Filmmaker Kemi Adetiba has commended actors who took part in the audition for her upcoming film The Stool after the submission period closed.
She shared her reaction in a series of posts on her X page on Wednesday, where she expressed appreciation for the turnout and effort from participants.
Kemi wrote, “First of all… THANK YOU!!
We didn’t know what to expect when we opened this up.. But what you gave us surpassed every expectation. And beyond that, you reminded me why I love this industry.
So many of you showed up with courage, honesty and vulnerability. You allowed yourselves to be seen. That is never a small thing. It is something I don’t take lightly and something I will carry with me for a very long time.
“More than anything, this experience humbled me.
It showed me how much you respect my work. And I want you to know that I respect your courage just as deeply.
“I understand the privilege of access in this industry. Yes, I have access to incredible, established actors — and that process is happening as well, by invitation. But this open call was about something else entirely.
This was about access to you.
About discovering talent that might never cross my path otherwise. About finding the people who have been quietly refining their craft and waiting for a moment like this. I am building something bold. Something that will stretch even me. And I cannot do it without great talent… Wherever that talent may be.
“To those we will be moving forward with, I want to say this directly… Seize the moment! You will be working alongside some of the most established and respected talents in the industry. But I don’t want you to simply hold your own. I want you to own your moment…. Steal the scene!! Fresh, undeniable talent always rises. We have seen it before. Characters like Madam Adunni, Ozzy-Boy, Inspector Onome, and so many others, came from moments exactly like this one. With limited screen time, they made themselves unforgettable. That is what is possible here. This project is deeply ambitious. The vision is clear… To create something that has never been birthed on this side of the world before. I need you to help bring it to life. Thank you for the energy, the excitement, the bravery you brought to this process. I am genuinely looking forward to working with some of you.”
Adetiba announced the open audition on April 2, calling for actors to submit video entries online for consideration. The process attracted both established performers and emerging talents across the industry and closed on April 13.
Among those who participated were actress Shan George, as well as aspiring actors including George Wisdom, Alexander Adejoh and Olajide Miracle, who shared their audition clips on social media. Several skit makers and content creators also took part, posting performance videos across different platforms.
The open call gained wide attention for its accessibility, allowing lesser known talents to audition alongside established names through online submissions.
The film, The Stool, is expected to feature a mix of new and established actors, with Adetiba indicating that selections will be made from both the open audition and private invitations.
Adetiba is known for directing King of Boys and its sequel series, which helped launch several breakout characters. Her most recent project, To Kill a Monkey, further strengthened her reputation for large scale, character driven storytelling.
