Nora Awolowo: From Accounting Student to Cinematic Trailblazer

Nora Awolowo has always been someone who shuns the mundane. While studying accounting at Ekiti State University, she quickly realized that the traditional 9-5 grind wasn’t for her. Driven by a need for excitement and creativity, she found her calling in the world of photography. But that was just the beginning.

Boredom and a thirst for artistic expression pushed Nora into cinematography. Her journey from capturing stills to shooting dynamic, life-altering documentaries marked the start of an incredible career. She went on to launch Rixel Studios, a platform that would later help her work with industry giants like FIFA, Canon, and Guinness. Her films reached global audiences, and her exceptional work even earned her an Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award. But her most recent success? The thriller Red Circle, a film set to break box office records in Nigeria and beyond.

At just 26 years old in March 2025, Nora has built a reputation as an inventive artist with the sharp instincts of a seasoned entrepreneur. Her latest project, Red Circle, is more than a film—it's a bold declaration of her unique vision and ambition. The buzz around it is undeniable, and it's clear that people are paying attention.

When I caught up with Nora after the overwhelmingly positive response to Red Circle’s UK premiere, I expected her to be brimming with confidence. Instead, she was refreshingly candid. “I was anxious about it, to be honest,” she admitted, which caught me off guard given her track record. But Nora quickly explained the deeper reason for her nerves: “Art, in any form, makes you vulnerable.” This vulnerability is something she’s learned to embrace.

Red Circle marks a new chapter for her. It's Rixel Studios' first feature film, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The film has already made waves in Nigeria and Ghana, and it’s set to reach global audiences soon. Unlike her previous projects, where she was often the Director of Photography on commissioned works, this time it’s personal. Her name, vision, and the future of her studio are tied directly to the success of the film.

“As a producer, you’re involved from start to finish,” she explains. “You’re the one who understands all the risks. You live with the decisions you’ve made, and the stakes are real.” Yet, the payoff is equally powerful. Seeing audiences respond positively—whether through glowing reviews or simply people stopping her to say they loved the film—has been deeply fulfilling for her.

Nora's rise to the top of the film industry wasn’t by chance. Her path diverged from the traditional route when she decided to leave the confines of an office career behind. “I didn’t want the typical corporate life,” she recalls. “I wanted to document stories, capture moments, and turn what’s in my head into something visual.” That’s how she ended up behind the lens, and from there, it was only a matter of time before she made her mark in the world of cinematography.

Today, Nora Awolowo stands as one of the most exciting talents in the film industry, blending art with entrepreneurship in a way that is both innovative and inspiring.