Judith Audu
Born
Judith Emike Audu

NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigerian
Alma materUniversity of Lagos
Occupation(s)Film producer, film director, TV producer, TV director, showrunner, actress, casting director, presenter, voice over artiste, blogger, model
Years active2004; 2010–present
Notable workJust Not Married
SpouseMorten Foght
Awards2016:Best of Nollywood Awards, Best Actress

Judith Emike Audu-Foght, professionally known as Judith Audu, is a Nigerian film and television producer, director, casting director, actress, presenter, model and blogger. She is widely known for her movie production credits which include Just Not Married,[1] The Family[2] and The Sessions. In 2019, she was listed among the YNAIJA 100 most Influential Nigerians in Film.[3]

As an award winning Nigerian actress and film maker, she is passionate about social justice and she has been supporting the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since 2019.[4][5] She also uses her platform to educate on issues relating sexual and gender based violence; this influenced the creation of her film "Not Right" which raises awareness on the domestic violence in Nigerian society and also encourages women to voice out.[6] Judith Audu, been the currently, Nigeria's most sought after young producers in the movie industry; who began her career as an actress and has emerge to be a producer of international reckon. Her first feature film production "Just Not Married" was one of the eight Nollywood movies that was selected which premiered at the Toronto Film Festivals (TIFF) in Canada.[7]

Early life

Audu was born in Navy Town, Ojo to a Naval Personnel father;[8] Audu Ali Audu and mother; Gift Salamat Audu. Her mother was a restaurateur and entrepreneur[8] that owned a chain of restaurants and a rental service for events. Judith has two brothers, elder brother Franklin Audu and a younger brother Abdulmalik Audu. She is the second child and only daughter. She is from the Auchi area of Edo State in the southern part of Nigeria.

Audu attended Navy Town Primary School,[9] Ojo, from 1988 to 1993, then proceeded to Navy Town Secondary School from 1993 to 1999, where she majored in the Arts. She then went to the Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry in 2001 and obtained a Diploma that she used in getting a Direct Entry into the University of Lagos in 2002.

In 2005, Audu obtained a B.A in French from the University of Lagos.[10] After her National Youth Service (NYSC) In Kebbi State in 2006/2007, She went back to the University of Lagos and applied for master's degree course in Public and International Affairs from 2008 to 2010, where she graduated with a degree in Masters of Public and International Affairs (MPIA).[10]

Career

While at the University of Lagos, Audu joined a theater group[8] called the Campus Playhouse and took part in several stage productions. From there she auditioned to be a part of Theater 15 which was the most respected theater group in the University of Lagos at the time. It was from these theatre groups that Audu honed her acting skills and worked alongside Nigerian television personality Denrele Edun, actor/comedian Koffi and Director Wole Oguntokun.

In 2004, when the University of Lagos went on a ten-month strike,[11] Audu was invited by her colleague Denrele Edun to Alpha Vision Company where she auditioned for and got her first role on the small screen in Tajudeen Adepetu's TV Series, One Love.[11] In the same year, Audu officially registered herself as an actor with the Actor's Guild of Nigeria[12] and began attending auditions, through which she got a role in a Ghetto film by Femi Ogedegbe titled Tears of the Ghetto (Life is beautiful). At the end of the University strike, Audu went back to school and took a hiatus from acting,[11] although she did take a part in an independent children's series, Funtime, where she played the role of Vanessa.

During her compulsory National Youth Service, she was the presenter and producer of a programme on Kebbi State Television called French For Beginners and was also the Drama Troupe Director.[11]

In 2011, after completing her master's degree program, Audu attended an audition for a role in the television drama, Tinsel and got the role of a gynaecologist,[11] she has since been part of several Television Series like Emerald, Seekers, Burning Spears, Tinsel, Huzzel, 4 Walls, Comfort Zone, Rush, Funtime, Life is Beautiful, Case File, House Apart and Queens Drive.[10]

In 2014, Audu produced her first film, a short film on domestic violence titled 'Not Right',[13] which starred Omowunmi Dada, Ani Iyoho, Philip Festus and Judith Audu.

In 2014, Audu began airing a radio show on a popular online radio station, Igroove Radio tagged Meet the Actor With Judith Audu where she does personality chats with Actors from all over the world.[14]

In May 2016, Audu produced and premiered her first ever, full-length feature film, under her production company, Judith Audu Productions. The movie, titled Just Not Married[15] features Stan Nze, Rotimi Salami, Ijeoma Agu, Obutu Roland, Brutus Richard, Gregory Ojefua, Judith Audu and Perpetua Adefemi. The movie enjoyed rave reviews and topped cinema ratings across Nigeria in the first few weeks of its release.[1]

Personal life

Judith Audu married[11] Morten Foght on 1 July 2011.

Audu is an avid blogger[16] and has two blogs: www.judithaudu.blogspot.com where she profiles up and coming artists and does entertainment news, and the other is www.playingwithrecipes.blogspot.com where she shares food recipes she plays with as she is also a foodie and loves experimenting and trying out recipes from all over the world.

Awards and recognition

In 2013, she was nominated for the Best Female Actor Award 2013 at the Nigerian Broadcasting Merit Award.[17]

In December 2014, Audu won the award for Best Actress at the In-Short International Film Festival 2014 for her role in the short-film, Alpha Mom.[18]

Audu's short film Not Right, which she produced and starred in was nominated for the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards as 'Best Short Film',[19] the film was also nominated at the Best of Nollywood Awards, Nollywood Movie Awards and at the Abuja International Film Festival in 2014.[20]

In 2016, Audu won the award for Best Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards for the movie Just Not Married. Audu won the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (African Film in English) for the movie Obsession at the 22nd African Film Awards in the UK in November 2018,[21] as well as at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival for her role in the movie Unfinished Business.[22]

In February 2020, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) named Audu as a "high profile supporter" for its "Telling the Real Story" (TRS) project.[23]

In April 2021, she was given a recognition award at the Eko Star Film and TV Awards.[24]

She also received a commendation for her work from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in 2021.[25]

Year Event Prize Film Result
2013 Nigerian Broadcasting Merit Award Best Actress on TV - Emerald Nominated
2014 In-Short International Film Festival Best Actress Alpha Mom Won
2016 Nigerian Models & Achievers Awards Female Fast Rising Model Actor of the Year Self Nominated
Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress Just Not Married Won
Abuja International Film Festival Best Actress Just Not Married Won
City People Movie Awards Best Movie Producer of the Year Just Not Married Nominated
ZAFAA Awards Movie Producer of the Year Just Not Married Won
2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Supporting Actress of the Year Self Nominated
The African Film Festival Best Actress Self Won
Nigeria Achievers Awards Next Rated Movie Producer of the Year Self Nominated
Campus Hubb Awards Best Youth Actress Self Nominated
2018 Starzz Awards Creative Movie Producer of the Year Self Nominated
Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Unfinished Business Won
African Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Obsession Won
ZAFAA Awards Movie Producer of the Year The Family Won
In-Short International Film Festival Best Director Mirabel Won
In-Short International Film Festival Best Short Film Mirabel Won
Best of Nollywood Awards Best Short Film Mirabel Won
Pearl International Film Festival Best Non-Ugandan Feature Film Just Not Married Won
2019 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival Best Nollywood Female Filmmaker Self Won
Best Director Short Film Mirabel Won
Abuja International Film Festival Outstanding Feature Film of the Year The Family Won
Golden Movie Awards, Ghana Best Comedy Film Bedroom Points Won
Golden Movie Awards, Ghana Best Comedy Film Bedroom Points Won
2020 Best of Nollywood Awards Director of the Year The Sessions Nominated
Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival Best Nollywood Director The Sessions Nominated
Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival Best Nollywood Actress The Sessions Won
Nollywood Entertainment & Leadership Awards Best Lead Actor Female The Family Won
The Intellects Giant Awards Movie Producer of the Year Self Won
Best of Nollywood Awards Best Social Message The Sessions Won
Best of Nollywood Awards Best Documentary Tame the Silent Killer (Documentary on Breast and Cervical Cancer) Won
2021 Eko Star Film & TV Awards Producers who make things Happen Self Won
2022 Nigerian Women Achievers Awards Producer of the Year Self Nominated

Filmography

Production credits

YearTitleRoleDirectorNotes
2021The Kings Horseman (Elesin Oba)ProducerBiyi BandeleA Netflix / EbonyLife Studios Production
Blood SistersProducerBiyi Bandele / Kenneth GyangA Netflix / EbonyLife Studios Production
Hook UpProducerUyoyou AdiaROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions
2022 The Sessions (2020 film) Producer
Shanty TownLine ProducerDimeji AjibolaA Giant Media Studios Production
Special FriendsProducerUyoyou AdiaROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions
2020The RingProducerUyoyou AdiaROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions
Nneka the Pretty SerpentAssociate producerTosin IghoA Play Network Studios Production
RattlesnakeLine ProducerRamsey NouahA Play Network Studios Production
The FatherProducerUyoyou AdiaA ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions Production
2019The SessionsProducerJudith AuduJudith Audu Productions
Diary of the DamnedProducerJudith AuduA ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions Production
Tame the Silent Killer (Documentary on Breast and Cervical Cancer)ProducerJudith AuduJudith Audu Productions/ Nigerian Ports Authority
The FamilyProducerJudith AuduA ROK Studios / Judith Audu Productions Production
2018#TheFourthSideProducerUyoyou AdiaJudith Audu Productions
For PriyeProducerMoyin EzekielA Hi-Impact TV Production
Nigerian TradeProduction ManagerJade OsiberuProduced by Jade Osiberu
MirabelProducerJudith AuduA Judith Audu Production
Like DominoesProducerJudith AuduA Hi-Impact TV Production
Bedroom PointsProducerJudith AuduA Hi-Impact TV Production
ShelterProducerMoyin EzekielA Hi-Impact TV Production
2017Walking With ShadowsProduction ManagerAoife O’ KellyProduced by Oya Media LTD
Gold StatueAssociate producerTade OgidanProduced by OGD Pictures/ Solution Media and Infotech
Stormy HeartsProducerTope AlakeProduced for Iroko / ROK TV
2016HAKKUNDEProduction ManagerAsurf Oluseyi AmuwaProduced by Asurf Oluseyi Amuwa
SCORNEDProduction ManagerChristiana Martin, Tokunbo AhmedProduced by Christiana Martin, Tokunbo Ahmed
CandleProduction ManagerTaiwo ShittuProduced by Tamara Eteimo
2015Hell or High WatersProduction ManagerAsurf Oluseyi AmuwaProduced by Asurf Oluseyi Amuwa
Just Not MarriedProducerUduak-Obong PatrickProduced by Judith Audu
2014Not RightProducerUduak-Obong PatrickProduced by Judith Audu

Directorial credits

YearTitleRole
2018MirabelDirector
FlippedDirector
Morning FixDirector
Heart BreakDirector
Like DominoesDirector
Bedroom PointsDirector
2019The SessionsDirector
The FamilyDirector
Diary of the DamnedDirector

Acting credits

YearTitleRoleDirectorNotes
2004One LoveChikaWasiu OnitiloTV series
Life is BeautifulJossyFemi OgedengbeFeature Film
HammerFela's GirlIzu OjukwuFeature Film/Cameo Appearance
2006FuntimeVanessaNkiru OkonkwoTV series
2010House ApartSashaTony EnejeduTV series
HuzzelJenniferDavies ObiekeaTV series
2011TinselGynecologistTope Ogun,Victor Aghahowa and George KuraTV series (Recurring Role)
2012The JourneyWunmiFemi AdewaleTV series
2013EmeraldMofeTope Alake and John NjamahTV series
4 WallsTutu's motherKolade ShasiShort Film
Yes I Don'tSheyiBest OkoduwaFeature Film
SwitchSadeBest OkoduwaFeature Film
SeekersDupeYemi RemiTV series
Burning SpearsOmowunmiSegun KayodeTV series
Olorogun and CompanyAvweboSegun KayodeTV series
Comfort ZoneNinaObi OsotuleTV series
Love is Over-ratedChineloBelinda YangaFeature Film
2014Stopping KloeEvelynEhizojie OjesebholoMnet Original TV Film
Alpha MummotherAkin HarrisonShort Film
Out of FireAngelinaEhizojie OjesebholoMnet Original TV Film
Not RightFunmiUduak Obong PatrickShort Film
A Day with DeathKulapoOluseyi AsurfShort Film
2015Tales of Eve 5NenguImoh UmorenTV series
Mama Osaro Goes KinkyEhizojie OjesebholoComedy[26][27][28]
2016Just Not MarriedKeji AnuolaUduak-Obong PatrickFeature Film, Produced by Judith Audu Productions, Blacreek Pictures and Asurf Films
2019The FamilyLeadJudith AuduFeature Film, Produced by Judith Audu Productions, featuring Omowumi Dada, Judith Audu, Tina Mba, Mofe Duncan, Beverly Osu and more
#TheFourthSideBossUyoyou AdiaShort Film
The SessionsElohorJudith AuduFeature Film
2020 Nneka the Pretty Serpent Pathologist Tosin Igho Feature film
For Maria Ebun Pataki Tola Damilola Orimogunje

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Judith Audu's Just Not Married tops cinema ratings". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. "Judith Audu wraps up shoot of 'The Family'". TheNationNewspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  3. "YNAIJA Presents the 100 Most Influential Nigerians in Film in 2019". Ynaija. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  4. "UNHCR-Judith Audu". unhcr.org. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  5. "Judith Audu named UNHCR high profile supporter". Vanguard Nigeria. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  6. Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Judith Audu". UNHCR. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  7. "Judith Audu". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 "Sometimes I'm tempted to quit acting-Judith Audu, actress". Daily Sun Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  9. "My mission as an actress —Judith Audu". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 20 May 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 "My FRUSTRATIONS as an actress—Nollywood actress Judith Audu". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Judith Audu: My Journey into the Movie Industry". New Telegraph Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 11 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  12. "34 facts in the life of Nollywood actress Judith Audu". My Daily Newswatch. Lagos, Nigeria. 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  13. "Judith Audu set to release Not Right". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  14. "Judith Audu bags Deal with iGroove Radio". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  15. "Judith Audu Premieres Movie in Nigeria". Pulse Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  16. "Judith Audu challenges Linda Ikeji | National Mirror". National Mirror Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 30 March 2013. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. "Nominees List". Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards. Lagos, Nigeria. 30 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  18. "With Alpha Mum, Judith Audu Steps Up". Guardian Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 27 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  19. "Judith Audu Ectstatic over AMVCA Nomination". Vanguard Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  20. "Judith Audu Excited over 'Not Right' Nominations". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  21. "Winners of the 22nd African Film Awards 2018". African Voice Newspaper UK. London, England. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  22. "ACTRESS JUDITH AUDU BAGS AWARD FROM TORONTO INTERNATIONAL NOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL". Daily independent Newspaper. Toronto, Canada. 2 September 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  23. "UNHCR Names Judith Audu as High Profile Supporter". Daily Independent. Edo, Nigeria. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  24. "Dazzling Eko Star award for leading ladies of film, TV". guardian.ng. Toronto, Canada. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  25. "A Special Commendation of the Blessed Virgin and of Her Sorrow, Which is Beyond Price, Which She Suffered in the Passion of Her Son", Wisdom's Watch Upon the Hours, Catholic University of America Press, pp. 217–230, 4 January 2019, doi:10.2307/j.ctv9b2x5g.23, retrieved 22 July 2022
  26. "MAMA OSARO GOES KINKY ….to save her marriage". Eminent Leaders Magazine. Ena Ofugara. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  27. "Judith Audu, Ada Ameh, Charles Inojie star in new movie". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  28. "'Mama Osaro Goes Kinky': Judith Audu, Ada Ameh, Charles Inojie star in new movie". 1Push Naija. Ogbodo. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
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