Niyi Towolawi is an award-winning British filmmaker whose work is defined by cinematic ambition and international reach.
With more than 30 years in the creative industries, beginning in music production before transitioning into filmmaking through music video direction, he brings over 20 years of film experience across Africa, Europe and the USA. He has directed ten feature films and worked across television, commercials, music videos and short-form projects. His stories are shaped by culture, character and emotional complexity.
International Film Production
A recipient of over 50 awards and festival wins, Niyi has written and produced several of his own films, including Turning Point, a Nollywood-Hollywood ensemble featuring Ernie Hudson. His work has achieved box office success in multiple countries and reflects a sensibility shaped by both Nigerian heritage and Western upbringing.
Visual Storytelling
Niyi’s directing style is rooted in strong visual authorship. His films often use a dynamic moving camera language to explore layered relationships, identity, taboo subjects and characters driven by conflicting motives. He favours female leads and central characters who do not appear physically strong.
Music, Rhythm & Creative Roots
Before moving into film, Niyi, also known as “HekCentrik”, worked in music production, founding HekCentrik Music before expanding into screen storytelling. He produced artists including D’banj, Deoba Authentic and Kartik, and performed with Kartik on stages shared with Destiny’s Child, Ice T, 3T and Mark Morrison. That musical background continues to shape his filmmaking, particularly in rhythm, tone and emotional pacing. He also plays saxophone and piano, performing jazz standards and the music of Fela Kuti.
Technology & AI Workflows
Alongside filmmaking, Niyi has a professional background in software development, with academic training in mathematics, information technology and filmmaking. He now brings that technical mindset into modern production and development, applying it to emerging AI-driven filmmaking workflows and systems-led creative processes.
