Tell Us A Little About Yourself…
My name is King Davies Osazenomwen Notie Dogbe. I am a bilingual actor, producer and writer born in Vicenza, Italy. I spent part of my early childhood in Benin City, Nigeria, where I was cared for by Christian caretakers while my mother navigated a challenging period for our family. Those years grounded me in faith, resilience and community. I returned to Italy at five carrying a cultural duality that continues to shape my artistic voice.
Having grown up between Nigeria and Italy, and now working in the United Kingdom, I have always lived between worlds. I trained at the University of Northampton and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Salford. As an actor, I have appeared in The Irregulars and The Confession of Frannie Langton. I am also the founder of Dupe Origin Productions, A production inspired by my Mother, where I develop bold, psychologically driven stories exploring ambition, migration, identity and legacy. I am building work that is culturally rooted and globally resonant.
What inspired you to become a filmmaker, and how has your heritage influenced your work?
DUPE.
My greatest inspiration has been my mother. Watching her navigate difficulty with strength and dignity shaped my understanding of resilience and sacrifice. Her journey taught me that struggle can produce vision, and that faith and perseverance are not abstract ideas but daily practices.
Storytelling grew from lived experience. Moving between cultures made me deeply observant of people, silence and unspoken tension. Acting opened the door, but filmmaking allows me to shape the full vision.
My Nigerian heritage instilled resilience, spirituality and responsibility. My European upbringing gave me structure and global awareness. Together they inform stories that are grounded in African identity yet universal in scope. I am drawn to themes of ambition, displacement, faith and transformation, and I believe African stories can be intimate, psychological and world shaping.
What challenges have you faced as a filmmaker of African origin, and how did you overcome them?
The greatest challenge has been perception. There are often expectations about what African creatives should represent. I chose not to internalise those limits.
Building across countries has required resilience and patience. Training, access and opportunity are rarely straightforward. I invested in craft, built strong collaborations and remained consistent, even when resources were limited. I focus on longevity over speed and on building something sustainable.
What advice would you give to aspiring African filmmakers aiming to share their stories on a global stage?
Do not dilute your identity. Specificity creates universality. Master your craft, commit to discipline and build community.
Think globally from the beginning. African stories deserve space not as exceptions, but as standards of excellence.
