The year was 2021. I had been roving around Benin City as I was still exploring the film industry. I had lots of questions. ‘Can I do this?’ ‘Should I make waves or not?’ I just wanted to play my part. I heard about Benin City Film Festival. I did not even know what a film festival was about. But I knew it had to be an event that had something to do with filmmaking. So I plunged into uncertainty and went to G.R.A Benin City, and attended the Benin City Film Festival. I saw the real life faces of the names I used to see on TV. One of whom was Chief Peddie Okao, the creator of Ikoka. I also met Director Davidson Izegaegbe.
I took a seat and there was this nice looking babe seated at the back. This setup was my introduction to my first film festival experience. As I soon learnt, a film festival is actually an event, a convention for filmmakers to network, watch and critic films.
The film veteran, Chief Peddie Okao spoke some film wisdom and then a forthright man came into the room and sat down. This man had presence and a lot of ambitious energy. I sat still and observed him. He requested for the microphone and it was given him. I will paraphrase whatever I can remember from his speech.
“Some filmmakers avoid associating with experienced filmmakers because of their character. I want to use this medium to tell us that what is important is not the character but what you want to learn from them. They will not charge you for their experience so stay with them and learn. Everything you learn on the job will become useful someday.”
This was my introduction to Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran.
I barely remember other comments from that film festival. But I remember his and it has been quite instrumental in my journey today as a Screenwriter. We began talking and he admitted that just like me, he studied Agricultural Economics and Extension Services. He was a writer and an Agric Student. He had been in the film industry since 2002, over 2 decades and has been offering his services to many professionals in the film industry – in creative, technical and managerial capacities. I therefore considered it great honor for me to be the first person to write an official write-up of this relentless creative.
In 2023 we got to work together on ‘Rita’s Draughts’ for ROK Studios. And ‘Agbaka’ and many other projects that are still in the pipeline. One of the hardest things on a film set is looking for fast solutions to unexpected problems. Sometimes the location will have to be changed. Sometimes a lead actor might fail to show up. Osazee’s most remarkable quality is his energy and drive to solve problems as soon as they come up during filming. As a film producer, you want someone responsible, someone reliable who will go the extra mile to ensure the completion of your project. That man is Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran. He will tell you exactly what to do to ensure the success of your film project, no matter how tough the situation gets.
Anyway, let’s examine the film profile of this indefatigable director.
NEPA BLUES: In 2023, this great project was shot in Benin City and has stars like Segun Arinze, Etinosa Idemudia, Benjamin Olaye, Victory Idahosa. This dramedy (drama + comedy) was directed by Kabat Esosa Egbon and Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran. The first season of this series has 13 episodes and Osazee did deliver on so many levels to ensure the success of this project. One crazy aspect of a filmmaking project is the tendency for roles to overlap, especially among crew members. This can be quite tasking but when you have an experienced and capable hand like Osazee Osagie on hand, you have nothing to worry about. By the way, Nepa Blues taught me that nothing can stand in the way of true love. “Na just time e go take, even stammerer sef go answer e Papa name.”
EFEOMO: This ROK Studios project was directed by Kabat Esosa Egbon and Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran and was shot in Benin City. Efeomo (Hadiza Abubakar) returned to her village to unravel the mystery behind her father’s demise. This film is suspenseful and quite colorful as it showcases our indigenous talent, a testament to Osazee Osagie’s devotion to promoting his State of Origin. Efeomo teaches me that eventually, the truth always comes out.
BENEDICTION: This ROK Studios project was directed by Kabat Esosa Egbon and Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran. It tells the story of a young woman who has amnesia. Osazee’s masterful direction of this film in collaboration with the expertise of the veteran filmmaker, Kabat Esosa Egbon brought this remarkable film to life. It is one of the most highly rated films in the ROK Studios Platform. This film teaches us to value every moment we breathe in this life as it can all be lost in a second.
RITA’S DRAUGHTS: Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran co-directs with the legendary Kabat Esosa Egbon in this inspirational story written b Aimiuwu Nosazeme Esosa. The most tricky thing about being a Director is having the confidence to direct actors, some of whom are quite often, more popular than you. The beauty of filmmaking is that you get to fathom the depth of your own character. You learn how resilient you are, especially when you the director. Directing is no child’s play, because you are constantly juggling several things at the same time. You are attending to actors, addressing costume department, relating with the director of photography, and constantly repairing faulty sections of a screenplay. And a lot more. While a Director’s job is simply to bring the best out of every scene, he has to be adept and in tune not just with the story but also other film departments that might limit his ability and consequently his reputation to do so. Osazee Osagie was able to deliver on so many levels in this unique film which was done for Rok Studios. Rita’s Draughts teaches me to never give up, even when it seems everything is against me.
IJEUWA: Osazee Osagie has a tremendous amount of vigor and vim for the visually illustrative art of filmmaking as is evidenced in Ijeuwa. Shot on location in Enugu, he combines effort with Kabat Esosa Egbon to direct this remarkable film about a young woman pushing the boundaries of femininity. Osazee also appears in some scenes in the ROK Studios film. This story teaches me that our limitations are unreal. We can push boundaries when we are brave enough.
BEADS OF FORTUNE: This story as directed by Kabat Esosa Egbon and Osazee Osagie Ikpefuran is an out of the bottle story of a young woman who acquires a bead which was supposed to bring her prosperity but eventually ends up teaching her several vital lessons of life. I learned from this story that there is more to life than the acquisition of wealth.
EDO DECREE 1440: This narrative as written and directed by Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran tells us about the effect of the Decree of the Benin Monarch, the Oba of Benin which discouraged the trafficking of individuals overseas. This film is energetic and humorous. This film reminds Edo people to be mindful of our culture and traditional values and to desist from wicked and inhumane acts of exploitation.
UNLUCKY: Osazee Osagie is the Associate Producer on this film, executed by Tana Adelana, which is quite remarkable as it showcases his dexterity as a filmmaker who has gathered several experiences in different filmmaking departments over the years. I loved this film because it reflects the current realities of many relationships and marriages today. I love Tana Adelana’s acting by the way. She has a special natural vibe that makes her acting come to life. I commend her for bringing her work to Benin City in collaboration with the Edo Film Project.
ITALO: Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran plays a major role as the Unit Production Manager/Location Manager in Rogers Ofime’s latest project ‘Italo’. Italo has stars like Henry Iyobosa Legemah and Angela Eguavoen amongst many others. This film reminds us that the past has a way of catching up with us.
Other epic works, include: Scroll of Amadioha and those in Edo language are: Akpanigiakon, Ovienrioba, Ugbezebete, and Oduagbon.
CONCLUSION: Osazee Osagie Ikpefunran is known for his energetic and smart presence, whether as a writer, actor, director, or in any other role assigned to him. He is the sort of indispensible and indefatigable filmmaker who is eager to support your film project until completion. Remember the saying, “All success in life comes from task completion. If you don’t complete tasks, you have no future”. I sincerely commend Osazee Osagie’s hardwork and fierce devotion and wish him more success in his career and his indefatigable desire to broadcast Edo To The World.
