Rising actress, Osas Okonyon has said that while talent is important in the film industry, access and relationships also play a major role in determining success.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, she said, “One of the biggest revelations for me is how relationship-driven the industry is. Talent is essential, but access, trust and consistency play huge roles in who gets seen and who gets opportunities.
“There’s also a level of self-sufficiency that isn’t always visible. There’s a deep commitment to storytelling, often against the odds, and believe me, the odds are stacked. That’s something I’ve come to respect even more now that I’m on the inside.”
With the attention she is receiving from her latest project, ‘Evi’, many would expect her to strategically maximise the moment for the next phase of her career. However, Okonyon said she does not see the project as the peak of her journey.
The attention ‘Evi’ is bringing is exciting, but I’m very intentional about not treating it as a peak moment. I see this more like a doorway.
“For me, the next phase is about building a body of work that is both consistent and deeply rooted in the kinds of stories I want to tell. Strategically, I’m also looking at alignment; working with directors, producers and platforms that value intentional storytelling and are committed to pushing African stories forward globally.”
She also added that she was open to scale, by participating in projects that expand her range and visibility while still being true to who she is.
