Femi Oyeniran

Career

Oyeniran's TV appearances include ITV's Golden Hour, Channel 4's The Ghost Squad and BBC's Absolutely Fabulous. His theatre debut was at the Hackney Empire in a two-hander called Basic. He has appeared on news channels BBC News 24 and Sky News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4's Today Programme and the BBC Asian Network to discuss youth culture in London. He was involved in an organization called Smart Justice for Young People, which looked at alternative modes of punishing petty crime. This led to him being asked to make a TV report for BBC 2's The Daily Politics Programme. In July 2006, he accepted a request to speak alongside David Cameron at a Centre for Social Justice Event. In 2009, Fresh Off The Boat became Oyeniran's first foray into film directing. The film was nominated as part of the 2009 Film London 'Best of Boroughs' awards.

He produces and hosts an online panel chat show and podcast called Cut the Chat; it sees Oyeniran along with his friends DJ Ace, Damon the barber and comedian Littleman tackle trivia as well as profound issues. The show has proven a success with sold-out tours around the country as well as live shows at the Camden Roundhouse and the Tate Britain. The podcast is published once a week on YouTube, Soundcloud and on the Apple podcast app.

As an actor, he is best known for his roles as 'Moony' in Kidulthood and its sequel Adulthood, as well as 'Bookie', in a comedy spin-off Anuvahood, a film made by Adam Deacon. It's A Lot, which he co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced was released in Spring 2013. (UK). In 2014, he produced a ten-part series for Sky Living called Venus vs. Mars, which aired in April 2015. In the same year, he directed the short film Red Room, and starred alongside Kelly Brook and Georgia Groome in Taking Stock by award-winning director Maeve Murphy. He also played the lead in Film London-funded City Lights. 2016 saw Oyeniran independently release the feature film The Intent, which he co-wrote, co-produced and co-directed with Nicky 'Slimting' Walker. The film was received positively as a story with "confidence and style". In November 2016, he executive produced ITV2 comedy Dropperz, and went on to work as assistant producer on Kudos/Sky Atlantic series Tin Star. The prequel to the 2016 hit The Intent, The Intent 2: The Come Up (Co-Written, Produced & Directed alongside Nicky Slimting Walker) stood tall at the box-office on its opening weekend (21 September 2018), opening as the No. 1 film in several of the UK's biggest Cinemas (Odeon Greenwich, Showcase Newham, Odeon Luxe Birmingham Broadway Plaza, Odeon Surrey Quays and Showcase Walsall), and enjoying the second highest screen average that weekend. It is now available on Netflix. The film won Best UK Movie at the Mvisa awards. It also won big at the National Film Awards, picking up three awards, including "Best Action Film". Oyeniran also wrote episode 5 of the Netflix series Turn Up Charlie, which featured Idris Elba playing the lead.

Oyeniran wrote and produced the feature film The Intent It starred Scorcher, Krept and Konan, Shone Romulus, Jade Asha and Dylan Duffus. The film won Best feature at the BT British Urban Film Festival awards in 2017.

In addition to his work in film, television and theatre, Oyeniran has delivered a series of workshops to young people in Young Offenders Institutions. In 2014, Oyeniran was invited to give a TEDxParliament Talk on the theme of democracy, which was inspired by his extensive work with young offenders. He also sat as a Commissioner on the Speaker of the House of Commons' Commission on Digital Democracy Commission, which explored modes of improving democratic participation through the use of technology.

Political views

Oyeniran has an interest in politics.

Personal life

Oyeniran, was born in Nigeria He attended St Aloysius' College, at the London School of Economics.

In addition to acting and filmmaking, Oyeniran is a keen Manchester United football fan. He is a Christian and a married father of two.

References

References

1. "Femi Oyeniran". TEDx Houses of Parliament.
2. Potton, Ed. (27 September 2008). "Panel of Experts: Inner-city views of Adulthood". [[The Times]].
3. "Kaleidoscope Film Distribution".
4. "'The Intent' Is Making A Netflix Debut - The Beat London 103.6 FM".
5. "The Intent is coming to Netflix!".
6. "Stop investing in crime and start investing in - Smart Justice".
7. "Best of Boroughs Film Awards". Film London.
8. "Home".
9. "BBC Radio 1Xtra - 1Xtra Chat, Cut the Chat on 1Xtra: Jamaica stories and weightloss tips".
10. (12 November 2012). "Kidulthood star gives riot victims roles in UK's answer to Ferris".
11. (29 October 2012). "Teen comedy filmed in Tottenham". BBC News.
12. "Tottenham students become film stars for the week - News".
13. Bradshaw, Peter. (28 July 2016). "The Intent review – pulsating south London crime thriller".
14. (25 September 2018). "THE INTENT 2: THE COME UP". Filmoria.co.uk.
15. (April 2024). "The 2018 MViSA Awards Roaring Success".
16. (28 March 2019). "National Film Awards: Idris Elba's Yardie wins big".
17. (28 July 2016). "The Intent review – pulsating south London crime thriller".
18. "Femi Oyeniran ‹ Speakers ‹ 2014 ‹ TEDxHousesOfParliament".
19. TEDx Talks. (10 July 2014). "Prison democracy - Femi Oyeniran - TEDxHousesofParliament".
20. "Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy".
21. Atack, Patrick. (8 June 2017). "London Grime artists target youth vote". Euronews.
22. Percival, Jenny. (11 December 2008). "Knife-carrying down in crime 'hotspots'". [[The Guardian]].