Action Xtreme, a UK-based action-focused studio, has announced the launch of a new masterclass series dedicated to spotlighting leading Nigerian screen talent and fostering industry knowledge exchange.
By Adedamola Jones Adedayo
Action Xtreme, a UK-based action-focused studio, has announced the launch of a new masterclass series dedicated to spotlighting leading Nigerian screen talent and fostering industry knowledge exchange.
The masterclass series is hosted by Trevor Hakim from The New Black Film Collective, a UK-based organisation championing Black creatives and screen professionals across film, television and digital media, and has been developed in collaboration with Nile Entertainment, a Nigerian film distribution and production company that is part of Nile Media Entertainment Group. The series is also supported by the British Council, the UK’s international culture and education organisation, in line with its interest in UK-Nigeria creative sector engagement.
The inaugural edition of the series places a spotlight on actors, offering a platform for established and emerging talents to share their journeys, creative processes and lived experiences within the Nigerian film industry. Designed as an open and practical forum, the conversations aim to inspire upcoming actors while providing valuable insight into the realities of building a sustainable career in contemporary Nigerian cinema.
Rolling out over nine sessions in the coming months, the series features a lineup of actors connected to the action thriller Son of the Soil, currently streaming on Netflix Africa. Using the film as a springboard, the discussions will explore performance, opportunity and global visibility. Featured speakers include Razaaq Adoti (Black Hawk Down (2001)), Damilola Ogunsi (Gangs of Lagos (2023)), Ireti Doyle (Fifty (2015)), Sunshine Rosman (The Waiter (2024)), Taye Arimoro (Casa De Novia (2024)), Philip Asaya (Kill Boro (2024)), Emeka Golden (Say Who Die (2025)), Sharon Rotimi (Finding Me (2025)) and newcomer Ijelu Folajimi, all of whom recently starred in Action Xtreme’s Son of the Soil (2025), co-produced with Nigeria’s Boxonia Blueprint under a deal with Nile Entertainment.
Topics border on the evolution of the Nigerian film industry, the growing need for actors to function as multi-hyphenate creatives, and the practical realities of auditions, self-tapes and on-set collaborations. The series is also intended to confront broader industry issues such as personal branding, public relations and the expanding global network of Nigerian cinema. Also emphasised are cultural exchange, international collaboration and diaspora representation, all in an attempt to position Nigerian actors within a rapidly evolving global screen ecosystem.
“This series is about knowledge-sharing, inspiration and visibility,” said Action Xtreme CEO and filmmaker Chee Keong Cheung, who also directed Son of the Soil. “By spotlighting actors working at the forefront of the Nigerian film industry, we want to create meaningful conversations that support emerging talent and celebrate the richness of Nigerian screen storytelling.”
Donna McGowan, Country Director, British Council Nigeria, added: “We’re delighted to support the next generation of talent, focusing on learning, professional standards and international exchange as key drivers of a resilient and globally connected screen industry in Nigeria. This Masterclass series provides a wonderful opportunity for emerging talents to benefit directly from diverse voices within the sector.”
Moses Babatope, Group CEO of Nile Media Entertainment Group, commented: “This masterclass series represents exactly the kind of intentional ecosystem building our industry needs at this stage of its evolution. At Nile, we believe that distribution is not just about taking films to market, but about nurturing the full value chain, talent, craft, visibility and global readiness. By creating a platform where actors can openly share their journeys, challenges and working processes, we are helping to demystify the profession and equip the next generation with both confidence and practical insight.
“Nigerian stories and performers are increasingly visible on the world stage, and initiatives like this ensure that our talent is not only seen, but properly prepared to compete, collaborate and thrive globally. We are proud to partner with Action Xtreme and the British Council on a programme that bridges learning, industry reality and international opportunity,” Babatope added.
This actor-focused masterclass programme marks the first phase of a broader initiative. In the future, the organisers plan to expand to include directors, producers and crew, with the aim of strengthening dialogue across disciplines and fostering creative exchange between Nigeria, the UK and international screen industries.
The first episode, featuring Damilola Ogunsi, is now available, with subsequent sessions set to be released via the Action Xtreme YouTube channel.