Emem Isong

Emem Isong (5th of September) is a Nigerian screenwriter, film producer, and film director. She has become known primarily for films in the English language, and is a dominant figure in the Nollywood industry. Her second directed feature, Code of Silence, which deals with rape in Nigeria, was released in 2015.

Emem Isong in 2020

Quotes

• Royal Arts Academy will contribute to the transformation, development and growth of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole, by offering first class training to students who would go on to produce excellent films that would place Nollywood at par with the international community. This training will be provided by industry professionals within and outside the country.
  • [1] Emem opens acting academy in 2009.

• I’m very happy doing what I’m doing. I have strong passion for it. And whenever I finish a movie and come across people who are enjoying my movies, I always feel elated.
  • [2] Emem in an interview in 2011.

• This is my first time to do a true life story. It was challenging for me. We spent weeks doing research in the creeks of Bayelsa, learning the culture of the people. My choice of cast fit the character in reality.
  • [3] Emem speaks on her most challenging movie in 2014.

• Every country should respect its own local industry. We must look for ways to help Nigerians who put in a lot of hard work whether as cast or crew members. Their hope is to be able to earn a living from the sacrifices and efforts they put into supporting the production of the movies the Nigerian audience consume.
  • [4] Emem speaks on FG's plan regarding production of Nigerian films in 2017.

• As a way of saying thank you to my people, I have decided to film my next huge project in Uyo to continue in our contributions towards the development and growth of the movie industry in Akwa Ibom and indeed Nollywood.
  • [5] Emem speaks on her latest project in 2017.

• Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you’ll look back, and realize they were the big things.
  • [6] Emem journey as movie producer in 2019.

• Special Jollof is just a love story set in the background of immigration, the problems immigrants go through and this preconceived notion that every immigrant is involved in illegal activities. This movie is actually different from what I normally do and because it is a well talked about issue worldwide at the moment, causing concern for world leaders.
  • [7] Emem speaks on new film Special Jollof in 2019.
• Remuneration for creatives in Nigeria is a far cry from what their counterparts receive abroad. Hollywood and other established film industries are much older and sophisticated than Nollywood and therefore would reward their practitioners better."
  • [8] Emem speaks on the poor performance of nollywood practitioners in 2020.
• Shooting this movie was very challenging but also fun. One of the major challenges we faced was finding foreign actors, so, I had to hold an audition but thank God, the turnout was really impressive. Another challenge was finding locations and getting people to open up to you. I was new to that terrain, so, it was quite challenging for me.”
  • [9] Emem speaks on challenges faced during shooting of movie in 2020.