Funmbi Ogunbanwo

Funmbi Ogunbanwo, a Sundance award-winning producer and an accredited member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), is a prominent voice in African cinema and storytelling. As co-founder and CEO of Fatherland, she leads a dynamic creative studio that is redefining African film, television, and digital content.

Funmbi has been instrumental in driving new narratives that centre on African storytelling. Under her leadership, My Father's Shadow made history at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards, taking home the prestigious BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer, one of the most coveted honours in world cinema.

The film further cemented its place in history as the first Nigerian film ever to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival. The groundbreaking project was made possible through a first-of-its-kind international
co-production and financing partnership with Element Pictures UK, BBC Film, the British Film Institute (BFI), and MUBI. The film concluded its celebrated debut at the 78th Festival de Cannes with a Caméra d'Or Special Mention for Best First Feature.

My Father's Shadow continued its award season dominance at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA), where it swept five categories: Best Movie, Best Writing in a Movie, Best Director, Best Score, and Best Sound Design.

Originally trained as a barrister, Funmbi transitioned to film production, building an impressive portfolio of feature films and campaigns for major global brands, including Google, Goldman Sachs, and Visa. Among her notable works is the AMVCA-nominated Banana Island Ghost, where she served as Associate Producer and Project Manager, earning her significant recognition in Africa’s entertainment industry. Funmbi has also served as a panel judge for Netflix's UNESCO African Folktales, Reimagined Short Film Competition, and her role as a commissioning editor at MultiChoice has refined her expertise in strategic storytelling and production, driving Fatherland’s ambitious goals on a global scale.

A career highlight includes producing Lizard, the first Nigerian short film to win at Sundance and forging a groundbreaking partnership with Element Pictures, making Fatherland the first Nigerian company to collaborate with the renowned studio.

Beyond production, Funmbi is committed to building sustainable business models for African creatives and actively mentors emerging creative enterprises across Africa. A sought-after speaker on African storytelling and the creative economy, she uses her platform to inspire new filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs across the continent and beyond