Adé Sultan Sangodoyin is a Nigerian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer whose work spans independent cinema, international film production and literary storytelling. He gained recognition as a co-producer of Eyimofe (This Is My Desire), the acclaimed Nigerian drama that premiered at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in 2020.
Sangodoyin later moved into directing with We Must Begin Again, Together, a short film he wrote and directed. The production premiered internationally at the 23rd Afrika Film Festival Köln in September 2026.
His career also includes production work on international projects, earlier short films and published fiction. His journey reflects a gradual development from working behind the scenes to creating stories under his own direction.
Adé Sultan Sangodoyin Early Life and Education
Sangodoyin grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The city later became an important setting for his filmmaking, particularly his short film We Must Begin Again, Together.
He studied English Literature with Journalism at the University of Buckingham in England. His academic background helped develop his interest in literature, writing and storytelling.
He later earned a master’s degree in Screenwriting from the London Film School. The programme strengthened his understanding of screenplay development and narrative structure.
Sangodoyin also developed an interest in fiction writing. His short stories include A Language of the Unconscious, Dad Attempted Many Things and Failed, The Charred Flower and A Cocaine Fairytale. Some of his literary work appeared in publications such as The Kalahari Review and Agbowo Magazine.
His experience in literature and screenwriting has influenced his approach to film. He often explores intimate human experiences and the social structures that shape people’s lives.
How Adé Sultan Sangodoyin Started His Filmmaking Career
Sangodoyin developed his filmmaking experience through several production roles. He worked as a production assistant on Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 and later served as a director’s assistant on Omugwo.
He also worked as an art director on Afolayan’s The CEO. These experiences exposed him to different aspects of film production, from visual design to directing and working with actors.
Watching experienced filmmakers make creative decisions helped shape his understanding of directing. He paid attention to how directors planned scenes, worked with cinematographers and considered editing during production.
Sangodoyin also learned from the collaborative process behind filmmaking. His early experience gave him practical knowledge that later became useful when he began directing his own projects.
Adé Sultan Sangodoyin Movies and Filmography
Sangodoyin’s filmography includes short films, feature-film production credits and international projects. His work covers directing, producing, screenwriting, line production and other production responsibilities.
Different Plains
Different Plains, released in 2015, is among Sangodoyin’s early directing credits. The short film formed part of his development as a filmmaker and storyteller.
The project introduced his interest in creating intimate narratives. It also established an early foundation for his later work in independent cinema.
A Cemetery of Doves
Sangodoyin directed A Cemetery of Doves in 2019. The short drama runs for approximately 15 minutes and features a dialogue-free storytelling approach.
The film received attention through international festival screenings, including the New York African Film Festival. Its presentation demonstrated his interest in visual storytelling and narratives that communicate beyond dialogue.
The project helped establish his presence within independent African cinema before his work on Eyimofe brought him wider industry recognition.
Eyimofe (This Is My Desire)
Eyimofe, released in 2020, became one of Sangodoyin’s most important production credits. He served as a co-producer alongside Melissa Adeyemo.
Directed by Arie and Chuko Esiri, the film follows two Lagos residents pursuing better lives. Mofe works as a technician and hopes to relocate abroad, while Rosa seeks a different future for herself and her younger sister.
The film premiered at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in 2020. It later received international recognition and established itself as an important contemporary Nigerian film.
Working on Eyimofe gave Sangodoyin valuable production experience. He observed how the directors worked with actors and managed the different stages of filmmaking.
The project also strengthened his understanding of collaboration. He later drew on these lessons when directing his own short films.
Other Production Credits
Sangodoyin has worked on several international productions in different capacities. His line-production credits include the Spanish crime series La Unidad and the Netflix production Sky High.
He also worked on Wang Bing’s documentary I Come from Ikotun. These projects expanded his experience beyond Nigerian productions and exposed him to different production environments.
He later served as a producer on Olive Nwosu’s short film Lady. His involvement in the project continued his work with filmmakers developing stories for international audiences.
We Must Begin Again, Together: His Directorial Development
We Must Begin Again, Together represents an important step in Sangodoyin’s development as a writer-director. He conceived the story in 2021 but spent several years developing the screenplay and securing production financing.
The 18-minute short film follows Bimbi, a woman whose life changes after discovering that her husband is having an affair with her brother. The double betrayal forces her to reconsider her relationships and the values that have shaped her life.
Set in Ibadan, the film examines family loyalty, patriarchy, femininity and personal agency. Sangodoyin uses the city’s social and cultural environment as an important part of the story.
Teniola Aladese plays Bimbi. The cast also includes Patrick Diabuah, Yetunde Oduwole, Rose Odika, Sunday Joy and Kadejo Sogo.
Sangodoyin wrote and directed the film. Melissa Adeyemo produced it for Ominira Studios, while Sangodoyin and Jamiu Shoyode also served as producers through Emperium Films.
The production reunited Sangodoyin with collaborators from earlier projects. It also gave him an opportunity to concentrate on directing and shaping the actors’ performances.
International Festival Recognition
We Must Begin Again, Together premiered at the 23rd Afrika Film Festival Köln in Germany. The festival ran from September 17 to 27, 2026, giving the film its first major international audience.
The selection marked an important achievement in Sangodoyin’s transition into directing. It also brought attention to a story rooted in Ibadan and Nigerian social experiences.
The film serves as a proof of concept for a planned feature-length project. Sangodoyin developed the longer story from a screenplay he wrote during his film-school studies.
The short version introduces the central characters and conflict. A feature-length adaptation would allow him to explore their relationships and the surrounding social environment in greater depth.
Adé Sultan Sangodoyin and Berlinale Talents
Sangodoyin participated in Berlinale Talents in 2021. The programme brings together filmmakers and creative professionals from different countries for professional development and exchange.
His feature screenplay Sisyphus also gained recognition beyond the programme. The project was shortlisted for the 2022 Cinéfondation Residency, which supports screenwriters developing feature films.
These opportunities reflect his growing engagement with international filmmaking networks. They also demonstrate his interest in developing projects that can connect Nigerian stories with wider audiences.
Adé Sultan Sangodoyin’s Directing Style and Creative Vision
Sangodoyin’s work often focuses on people whose experiences receive limited attention in mainstream storytelling. He is interested in intimate human relationships and the social conditions that influence personal decisions.
His films also reflect an interest in naturalistic storytelling. Rather than relying entirely on spectacle, he explores how characters respond to difficult situations and changing relationships.
His literary background contributes to this approach. His experience as a fiction writer and screenwriter allows him to develop stories around character motivation, conflict and emotional consequences.
Sangodoyin has also expressed an interest in contributing to the wider tradition of African cinema. His influences include filmmakers such as Ousmane Sembène, Idrissa Ouedraogo, Souleymane Cissé and Tunde Kelani.
Conclusion
Adé Sultan Sangodoyin has developed a filmmaking career that combines production experience, screenwriting and independent directing. His work on Eyimofe introduced him to a major international film platform, while his earlier short films helped establish his creative interests.
His transition into directing with We Must Begin Again, Together marks another stage in that journey. The film’s international premiere at Afrika Film Festival Köln in 2026 brought wider attention to his storytelling and creative vision.
With Sisyphus in development and a feature-length version of his latest short film planned, Sangodoyin continues to build a body of work rooted in Nigerian experiences and contemporary African cinema.
