“Film making a passion I never abandoned” – Adenike Adebayo

Adenike Adebayo-Esho, the director and co-producer of Summer Rain, initially pursued a career in law due to his deep interest in the legal system.

In 2015, she shifted her focus to media and filmmaking, embracing her passion for storytelling.

In a conversation with Saturday Beats, she expressed her long-held desire to explore storytelling.

Adenike Adebayo-Esho, the director and co-producer of Summer Rain, initially embarked on a career in law driven by a profound interest in the legal system. However, in 2015, she shifted her focus to media and filmmaking, following her genuine passion for storytelling.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, she expressed that storytelling had always been a journey she wished to undertake. “Well, it’s something I always wanted to practice. It was inside of me, and I wanted to explore. I was always interested in the legal system and practicing, so I pursued that,” she articulated. Now residing abroad, Adebayo-Esho revealed that the inspiration for Summer Rain came to her organically.

“I got the story for Summer Rain by inspiration. It was just something that came to me, and I developed it into a relatable story. It’s a tale of love, second chances, friendship, and family—something that Nigerians and humans in general can connect with,” she noted.

Despite her relocation, she affirmed her strong ties to the Nigerian film industry, stating, “Filmmaking is something I was already into before leaving Nigeria. I never abandoned that part of me. I always knew I wanted to keep telling Nigerian stories wherever I found myself. That has always been very important to me.”

Discussing her casting process for the film, she highlighted the necessity of choosing actors who could authentically embody their roles. “For me, it’s essential that my actors truly reflect and fit the roles they are playing. I was very particular about casting actors who could connect deeply with their characters and bring them to life exactly as I envisioned,” she noted.

Regarding the challenges of producing a film in Nigeria, Adebayo-Esho identified financial limitations, cast availability, scheduling conflicts, and even disruptions from external elements as significant hurdles. Nevertheless, she remained resolute in the face of these challenges. “We just kept going. You can’t let these challenges hold you back or weigh you down. You have to keep your eyes on the prize and push forward,” she stated.