By Nkechi Chima
Port Harcourt, Rivers State-born actress and filmmaker, Seleye Fubara has a dream, and she has vowed not to relent until she realises it.
Fubara’s mission was to develop the Ijaw film industry having discovered that her Ijaw community is lagging behind in terms of movie production.
In this interview, Fubara speaks on why she relocated to Lagos from her Port Harcourt base. She also opens up on her vision for 2024 and her urgent need for a life partner among other interesting issues.
How long have you been in the industry?
I have been in the industry since 2019.
What was your first movie role?
My first movie role was in Memory Lane where I acted five scenes. The movie was shot in Asaba by Uche Oduoputa and he was the first to give me the opportunity to act. He actually helped me succeed in the industry. But it’s all grace of God. I lived in Port Harcourt, so I had to relocate to Lagos because of my job. I admire notable names like Desmond Elliot, and Bimbo Akintola for her success as an actress.
How was the experience relocating to Lagos?
It was difficult because I didn’t have a family in Lagos. But I was encouraged by some people to settle down in Lagos and fulfil my career dream. Though, I considered going back home because of the tough times in Lagos, but God kept giving me movie jobs to make me stay. I was missing my family and Port Harcourt generally, but I stayed in Lagos and today I am happy about my decision.
At what point did you go into movie production?
I went into movie production in 2019, with the assistance of Belema Aid Foundation, an initiative of Belema Oil in partnership with NNPC. I was a benefactor of that initiative and the producer of my first film, Memory Lane. I must appreciate Mr. Pein Jackrich Seleye Fubara for giving me the opportunity to become a movie producer, and I’m thankful for that.
Would you say acting brought you to Lagos?
Acting brought me to Lagos because filmmaking is not thriving in Rivers State. So, I came to Lagos to fulfil my career dream and I don’t have any regret today.
How were you able to find your feet in Lagos?
God actually brought people like Desmond Elliot and others to support me, and I’m grateful to those who helped me.
How has your acting career been since then?
It has been a success and I am still making impacts. I know that I could still do more to become more successful. I did a six-movie marathon, which was shot in Rivers State. The movie is centered on my growing up experiences in Rivers State among others. I am grateful because it opened doors for other filmmakers, so everybody doesn’t have to move to Lagos for movie production.
Which is the most impactful among the movies you featured?
It’s actually two movies. The first one is Duke and Demi where I featured with Pere Egbi of BBNaija, who is an Ijaw man. That movie is a game changer, talking about people with special needs among other captivating stories, It was produced by me in Rivers State. Another is Now They See You, which is also memorable. It has a lot of reviews and encouragements. I will say it’s my biggest film so far, it’s also produced by me in Rivers State.
Talking about production, what are you working on presently?
I’m trying to showcase more stories that people could relate with. I hope to do more films in Bayelsa, Rivers and Lagos States this year. However, I intend to bring in a generation of filmmakers. The industry is mostly dominated by Yoruba and Igbo. Though, we have Hausa films and there are also Edo films but the Ijaws are lagging behind in movie production.
So, I will be very grateful if I’m able to achieve the feat of producing more Ijaw films. I produce English movies, but I want to excel as a filmmaker with huge and diverse stories about the Ijaw community and Nigeria at large. Furthermore, I hope the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa States would soon partner with lwary Entertainment and have more Ijaw people in the industry.
Have you had any bad experience on location?
I haven’t had any rough experience on set. We stayed in Port Harcourt for three months to shoot and it was calm. Every location we used, people were accommodating and we didn’t have to pay any tout to protect our cameras.
Are you in a relationship?
When people ask me that question, I usually tell them that I am in a relationship. I’m in love all the time, that’s what I say.
Why?
I am in a relationship with my colleagues and family members.
So, you are not in a serious romantic relationship?
No!
What kind of man would you want him to be?
I am basically looking for a life partner. Though, there are lots of husbands but I need a partner, a life partner.