Michael A. Fadugbagbe (faa·du·baag·beɪ) is a filmmaker,
artist, & cultural organizer based in New York.

Fadugbagbe (Yorùbá for unforgettable) discovered film in early childhood
from Nollywood DVDss sold at his local African market.

He is the founder of The Counter Canon, where he curates in-person and virtual events
that platform and study cultural artifacts across the African diaspora overlooked by the traditional canon.

The Horse in Motion, 1887

His experimental short film “E BE SO!” screened in the African Film Festival and was jury nominated
for Best Experimental film at NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth).

A filmmaker visits Nigeria for the first time
since his parents' emigration 22 years prior
and reflects on the Nigerian 1993 election
crisis, colonial history, and repatriation.

Fadugbagbe’s student short film WATERBOY, inspired by his freshman year experience as football manager
at a top New England boarding school, was produced exclusively with crowdfunding and organically garned
over 175k views across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

One day before playing the best team in their Conference,
the worst high school football team in the state of Connecticut
must choose between the brutish strategy of their coach
or the chaotic one of their waterboy.

He is the founder of The Counter Canon, a Pan-African decolonial cultural organization dedicated
to the preservation and study of underrepresented & overlooked artists across the African diaspora.

He holds a BA in Studio Art from Wesleyan University where he graduated with High Honors
and the Jessup Prize, awarded to the undergraduate deemed to show the greatest talent
and promise for even greater excellence in art.

In all his work he seeks to heal souls and feed minds.

“e be so!” thesis installation, 2025

For all inquires: michaelfadugbagbe@gmail.com

Michael A. Fadugbagbe (faa·du·baag·beɪ) is a filmmaker, artist, & cultural organizer based in New York. Fadugbagbe (Yorùbá for unforgettable) discovered film in early childhood from Nollywood DVDss sold at his local African market.

He is the founder of The Counter Canon, where he curates in-person and virtual events that platform and study cultural artifacts across the African diaspora overlooked by the traditional canon.

His experimental short film “E BE SO!” screened in the African Film Festival and was jury nominated for Best Experimental film at NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth).

Fadugbagbe’s student short film WATERBOY, inspired by his freshman year experience as football manager at a top New England boarding school, was produced exclusively with crowdfunding and organically garned over 175k views across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

He is the founder of The Counter Canon, a Pan-African decolonial cultural organization dedicated to the preservation and study of underrepresented & overlooked artists across the African diaspora.