By Rita Okoye
Despite relocating to Canada, actress and filmmaker, Amandla Ebeye, formerly known as Amanda Ebeye continues to make remarkable strides in Nollywood.
In this interview with Saturday Sun, the talented screen star, speaks candidly about her journey as a filmmaker, wife, and mother. The mother of two also shares why she prefers to keep her partner away from social media, while addressing other pivotal issues shaping her career and personal life. Enjoy!
Did you take a break after It’s A Crazy World?
After It’s A Crazy World I have done two series. One of them will start showing on my channel next week. Why Did I Marry You starring Patrick Dubua, Chinyere Wilfred, Georgina Ibeh, Amanda Dara and Aret Edet.
The other one is 30s Single And Bored which aired on Africa magic showcase and would start on my channel next year stars Stan Nze, Daniel Etim Effiong, myself, Kiki Omeili Kunle Salawu and Aret Edet. So, I have been busy after It’s A Crazy World.
Your channel; You mean YouTube?
Yes, Amandla Ebeye TV on YouTube.
Seems every actor now has a YouTube channel. What are those things movie lovers would see and stay glued to yours?
I will not say mine is different. We are showing films shows which have existed since time. I feel it only gives us a space to show our creativity to the world. It gives us a platform. We no longer need to go begging someone in an office to approve ads that our shows qualify for. Every filmmaker knows that distribution is always the major issue at the end of it all. We create what we love but showing it and getting paid is another. With YouTube it is an open platform. Show what you have. If it’s good everyone will go for it. You don’t need to know anyone, you don’t have to have any click, just create and upload.
Would your relocating to Canada slow down your acting career?
I have always known I would shift to being more of a film maker. I like where the money is made and not to keep working for people.
Looking back at that huge step, any regrets?
Not one single regret. I love the step. Take me years back and I’ll do it again.
As a Nigerian filmmaker based in Canada, how do you navigate the hurdles?
I won’t say I’m based in Canada, I will say I am back and forth Nigeria and Canada. I’ll say every year I’m in both countries besides last two years because I was pregnant and then I gave birth, so I was on maternity leave. I was not working. My little one is one plus now so I am back to my scripting and all again.
Moving from one country to another must be financially draining, how do you measure up?
Wow that’s true. I have never sat down to calculate or think about my expenses besides when I’m budgeting my expenses. Meaning it has not drained me yet.
You have successfully kept your husband off social media. Is there a reason for that?
I just like to keep family as family and work as work. As en entertainer social media is a tool that aids my work. Besides saying ‘Happy Birthday’ to family on it once in a while, I use it more for work and I do not enjoy mixing both.
You are a mother, wife, filmmaker, and also run other businesses. How do you manage to multitask?
God guides me in all I do. I have a very strong and loyal team that works with me. I’ve had this team since 2018. So I’ll say about seven years. I have known some of the members of my team for 20 years or more. We work on all my projects together and they do amazing jobs.
As a female filmmaker, how intentional are you about the stories you tell — especially when it comes to portraying Nigerian women?
To be honest, I start out with women in mind because I am a woman and my stories should speak to me but it ends up resonating with everyone and that gives me a lot of joy. I’ll say I tell stories that speak to everyone.
What’s one film you’ve made that challenged you the most emotionally or professionally — and what did you learn from the experience?
Funny enough, Horrors, my short film because it was emotional and partly my story. I am a happy girl, I like to shoot comedy, drama, romance, but horrors was drama and emotional as well. I also acted with my son so it was very emotional for me.
Are there specific roles you are still looking forward to playing?
I just want a challenging role. I won’t say there is any specific role I’m looking forward to playing. Film makers create every day and they bring up new and different characters everyday. To sit down and pick one is limiting myself. I want a challenging role with a great film maker/director that will keep me on my toes.
Seeing how far you have come, what can make you reject a movie role?
A mediocre unchallenging script.
Looking ahead, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave in both Nollywood and the international film space as Amandla Ebeye the filmmaker?
Amandla Ebeye the filmmaker is not just a film maker. I am also very pro African and very Afrocentric. I believe in anything African and I believe we can be great. I want to use my platform to tell our stories. I want to be known as that African filmmaker who stirred the African renaissance through film.
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