Femi Oyeniran

Femi Oyeniran
Born Lagos, Nigeria[1]
Residence Islington, North London[2]
Nationality English/Nigerian
Occupation Actor, Director, Producer, Writer
Known for

Kidulthood
Adulthood
The Intent
Taking Stock

Anuvahood
Children 2

Femi Oyeniran is a Nigerian-British actor and director who started his career in the cult classic Kidulthood, playing the role of "Moony" in 2006. It was followed by the 2008 sequel Adulthood.[3] Oyeniran recently sold his second movie "The Intent" to Netflix for a worldwide release; it appeared on the platform on 15 May 2017.[4][5] The film had already peaked at number 3 on the iTunes Movie Chart and opened to sold out cinemas. It was funded, shot and distributed completely independently.

Career

Oyeniran's TV appearances include ITV’s "Golden Hour", Channel 4’s "The Ghost Squad" and BBC's "Absolutely Fabulous". His theatre debut was at the Hackney Empire in a two-hander called "Basic". He has appeared on news channels BBC News 24 and Sky News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme and the BBC Asian Network to discuss youth culture in London. He was involved in an organization called Smart Justice for Young People, which looks at alternative modes of punishing petty crime.[6] This led to him being asked to make a TV report for BBC 2’s “The Daily Politics" Programme. In July 2006, he accepted a request to speak alongside David Cameron at a Centre for Social Justice Event. The event was called "Thugs: Beyond Redemption?" at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster. In 2009, 'Fresh Off The Boat' became Femi's first foray into film directing. The film was nominated as part of the 2009 Film London 'Best of Boroughs' awards.[7]

He produces and hosts an online panel chat show called Cut the Chat [[http://www.cutthechat.co.uk|#mwt28|mw:ExpandedAttrs|{"attribs":[[{"txt":"href"},{"html":"<span typeof=\"mw:DOMFragment/sealed/ref\" about=\"#mwt27\" data-parsoid='{\"html\":\"mwf1\",\"tagWidths\":[5,6],\"dsr\":[4029,4067,5,6]}' data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"extsrc\":\"http://www.cutthechat.co.uk\"}}'></span>"}]]}]], which provides a platform for the discussion of issues that affect young people. The show has proven really successful and there is a live format every quarter at the Camden Roundhouse.

He is best known for his roles as 'Moony' in Kidulthood and its sequel Adulthood, as well as a comedy spin off Anuvahood, a film made by Adam Deacon. His first feature film It's A Lot, which he co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced was released in Spring 2013.[8][9][10] (UK). In 2014, he produced a 10-part series for Sky Living called Venus vs. Mars, which aired in April 2015. In the same year, he directed the short film “Red Room”, and starred alongside Kelly Brook and Georgia Groome in Taking Stock by award-winning director Maeve Murphy. He also played the lead in Film London funded "City Lights". 2016 saw Oyeniran independently release feature film The Intent, which he co/wrote, co/produced and co/directed with Nicky 'Slimting' Walker. The film was received positively as a story with "confidence and style".[11] In November 2016 he executive produced ITV2 comedy Dropperz, and went on to work as assistant producer on Kudos/Sky Atlantic series TIN STAR. The Intent 2: The Come Up[12] (Co-Writers, Producers & Directors Femi Oyeniran and Nicky Slimting Walker) has stood tall this weekend, opening as the #1 film in several of the UK’s biggest Cinemas (Odeon Greenwich, Showcase Newham, Odeon Luxe Birmingham Broadway Plaza, Odeon Surrey Quays and Showcase Walsall), following its release in cinemas on Friday 21st September.

Femi also co-runs production company Purple Geko, which specialises in scripted comedy and drama content for all mediums.

In addition to his work in film, television and theatre, Femi has managed and delivered a series of workshops to young people in Young Offenders Institutions. Femi Oyeniran regularly appears on the Sky News program Sunrise, as part of the newspaper review panel. He also sat as a Commissioner on the Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy Commission which explored modes of improving democratic participation through the use of technology.[13] In 2014 Femi was invited to give a TEDxParliament Talk[14][15] on the theme of democracy, which was inspired by his extensive work with young offenders.

Political views

Oyeniran has an interest in politics.[1] In 2017, Oyeniran created the #Grime4Corbyn hashtag. The aim of the grassroots campaign was to galvanise young people on social media and endorse the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election. Oyeniran explained that the movement has plans far beyond the June 8 vote saying: "The long-term aim is for it to go beyond the election, it's not just about what happens with Jeremy Corbyn in (this) election. It's about youth engagement, it's about young people caring about politics, it's about young people taking action for thing they’re not happy about around them. So it's much more than Corbyn."[16]

Personal life

Oyeniran, was born in Nigeria[1] and raised in Islington, North London.[2] He attended St Aloysius College,[2] St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College and studied law[17] at the London School of Economics.

In addition to acting and film making, Femi is a keen Manchester United football fan[1] He is a Christian and a married father of two.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Femi Oyeniran". TEDx Houses of Parliament. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Brigstock-Barron, Rory (1 November 2013). "Kidulthood actor Femi Oyeniran turns director for new film". Islington Gazette. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  3. ↑ Potton, Ed (27 September 2008). "Panel of Experts: Inner-city views of Adulthood". London: The Times. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "'The Intent' Is Making A Netflix Debut - The Beat London 103.6 FM". www.thebeat1036.com.
  5. ↑ "The Intent is coming to Netflix!".
  6. ↑ "Stop investing in crime and start investing in - Smart Justice". Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Best of Boroughs Film Awards". Film London. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "Kidulthood star gives riot victims roles in UK's answer to Ferris".
  9. ↑ "Teen comedy filmed in Tottenham". BBC News. 29 October 2012.
  10. ↑ http://www.tottenhamjournal.co.uk/news/tottenham_students_become_film_stars_for_the_week_1_1674397
  11. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (28 July 2016). "The Intent review – pulsating south London crime thriller". the Guardian.
  12. ↑ "THE INTENT 2: THE COME UP". Filmoria.co.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  13. ↑ "Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy". UK Parliament.
  14. ↑ http://www.tedxhousesofparliament.com/2014/speakers/femi-oyeniran
  15. ↑ TEDx Talks (10 July 2014). "Prison democracy - Femi Oyeniran - TEDxHousesofParliament" – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ Atack, Patrick (8 June 2017). "London Grime artists target youth vote". France: Euronews. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  17. ↑ Percival, Jenny (11 December 2008). "Knife-carrying down in crime 'hotspots'". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
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