Tell Us A Little About Yourself…
Hi my name is Joan Iyiola and I am a British-Nigerian filmmaker from London, UK.
What inspired you to become a filmmaker, and how has your heritage influenced your work?
I’ve been an actress for over fifteen years and was becoming increasingly aware of the kinds of stories I wasn’t seeing, but was longing to see. Becoming a filmmaker felt like a necessary step to learn how to tell those stories myself. My heritage has deeply shaped the way I work. It informs not just the characters I’m drawn to, but the scale and ambition of the stories I want to tell, and reminds me of global reach.
What challenges have you faced as a filmmaker of African origin, and how did you overcome them?
Rejection has been a constant part of the journey. Stories led by people of African origin are still too often framed as “risky”, but I reject the idea that our stories are limited in their reach. My approach has been to build community – connecting with collaborators who share the same belief and are committed to expanding the landscape.
What advice would you give to aspiring African filmmakers aiming to share their stories on a global stage?
Learn to own the narrative around your work as much as the work itself. Be clear about why your story matters now and how it connects with a wide audience. That’s how stories travel.
MANGO just dropped on Disney+ across the UK and Europe, what does it mean to you to see this story reach audiences on this scale?
When you make a film like MANGO, you hope it finds the people who need to see it. To watch our film travel from the festival circuit into homes across the UK and Europe, where real conversations about fibroids can begin, feels powerful.
MANGO’s recent release on Disney+ is accompanied by significant industry recognition. According to Deadline, BAFTA-longlisted actor Wunmi Mosaku has joined the film as an executive producer, supporting the project as it launches across Europe. Written and directed by Joan Iyiola in her directorial debut, MANGO follows Zadie, a successful London florist living with fibroids, and explores the physical and emotional toll of a condition that affects millions of women worldwide but is often dismissed or minimised.
The film stars Olivia Nakintu as Zadie, alongside Danny Sapani and Paul Chahidi, and premiered earlier this year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival before its streaming release. In the interview, Mosaku describes MANGO as “a visceral and urgently needed film,” praising Iyiola’s ability to turn long-ignored women’s experiences into a story marked by bravery and humanity. Iyiola also reflects on the importance of advocacy and visibility, particularly as conversations around fibroids gain momentum through voices in film, fashion, and sport.
The full Deadline article explores the film’s journey, its growing impact, and the collaborative effort behind bringing MANGO to a wider audience. You can read it here.
