Femi Oyeniran is a Nigerian-British actor and director who started his career in the cult classic Kidulthood, playing the role of "Moony" in 2006. It was followed by the 2008 sequel Adulthood. His first feature film as a director "It's A Lot" was released theatrically by Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment in 2013. Oyeniran sold his second movie The Intent to Netflix for a worldwide release; it appeared on the platform on 15 May 2017. The film had already peaked at number 3 on the iTunes Movie Chart and opened to sold out cinemas. It was funded, shot and distributed completely independently.
Career
Oyeniran's TV appearances include ITV's "Golden Hour", Channel 4's "The Ghost Squad" and BBC's "Absolutely Fabulous". His theatre debut was at the Hackney Empire in a two-hander called "Basic". He has appeared on news channelsBBC News 24 and Sky News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4's Today Programme and the BBC Asian Network to discuss youth culture in London. He was involved in an organization called Smart Justice for Young People, which looked at alternative modes of punishing petty crime. This led to him being asked to make a TV report for BBC 2's “The Daily Politics" Programme. In July 2006, he accepted a request to speak alongside David Cameron at a Centre for Social Justice Event. In 2009, 'Fresh Off The Boat' became Femi's first foray into film directing. The film was nominated as part of the 2009 Film London 'Best of Boroughs' awards. He produces and hosts an online panel chat show and podcast called Cut the Chat, it sees Femi along with his friends DJ Ace, Damon the barber and comedian Littleman tackle trivia as well as profound issues. The show has proven a success with sold-out tours around the country as well as live shows at the Camden Roundhouse and Tate Britain. The podcast is published once a week on YouTube, Soundcloud and on the Apple podcast app. As an actor, he is best known for his roles as 'Moony' in Kidulthood and its sequel Adulthood, as well as 'Bookie', in a comedy spin-off Anuvahood, a film made by Adam Deacon. It's A Lot, which he co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced was released in Spring 2013.. In 2014, he produced a 10-part series for Sky Living called Venus vs. Mars, which aired in April 2015. In the same year, he directed the short film "Red Room", and starred alongside Kelly Brook and Georgia Groome in 'Taking Stock' by award-winning director Maeve Murphy. He also played the lead in Film London funded 'City Lights'. 2016 saw Oyeniran independently release feature film The Intent, which he co/wrote, co/produced and co/directed with Nicky 'Slimting' Walker. The film was received positively as a story with "confidence and style". In November 2016, he executive produced ITV2 comedy Dropperz, and went on to work as assistant producer on Kudos/Sky Atlantic series TIN STAR. The prequel to the 2016 hit, The Intent, stood tall at the box-office on its opening weekend, opening as the No. 1 film in several of the UK's biggest Cinemas, and enjoying the second highest screen average that weekend. It is now available on Netflix. The film won Best UK Movie at the Mvisa awards. It also won big at the National Film Awards, picking up three awards including "Best Action Film. Femi also wrote episode 5 of Netflix series Turn Up Charlie, which sees Idris Elba playing the lead. Oyeniran wrote and produced the feature film The Intent Starring Scorcher, Krept and Konan, Shone Romulus, Jade Asha and Dylan Duffus. In addition to his work in film, television and theatre, Femi has delivered a series of workshops to young people in Young Offenders Institutions. In 2014 Femi was invited to give a TEDxParliament Talk on the theme of democracy, which was inspired by his extensive work with young offenders. He also sat as a Commissioner on the Speaker of the House of Commons' Commission on Digital Democracy Commission, which explored modes of improving democratic participation through the use of technology.
Political views
Oyeniran has an interest in politics. In 2017, Oyeniran worked with the team that created the #Grime4Corbyn hashtag. The aim of the grassroots campaign was to galvanise young people on social media and endorse the Labour Party leaderJeremy Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election. Oyeniran explained that the movement has plans far beyond the 8 June vote saying: "The long-term aim is for it to go beyond the election, it's not just about what happens with Jeremy Corbyn in election. It's about youth engagement, it's about young people caring about politics, it's about young people taking action for things they’re not happy about around them. So it's much more than Corbyn."
