2019 Prize for Filmmaking and named a top Nollywood film director in 2020. In 2023, he was recognized for directing Something Like Gold, Afamefuna, and Far From Home. The Trailblazer Award acknowledges his work in filmmaking.
By Abiodun Labi
