A cinema debut in Nollywood is normally not exciting. Then MAKEMATION happened.
The Tech-Themed Family Movie of the Decade not only brought fresh perspective storytelling to Nollywood but also introduced 11 new gems. That’s right—MAKEMATION is the first cinema movie that the actors shown below have featured in! They are sure to shine brighter than the diamonds in the sky, like Rihanna sang.
Meet the MAKEMATION XI, making their cinema debut in Nollywood.
MAKEMATION XI Cinema Debut Squad
1. Chioma Edak
Leading the line is Chioma Edak of the “Visa On Arrival” web series fame. She plays the upstanding ‘Nancy’, who is against the shenanigans of her colleagues at the fictional Nigerian Immigrations Office.
The beautiful actress has featured in many projects made for YouTube, but now, she is making her cinema debut. After what seemed like so long, fans got to enjoy her wonderful personality on the big screen.
We are super stoked for what is to come with our very own ‘Schola’ of MAKEMATION!
2. Idara Peniel
Idara Peniel Ekaidem features as Natasha, a rich kid who bullies Zara at the MAKEATION institute. Her role as one of the sidekicks to the school’s popular mean girl was very real, you’d be forgiven to think she was acting from experience.
Those acting chops will be coming to more big screens in the future, but you saw it first in MAKEMATION!
3. Promise Agbor
First, he earned a theatre degree while featuring in classic Nigerian stage plays like “The Two Noble Kinsmen” and “A Man For All Seasons”. Then he went on to perfect his stage and on-screen presence at the prestigiuos EbonyLife Film Academy. There, he became a superstar and that landed him a lead role in his cohort’s graduation film project.
Then, he went and won a beatboxing competition that took him to Switzerland, where he was one of Africa’s representatives at a global beatboxing event.
To say that Promise Agbor is talented may be a huge understatement. His cinema debut has been a long time coming, and MAKEMATION is proud to be the launchpad for his Nollywood takeover.
4. Chiamaka Uzokwe
Chiamaka Uzokwe is MAKEMATION’S Belema, the friend who makes you question everything while keeping you on your toes. The LLB graduate has been acting alongside her studies and is now at the point where she has to choose: law, or the big screen?
All we know is that we expect greater things from her after a brilliant cinema debut in MAKEMATION!
5. Mayowa Aderoju
Mayowa Aderoju’s portrayal of the supportive Kike, who encourages Zara to chase her dreams and fight for her place in the world brought many to tears in the cinemas. You would never know she was making her cinema debut in the film, seeing her acting.
With MAKEMATION now in the bag, her next stop is the world, where everyone will get to see what a wonderful actress she is. More importantly, we expect to see her feature heavily in Nigerian cinemas in the future.
6. Sapphire Ekeng
Sapphire Ekeng’s cinema debut is one to particularly celebrate.
This amazingly talented child actor was born in 2009 to a father from Akwa Ibom State and a mother from Kogi State. She has balanced acting, entrepreneurship (Yes, she owns a business!) and education for years.
Her acting portfolio is already rich, having been in the industry since she was seven years old! Now, she has added her cinema debut role as Mariam Sodangi, Zara’s little sister, to her portfolio!
We cannot wait to see what the “Little Candy Queen” does next!
7. Munachi Okpara
Since portraying the character of ‘Big L’ in “Dark October”, the commemorative film that remembers the unjustly lynched Port Harcourt students in 2012, Munachi Okpara was destined for the big screen.
Together with his co-stars from that film (which streamed on Netflix), Munachi stars in MAKEMATION as his re-introduction to Nigerian cinephiles. He’s already making a name for himself with the kinds of films he’s associated with, and that makes of VERY proud!
8. Jenni Frank
The social media megastar has almost 5 million real, breathing and active followers. These are people who enjoy every content she puts out on TikTok and Instagram.
She is a brand ambassador for a number of brands, a few of which are in the women’s care industry. She is a business owner. But when you take a look at the likes on her TikTok page, it’s not hard to see why she was crowned ‘Queen of all Content’.
You can imagine the reception she had after fans discovered that she was making her cinema debut in a film as pivotal to the future of Nollywood like MAKEMATION.
We can’t wait to see what she does next!
Read Also: Jenni Frank takes Nollywood as MAKEMATION hits screens
9. Osas Okonyon
If you know Nollywood’s short films scene well enough, you will recognise Osas Okonyon. If you’re an avid reader of Bella Naija too, you will also recognise her.
Osas has built credibility in the short films niche, as well as in the writing and crew departments of several Nollywood productions. Now, she is showing people what she can do when given a big screen role.
Osas stars as Dooshima Shija in MAKEMATION, and, on the strength of her work on the film, will be starring in several other big screen releases soon!
10. Eniola “Larondo” Ayanshina
A dynamic performer who has built her reputation as the “Baddie Drummer” of Nigeria, Eniola Ayanshina, popularly known as LARONDO, made her cinema debut in MAKEMATION. It gets even better when you realise that this is also her first major acting role!
LARONDO played herself in Africa’s first feature film on AI. She can be seen performing for the happy students of the MAKEMATION institute at their graduation party.
11. Michael Dappa
And bringing up the rear is the amazing Michael Dappa!
Since 2021, Nigeria’s latest heartthrob has captured audiences. His soft-spoken acting has seen him feature in many films, but none have been to the cinemas. That’s right—MAKEMATION is the first film where the handsome Michael Dappa was seen on the big screen!
He makes his cinema debut as Dave Oche, Zara’s peer mentor and erstwhile love interest. We can’t wait to see him in more projects!
What Next After Nollywood Cinema Debut? Global Recognition!
MAKEMATION is out of the cinemas after a four-week run that made it into a smash hit. But this is not the last that Nigerian movie lovers will get to see of these 11 in the tech-themed family movie of the decade.
Rise Interactive Studios has announced its Global Release Plan for the film. Click this link to learn more!
