After more than a decade of bringing other people’s stories to life, Nancy Isime is stepping behind the scenes to tell one of her own. With “Loving Itohan”, the actress and television presenter ventures into film executive production, embracing the creative and business challenges of filmmaking. As the movie prepares for its November 6 cinema release, Isime’s latest move signals a bold new chapter in her entertainment career, taking her from playing roles to calling the shots.
Nancy Isime has spent more than a decade bringing other people’s stories to life on screen. Now, the Nigerian actress and television presenter is taking on a new challenge, stepping into film executive production with Loving Itohan, her forthcoming movie scheduled for nationwide cinema release on November 6.
The actress unveiled the film’s official trailer on Friday, October 16, nine days after announcing her decision to venture into film production. The development marks a new chapter in a career that has spanned acting, television presenting and entertainment production.
Announcing the trailer on Instagram, Isime celebrated the effort behind the project, describing it as their “baby” and inviting audiences to discover Itohan’s story. The release offers the public its first official introduction to the film ahead of its cinema debut.
For Isime, however, the project represents more than another screen credit. It is an opportunity to assume greater responsibility for a production rather than contribute solely through her performance as an actress.
From Acting To Executive Production
When Isime announced Loving Itohan on October 7, she openly acknowledged her nervousness about taking on the role for the first time in a film.
She explained that, after years of acting in other people’s stories, she felt it was time to pursue a project of her own.
The statement offered a clear explanation for the transition. Acting requires performers to interpret characters and communicate a story through their work, while executive production involves responsibilities connected to the wider undertaking, including key production decisions and the coordination of creative and commercial interests.
Isime has also said she intends to share aspects of the production journey with her followers, including meetings, sponsorship discussions, marketing activities and the challenges that arise along the way.
The approach promises a closer look at the work involved in bringing a film to audiences, beyond the publicity and premieres that typically accompany a release.
Although Loving Itohan is her first film as an executive producer, the move into production is not entirely new territory. In 2019, she launched The Nancy Isime Show, serving as its creator, host and executive producer. The programme gave her experience in developing and presenting content under her own creative direction.
Her film venture therefore extends an existing interest in production into another entertainment format.
Introducing ‘Loving Itohan’
The forthcoming movie features Isime alongside Oberry Hovah, Uzor Arukwe, Martha Ehinome, Dorothy Bachor, Chioma Nwosu and Grace Dein Coker.
Izuoba serves as producer, Oroboosa Ikp directs the film, and Lucas Gram is the director of photography. Greoh Studios and NIP Studios are the production houses behind the project, while FilmOne Entertainment and Filmhouse Cinemas are handling distribution.
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For now, the trailer marks the beginning of the film’s public campaign, with the cinema release date giving prospective viewers a clear point of anticipation.
A Career Built Across Entertainment
Isime’s latest venture follows years of work across acting and television presentation. She began her acting career in the television series Echoes in 2011, after earlier experience in modelling and entertainment presentation.
Her profile grew through her work on HipTV’s Trending, where she interviewed entertainers and covered developments in the Nigerian entertainment industry. She later hosted programmes and major events, including The Voice Nigeria and The Headies. In 2025, she became the first woman to host The Headies solo.
Her acting credits include Blood Sisters, Shanty Town, Hijack ’93 and Postcards, alongside films such as Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Queen Lateefah and Everybody Loves Jenifa.
These projects have taken her across television, streaming platforms and cinema, exposing her to different formats and styles of storytelling.
With Loving Itohan, she is adding another dimension to that experience. Her contribution now extends to executive production, placing her among the professionals responsible for bringing a film together rather than limiting her involvement to a role on screen.
A Different Kind Of Screen Credit
Moving into executive production presents a different set of demands from acting. Beyond assembling the creative elements of a film, the production must deliver a coherent story, meet its release objectives and connect with its intended audience.
For Isime, Loving Itohan provides an opportunity to apply her industry experience in this new capacity. Its reception will ultimately depend on the finished film and how audiences respond when it reaches cinemas.
The project has already progressed from announcement to trailer release, with its cast, production credits and distribution arrangements publicised ahead of its November opening.
On November 6, cinema audiences across Nigeria will have the opportunity to see the film in full. For Isime, the release will mark a significant step in her transition from interpreting stories to taking a more direct role in bringing one to the screen.
After years of building her reputation through acting and presenting, she is entering another side of the industry with a project of her own. Loving Itohan is the next major milestone in that journey.