Marc Adebesin is a Nigerian filmmaker, director, producer and screenwriter whose work includes Hustle, Dice, Unknown Soja and The Beacon Man. He has developed his career through independent film production and feature directing, working across crime, drama, thriller and historical storytelling.
His latest film, The Beacon Man, opened in Nigerian cinemas on November 6, 2026. The epic science-fiction drama explores African history, spirituality, ancestral knowledge and destiny. Its cinema release has brought renewed attention to Adebesin and his work as a director.
Before this release, he had already directed several feature films, including Hustle and Dice. His career reflects the development of an independent filmmaker who has taken on different responsibilities, from producing and writing to directing his own screen projects.
Marc Adebesin’s Early Filmmaking Career
Adebesin began building his filmmaking career through independent production. One of his early projects was Tied Up, a short film released in 2016. The project formed part of his early experience in producing films and developing stories for the screen.
He later worked on The Talking Dolls, a 2017 feature production that received recognition at the Toronto Nollywood International Film Festival. The project gave him further experience in independent filmmaking and helped establish his involvement in feature production.
Adebesin also worked on The Three Kings (2018), where he took on production-related responsibilities. These early projects helped him understand the demands of film development, production management and collaboration with cast and crew.
His experience behind the camera provided a foundation for his later work as a feature-film director.
Marc Adebesin’s Transition into Directing
Adebesin moved further into directing with projects that allowed him to develop his own approach to storytelling. His directing credits include The Alter Date (2019), Hustle (2021), What Happened at St. James (2021), Identical Justice (2022) and Dice (2023).
These projects introduced him to different genres and story structures. They also allowed him to combine directing with other creative responsibilities, including writing and producing.
His work demonstrates an interest in stories about relationships, ambition, conflict and the decisions people make when facing difficult circumstances. Rather than concentrating on one type of film, he has explored different narratives through independent feature productions.
Hustle: An Important Directing Credit
Hustle (2021) is one of Adebesin’s recognised directing projects. The crime drama follows a female con artist whose personal and professional relationships become complicated when she develops feelings for someone who was initially part of her plans.
The film features Nancy Isime, Bimbo Ademoye, Jim Iyke, Gabriel Afolayan and Femi Branch. Its story combines crime, romance and personal conflict, giving Adebesin an opportunity to work with an established cast.
He also served as a producer on the project. Taking responsibility for both directing and producing gave him involvement in different stages of the production, from shaping the story on screen to overseeing its execution.
Dice and Other Film Projects
Adebesin continued his directing work with Dice (2023), a feature film built around workplace conflict, bullying and revenge. The story follows AJ and Ruth, former romantic partners and colleagues who plan to take revenge on a workplace bully.
The film explores the consequences of resentment and the choices people make when personal grievances influence their actions. It also adds to Adebesin’s experience directing stories driven by character conflict.
Another notable project is Unknown Soja, released in Nigerian cinemas in November 2025. Adebesin served as its director and writer. The film follows a soldier whose mission takes an unexpected turn, exploring the choices and circumstances that push him towards vengeance.
The project features Deyemi Okanlawon, Desmond Elliot, Omowunmi Dada, Kehinde Bankole, Eso Dike and Rotimi Salami. It further demonstrates Adebesin’s interest in stories involving conflict, moral decisions and personal struggle.
The Beacon Man: Marc Adebesin’s Latest Film
The Beacon Man is Adebesin’s latest major directing project. The Nigerian epic science-fiction film opened in cinemas nationwide on November 6, 2026.
The story follows Seyi, a young man who discovers his connection to an ancient lineage of knowledge. His discovery draws him into a hidden world of ancestral secrets and supernatural forces. As an ancient evil threatens his bloodline, he must confront his identity and accept the responsibility attached to his inheritance.
The film combines African history, spirituality, fantasy and contemporary storytelling. It explores the relationship between ancestral knowledge and modern life, asking what happens when forgotten beliefs return to challenge established ways of thinking.
Gabriel Afolayan leads the cast, alongside Femi Branch, Odunlade Adekola, Jide Awobona, Bimbo Oshin, Yemi Blaq, Taiwo Ibikunle and Kelvin Atobiloye.
Isaac Arogundade, Simeon Arogundade and Victor Ehiosun produced the film. Blue Pictures Distribution and Film Nest Limited handled its distribution.
Before its cinema release, The Beacon Man received festival exposure through selections at the 2026 Ibadan International Film Festival and Rivers International Film Festival. It also earned a nomination for Best Feature Film Nigeria at the Ibadan festival.
For Adebesin, the project represents another step in his directing career. Its combination of science fiction, African spirituality and historical themes also gives him an opportunity to explore a different storytelling direction from the crime and relationship dramas in his earlier filmography.
Marc Adebesin’s Filmmaking Approach
Adebesin’s directing work covers several genres, but many of his projects examine human conflict and the consequences of personal decisions. Hustle explores relationships and deception, Dice centres on workplace resentment, while Unknown Soja follows a soldier whose experiences lead him towards vengeance.
The Beacon Man takes his storytelling into a different territory by combining contemporary characters with ancestral history and supernatural elements.
His experience as a producer and writer also gives him involvement beyond directing performances. These responsibilities require an understanding of how a film develops from an idea into a completed production.
Marc Adebesin’s Movies and Directing Credits
Adebesin’s selected film credits include:
| Film | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Tied Up | 2016 | Producer |
| The Talking Dolls | 2017 | Producer |
| The Three Kings | 2018 | Production work |
| The Alter Date | 2019 | Director |
| Hustle | 2021 | Director and producer |
| What Happened at St. James | 2021 | Director |
| Identical Justice | 2022 | Director |
| Dice | 2023 | Director |
| Golden Stripes | 2023 | Producer |
| Unknown Soja | 2025 | Director and writer |
| The Beacon Man | 2026 | Director |
Conclusion
Marc Adebesin has built his filmmaking career through independent production, screenwriting and feature directing. His earlier work on projects such as Tied Up and The Talking Dolls gave him experience in film production, while Hustle, Dice and Unknown Soja established a growing record of directing feature films.
His latest project, The Beacon Man, introduces a different dimension to his filmography through its combination of African history, spirituality and science fiction. With the film now in Nigerian cinemas, Adebesin continues to expand his work across different genres and storytelling styles.
