Out Of Africa: Action Xtreme Launches Nigerian Actor Masterclass Series with Nile Entertainment

Spotlighting Nigerian Screen Talent Through Actor-Led Conversations

Action Xtreme, a UK-based action-focused studio, has partnered with Nile Entertainment to launch a new masterclass series dedicated to highlighting Nigerian actors and fostering industry knowledge exchange. Supported by the British Council, the programme will be hosted by Trevor Hakim of The New Black Film Collective, a UK organisation championing Black creatives across film, television, and digital media.

The inaugural series focuses on actors, providing a platform for established and emerging talent to share their creative journeys, processes, and experiences within the Nigerian film industry. Designed as an open, practical forum, the sessions aim to inspire upcoming actors while offering insight into building a sustainable career in contemporary Nigerian cinema.

The first phase will roll out across nine sessions, featuring actors from Son of the Soil, co-produced with Nigeria’s Boxonia Blueprint under a deal with Nile Entertainment and currently streaming on Netflix Africa. Participants include Razaaq Adoti, Damilola Ogunsi, Ireti Doyle, Sunshine Rosman, Taye Arimoro, Philip Asaya, Emeka Golden, Sharon Rotimi, and Ijelu Folajimi.

Rather than traditional moderated Q&As, the sessions are structured as extended conversations that explore acting techniques, decision-making, and career navigation. Topics include script interpretation, character development, audition preparation, on-set collaboration, and the growing importance of visibility, publicity, and personal branding in the Nigerian screen ecosystem. The programme also situates acting within a broader industry context, covering production trends, distribution evolution, and the increasing connection between local storytelling and international audiences.

“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.”

This actor-focused programme is the first phase of a broader initiative. Future phases will include directors, producers, and crew, aiming to strengthen dialogue across disciplines and foster creative exchange between Nigeria, the UK, and the wider international screen industry.

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. 

The sessions will be released weekly on the Action Xtreme YouTube channel and will be available to view globally.

The first episode, featuring Damilola Ogunsi, is now available. Watch here