Top 5 movie directors of 2016

It’s less than four weeks before the year 2016 comes to an end.

The year has been an interesting and creative one for the Nigeria film industry Nollywood. The industry has had its adept, intelligent and lively entertaining year yet.
A director is one of the most important persons on set of a film project. He or she executes and visualizes the whole project, capturing it on camera.
In 2016, some Nollywood directors took risks, went for a different and more complex stories, and made great films.
In this list, we have put together five directors who made outstanding films that appealed visually, mentally, and were accepted by critics and the audience.
Check them out below;
1. Izu Ojukwu - "76"
Ojukwu throws a whole new meaning to the historical film genre with “76.” Izu Ojukwu creates a masterpiece, spinning a soulful, nostalgic and captivating story, while creating characters that ring with life.
"76" is a meticulously detailed Nigerian historical fiction drama about a young soldier accused of complicity in the abortive coup of 1976, and his pregnant wife who helps him prove his innocence
The Izu Ojukwu movie sparks a bygone era to life with impressive imagery, as he takes viewers back to the 70s via retro fashion, music and dance style.
His movie "76" unfolds with an endearing confidence.
Ojukwu as a director is persistently curious, constantly looking for the small details that sell the emotion and underlying theme. And with just the right amount of striking camera movies, Ojukwu created a visual cinematic beauty.
As a historical piece, Ojukwu does a great service in bringing “76” to the screen in an era where history is being blotted out.

2. Niyi Akinmolayan - "The Arbitration"
Akinmolayan’s “The Arbitration" tells the story of Gbenga ( O.C Ukeje) and his employee Dara (Adesua Etomi) who had an affair. After the affair ended and Dara left the company, she sued Gbenga and accused him of rape. An arbitration panel was constituted to find out the truth
Akinmolayan passes with flying colors in his latest outing as a director, demonstrating how his craft has improved since his last cinema outing "Falling."
Despite the film’s screenplay moving back and forth on a round table in a room with an arbitrator presiding over the proceedings, the director’s skills were evident in viewer’s ability to connect with the characters and their various emotions.
With the movie, Akinmolayan shows off his forensic mind and nose for unique movies that ask brilliant questions.
With "The Arbitration," Akinmolayan simply establishes a new kind of depth — both visually and mentally.

3. Kemi Adetiba
Adetiba was trusted with a difficult task of directing the most star-studded Nollywood movie of 2016, as her first feature film.
Despite its cast and the fact that everything happens in a day, Adetiba makes an outstanding debut, directing a movie that can be called 'the best comedy movie of the year.
The most beautiful thing about Adebita's feature film debut is cast management. The romantic comedy features over 300 cast, with all major being veterans or young popular actors. She creatively makes every character relevant to the story.
Adetiba is surprising and delightful as a director. With “The Wedding Party,” she shows off her knack for making the ordinary extraordinary.

4. Steve Gukas
Cinema needs occasional breath of fresh air, and Gukas, from the days of “ A Place in the Stars,” has always provided it.
With his 2016 movie “ 93 Days,” Gukas has shown that an honest and unflinching portrayal of true life events can succeed both critically and commercially.
It is the powerful driving force behind his movie “93 Days” that earns him a spot on this list.
Gukas delivers an emotional and well-made stirring depiction of how the deadly Ebola Virus was contained in Nigeria.
With finely balanced performances and chemistry, Gukas also delivers a compelling vision.

5. Kunle Afolayan
Afolayan is a filmmaker who fast developed an ardent following among the intelligent viewers, and when he returned with the whodunit "The CEO,” expectations were high.
It is impossible to overstate Afolayan’s influence in the Nigerian film industry. His skills has spawned a generation of disciples.
While opinion is divided over his most recent output “ The CEO,” Kunle Afolayan still smartly weaves a thrilling story, with every scene being relevant.
The Kunle Afolayan technique of having the viewers think and ask questions with open-ended scenes, plot, and twist, isn't missing in "The CEO."
Just as fans were tasked with asking "Does the Araromire have anything to do with the strange happenings" in"The Figurine, "The CEO" leaves them asking "What does the musical chair game have to do with the deaths?" "Who is Dr. Zimmerman?" "Is it pure coincidence that she seems to have dirts on all the executives?" "How much does she know?"
Afolayan brings his intransigent and unique cinematic vision to “ The CEO,” making it one of the best movies of 2016, despite its flaws.
#Pulse Nigeria.