LIFACC ADVISER SERIES
Bolanle Austen-Peters
The founder of Terra Kulture, on Lagos Island, Bolanle Austen-Peters has distinguished herself a Nigerian movie director, theater producer and cultural entrepreneur. She is the founder and artistic director of BAP Productions and the arts.
At 52, Bolanle has conquered both film and theatre, having earned the title, ‘Queen of Nigerian Theatre’ by which she is fondly referred.
Under Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, all of the six stories she has told through theatre have been applauded by fans and critics, receiving both local and international accolades. Her first known work under Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, ‘Saro the Musical’ received nods from international media houses including the BBC and Sky News. Her second work, ‘Wakaa the Musical’ became the first Nigerian Musical to be staged in London’s West End.
It also recorded a historic sold out show at the Shaw theatre London from July 21 – 25, 2016. With ‘Fela’ and ‘The Kalakuta Queens’ musical, she produced one of the biggest shows out of West Africa with over 120,000 people watching it in Lagos, Cairo and down south in Pretoria between 2017 and 2020.
Her impact on the film industry is also undeniable. She co-produced ’93 Days’, a feature film on the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. The film was selected for premiering and viewing at The Toronto International Film Festival, The Chicago Film Festival, The Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, The Johannesburg Film Festival, The Africa Film Festival in Cologne/Germany, and RapidLion Award.
With 13 nominations, it became the highest-nominated film at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. It also received seven nominations at the 2017 African Movie Academy Awards.
Little wonder CNN described Bolanle as the “woman pioneering theater in Nigeria”, just as she was named one of the most influential women in Africa by Forbes Afrique and been recognised with several awards for her contribution to the arts and film sector in Africa.
Bolanle Austen-Peters will be on hand to share her story and add value to the forthcoming convention. She uses his wealth of knowledge in a specific area of film and media events for guidance and benefit of LIFACC’: meet with LIFACC officers as the need arises to offer advice and guidance for the overall success of the convention. Above all, he’s expected to use his position to promote LIFACC 2023