Lagos-based film production and distribution company Trino Motion Pictures has appointed former Paramount Pictures executive and venture capitalist Richard Aseme to its advisory board.
The appointment comes as the Nigerian studio approaches its 10th anniversary and accelerates its strategy to secure international partnerships, financing and global market expansion.
Aseme brings more than 20 years of experience in global film distribution to the role, having previously served as Co-Head of EMEA at Paramount Pictures. A voting member of BAFTA, he also holds senior roles in fintech and emerging technology, currently heading global fintech venture investments at DCG.
The appointment follows several international distribution milestones for the studio. Trino recently secured licensing deals for its psychological thriller The Weekend with HBO Max across Central and Eastern Europe, and with Canal+ across more than 60 French-speaking territories. The film also made history in 2024 as the first independently produced Nigerian feature to premiere at the Tribeca Festival.
Managing Director of Trino Motion Pictures, Uche Okocha, stated that the company has spent recent years building a foundation across production and international distribution.
“This is a pivotal moment for Trino. We’ve spent the last few years building a strong foundation across production and international distribution, and we’re now looking at how we scale that more intentionally,” he said. He added that Aseme’s combination of studio experience and investment insight would be critical as the company explores new growth models and expands into new markets.
Aseme noted that there is a clear opportunity for African production companies to operate within the international ecosystem rather than strictly as regional players, expressing his intent to support Trino’s transition into its next phase of growth.
“What’s compelling about Trino is not just the slate, but the ambition behind it. There is a clear opportunity for production companies emerging from Africa to operate globally, not as regional players, but as part of the international ecosystem. Trino is already moving in that direction, and I’m excited to support that next phase,” he said.
Trino Motion Pictures has produced a diverse catalogue of feature films, including Sylvia, Three Thieves, and Love Lockdown. The company’s projects are currently distributed globally across cinemas, in-flight entertainment and streaming platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, Showmax, among others.