I’m Not Ashamed of My Filmmaking Journey — Kayode Kasum
Nigerian filmmaker and director Kayode Kasum has expressed pride in his career journey, saying he is not ashamed of the experiences, lessons and decisions that have shaped his development in the Nigerian film industry.
In an interview with Punch Newspapers published on October 17, 2026, Kasum reflected on his growth as a filmmaker, the challenges of producing movies in Nigeria, the importance of collaboration and how streaming platforms have changed the way Nigerian films reach audiences around the world.
The filmmaker acknowledged that he would approach several things differently if he were starting his career again. However, he explained that these lessons are part of the journey that has brought him to where he is today.
His comments highlight the importance of learning from experience while remaining proud of personal and professional growth.
According to Kasum, his experience in filmmaking has taught him that there is always room for improvement, regardless of how much progress a person has made.
He admitted that he would have approached certain aspects of his career differently, particularly collaboration, storytelling, filming techniques and the marketing and release of his projects.
The director explained that he wishes he had started collaborating with other people earlier in his career. He also noted that experience has helped him understand how to make better creative decisions and approach filmmaking with greater confidence.
Despite identifying areas where he could have done things differently, Kasum said he remains proud of how far he has come.
His position reflects a broader reality of creative careers: success often involves experimenting, learning from mistakes and adapting to changing circumstances rather than getting everything right from the beginning.
For aspiring filmmakers and other creatives, his experience offers a reminder that a professional journey does not have to be perfect to be meaningful.
Kasum said his filmmaking is driven by the desire to communicate something meaningful and influence how audiences feel about the stories they watch.
He explained that some of his ideas come from personal experiences, while others are inspired by things he has observed. A major interest for him is telling stories that reflect the Nigerian condition.
The filmmaker believes that creators can produce compelling work by drawing from experiences and environments they understand. He also said he enjoys making films that inspire people.
Rather than treating filmmaking simply as a process of recording actors performing a script, Kasum views directing as a responsibility that involves developing the story, shaping characters and ensuring that every creative decision serves the film.
He explained that he remains involved throughout the process, from developing the story and working with actors on set to editing the finished production before it reaches the screen.
This approach highlights his belief that strong storytelling begins long before filming starts and continues through the final stages of production.
Discussing some of the most demanding projects he has handled, Kasum identified Star Lomo as a particularly challenging production.
He explained that the team had to return for reshoots several times because he felt the film had not yet captured the story he originally envisioned.
The director said he was deeply passionate about the project and wanted to ensure that the final product reflected his creative intentions.
The production also required filming in different parts of Lagos and Ibadan, with scenes shot around Lagos Mainland, Marina and the CMS area. Managing the locations, cast members and demands of developing the story added to the difficulties.
For Kasum, these challenges were part of the filmmaking process. He said he approaches each project expecting difficulties and prepares himself to overcome them.
His experience demonstrates the work that can take place behind the scenes before a film is ready for audiences. Reshoots, location changes and revisions can require additional time, coordination and resources, particularly when a director has a clear vision for the finished movie.
Despite the challenges, Kasum said he was encouraged by the reaction to the film’s premiere and was looking forward to audiences seeing it more widely.
Kasum also discussed the impact of streaming platforms on Nigerian filmmaking, describing their influence as largely positive.
According to him, the availability of platforms where audiences can watch Nigerian movies has encouraged filmmakers to produce more content and made their work accessible to viewers beyond Nigeria.
He noted that filmmakers now have a better understanding of their audiences because people can respond to films, discuss them and share their reactions.
He also observed improvements in cinematography, filmmaking techniques and the industry’s understanding of storytelling.
Kasum acknowledged that Nigeria’s film industry continues to face economic challenges and is still developing. Nevertheless, he said the growing acceptance of Nigerian stories internationally offers encouragement to filmmakers who continue to invest their time and resources in the craft.
The expansion of digital distribution has created additional opportunities for Nigerian productions to find viewers in different countries. However, reaching audiences and sustaining a successful film career still require compelling stories, effective production and collaboration among industry professionals.
Kasum said selecting the right actors is an important part of making a film successfully.
He looks for performers who understand the script, believe in the story and are prepared to support the project beyond simply appearing on screen.
He also values actors who are hardworking, easy to work with and genuinely interested in storytelling.
According to the director, filmmaking in Nigeria can be demanding, making teamwork essential to bringing a production together. He believes actors should understand the world being created in a film and work collaboratively to make the characters convincing.
His comments reinforce the importance of relationships between directors, actors, producers and other members of a film crew. A shared commitment to the story can help a team navigate the pressures of production.
Kasum also said filmmaking has taught him that people are shaped by their experiences and that everyone has a personal history influencing their actions. This understanding of human behaviour informs his interest in developing characters and telling stories that audiences can connect with.
Looking ahead, Kasum revealed that he would like to explore genres he has not yet tackled, particularly large-scale war films and football movies.
He said producing a major war film would require an appropriate budget, identifying financing as an important consideration for ambitious projects.
A football film is another type of production he hopes to make in the future.
Meanwhile, he discussed University of Side Hustle, a film he made with Dare Art Alade and Diekolola Art Alade for Livespot360. According to the interview, the film was scheduled to screen at Entertainment Week Africa in November 2026.
He said his immediate focus remained on Star Lomo, expressing excitement about its prospects with a wider audience.
Kasum’s message is not that every decision he has made was perfect. Instead, he recognises that experience has shown him where he could have improved while allowing him to appreciate the progress he has achieved.
His reflections offer an important perspective for people building careers in creative industries, where opportunities, financial pressures and changing audience expectations can make the journey unpredictable.
For the filmmaker, looking back provides an opportunity to learn, not a reason to reject the past.
As Nollywood continues to develop and Nigerian films reach audiences through cinemas and streaming platforms, Kasum remains focused on telling stories that reflect his experiences and connect with viewers.
His declaration that he is not ashamed of his filmmaking journey underscores a simple message: growth involves acknowledging mistakes, learning from challenges and continuing to pursue the work that matters.
