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Emem Isong

[Here the article gives some background by discussing the roles Emem Isong plays in Nollywood. It also discusses her as being active in the making of Yoruba movies]

Early Life and Education

Emem Isong who is the first child in her family of 4 children was born on the 5th of September and is from Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. [move information about her tertiary education from career section here and add how she attained her first degree in 1990]

Career

Emem Isong’s career in filmmaking began in 1994 when she wrote the script and co-produced the movie Jezebel. Her very first solo production was for the movie Breaking point(1996). She then went on to work with Remmy Jez for eight years as a producer on his movies. This relationship lasted till 2008 when she decided to end their working relationship. It was at this time that she co-produced the movie Reloaded(2008). The movies Emem Isong has been involved in are also noteworthy for being the launching grounds for various Nollywood talents including Stephanie Okereke ,Dakore Egbuson among others. Emem Isongs attempts in her movies to above all thrill the audience Emem Isong’s expertise in the movie industry has also allowed her to be chosen as a speaker in the Afrinolly masterclass series and also as a judge for the MTN Afrinolly short film completion in 2013. She has also worked Nollywood Workshops, an international NGO that aims to encourage change in the society through the use of movies. This collaboration led to her second directorial debut Code of Silence(2015).

Legacy

Emem has also been listed as a maverick in the New Nollywood movement which is categorized by filmmakers who are not just interested in producing movies but in producing movies that can be considered substantial and artful products. These movies are usually categorized by an extra effort made by the filmmakers to ensure not only the methods but also the tools of production employed by the film makers are of substantial quality. It is no longer about production for the sake of production, but rather production for art’s sake. These movies are also made to have not only domestic, but also international appeal, as they are usually released in cinemas in Nigeria and in also in foreign cinemas. This shift from home video production to cinema viewing is also a category of this New Nollywood movement. Emem Isong is also known for her role in founding the Royal Arts Academy in 2010, and her subsequent role as the academy’s CEO. The Royal Arts Academy which she started with Uduak Oguamanam and Anietie Isong, and actress Monalisa Chinda, is based in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. The academy has tasked itself with a mandate concerned with the empowerment of its students by giving them the necessary tools required to take part in all aspects of film creation and production. The academy is dedicated to producing students who can not just compete and excel in the Nigerian film industry but also in the international film industry. Apart from teaching students what they need to begin a career in the movie industry, the academy also gives students the opportunity to win funding to help them begin their career by actually producing movies the general public can see.

Personal Life

Emem Isong is known to be very private and prefers to stay mostly out of the public eye. She rarely grants interviews. This, according to her, is because she wishes her work to be consumed on its merits alone without her personal life influencing her viewers. [edit entry about her partner and children to include correct number of children she has]

Filmography

Emem Isong's film credits include:

Producer Credits

• Knocking on Heaven's Door (2014)
• Forgetting June (2013)
• Silver Lining (2012)
• I’ll Take My Chances (2011)
• Kiss and Tell (2010)
• Bursting Out (2010)
• Holding Hope (2010)
• Memories of My Heart (2010)
• Edikan (2009)
• Reloaded (2008)
• A Time to Love (2007)
• Unfinished Business (2007)
• Yahoo Millionaire (2007)
• Games Men Play (2006)
• Traumatised (2006)
• Behind Closed Doors (2005)
• Darkest Night (2005)
• Endless Lies (2005)
• Games Women Play (2005)
• Girls in the Hood (2005)
• I Feel U (2005)
• Men Do Cry (2005)
• Critical Decision (2004)
• For Real (2004)
• Masterstroke (2004)
• Promise Me Forever (2004)
• Private Sin (2003)
• Breaking Point (1996)
• Jezebel (1994)

Writer Credits

• I’ll Take My Chances (2011)
• Bursting Out (2010)
• Heartbeats (2008)
• Reloaded (2008)
• A Time to Love (2007)
• Unfinished Business (2007)
• Yahoo Millionaire (2007)
• Games Men Play (2006)
• Blind Obsession (2005)
• Darkest Night (2005)
• Fragile Pain (2005)
• I Feel U (2005)
• Enslaved (2004)
• Promise Me Forever (2004)
• Emotional Crack (2003)
• Jezebel (1994)

Director Credits

• Champagne (2014)
• Code of Silence (2015)

Awards and Nominations

Awards received by Emem Isong include:

• ZAFAA Awards, in the category of Best Producer for the movie Memories of my Heart (2010)
• Wow Divas, Outstanding Contribution to Raising Awareness, Understanding and Hope to those Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and Advocating for Them through her movie Silver Lining(2012)
• Eloy Awards, Best Movie Producer of the Year for I’ll Take My Chances (2011)
• Best of Nollywood, Special Recognition Award;
• Ntanla Awards, Industry Merit Awards.
• Nigeria’s Integrity Film Awards(HomeVida) in the category Family/Child Friendly Category for the movie Knocking on the Heavens Door (2014)
• Africa Movie Awards in the category of Best Scriptwriter for the movie Reloaded (2008)
• City Peoples Award in the categories of Best Producer of the Year, and Best Screenplay for the movie Reloaded (2008)