Bio

Lolade Leigh-Thompson is a Nigerian Canadian Film-maker born in Guelph, Ontario and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She fell in love with acting at an early age and by her teenage years had done print, T.V commercials, theatre and some film work. After graduating from Lagos State University with an Honours Degree in History; Lolade returned to Canada in 1994 in search of herself and acting dreams.

After many years of waiting for the magical moment and almost giving up on her dreams; Lolade decided to take a different approach. In 2012, Lolade produced and directed her first film – a short film titled “You’re Beautiful” a preteen film about self -esteem with the element of bullying. It had 17 first time children actors from her local Ajax community.

In 2013, the film was screened at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) – Los Angeles, Commffest Global film Festival in Toronto, Kids First film festival and the Bronze lens Film Festival in Atlanta.  Lolade engaged her community to help raise funds to take four of the children to the Pan African Film festival in Los Angeles.  She wanted the children to know that if they could dream it, believe it and work hard for it; all things were possible. It was a memorable time for the kids. The film was recently screened (summer 2017) at the Newark Black Film Festival at the Newark museum, New Jersey.

In 2017, Lolade completed the post for her first feature “Get The Sucker Back” a capper comedy which she produced, wrote, directed and acted in. Lolade believes in God, women empowerment, cultural diversity and life time learning. She loves travelling, meeting new people, singing and reading.  She lives in the greater Toronto area in Ontario, Canada with her husband Akinwale Thompson, two daughters – Temi and Tosin, and their dog Maximus.