Bolanle Austen-Peters Emphasizes Global Excellence in Nigerian Filmmaking

Bolanle Austen-Peters, the director of Netflix’s House of Ga’a, has shared her passion for creating films with rich historical narratives that showcase the best of Nigeria. In a recent interview on Rubbin’ Minds, Austen-Peters explained that her work is driven by a desire to present Nigerian stories with a high standard of excellence, aiming for a global audience.

“I do what I do because I enjoy it; telling Nigerian stories through the different avenues that I have, ensuring that we put Nigeria on the front burner. People get to see the best out of Nigeria. This is the connect for Nigerians in the diaspora. We bring home to them wherever they are,” Austen-Peters said.

Her journey into storytelling began in the theatre, where she directed notable stage productions like Saro, the Musical. Now, as a filmmaker, she leverages her theatrical background to deliver high-quality cinematic experiences.

“The strength that I bring in is also the strength that I have had from stage. The years of honing my skill on stage have taught me that you can’t cheat. People see everything,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and precision in her work.

Austen-Peters stressed the importance of not compromising on quality, regardless of the target audience. She believes in producing content that meets international standards, reflecting the global nature of today’s media consumption.

“We see movies abroad and they spend billions of dollars to give you the content they give you for you to chew. In Nigeria, we have to get to the point where we cannot compromise. We cannot compromise talents. We cannot think that we’re operating for a local audience. The world is smaller. Everything you do here is seen across many oceans in nanoseconds. I’m not operating with the mindset that this is local. I’m operating with a mindset that whatever I do must have that global standard of excellence in it,” she stated.

Through her work, Austen-Peters continues to elevate Nigerian storytelling, ensuring that it resonates with audiences worldwide and meets the highest standards of cinematic excellence.

Watch the full interview below.