The Origin
Dupe Origin Productions was created to honour the extraordinary life of Dupe Okundaye, a woman whose journey across continents, conflict, and survival became the foundation of a new generation of storytelling.
Born in Edo State, Nigeria, Dupe endured the turmoil of the Nigerian Civil War, displacement, and loss, forging a resilience that would carry her through Libya, Yugoslavia, Italy, and eventually the United Kingdom.
From imprisonment to escape, survival became the foundation of her legacy. In Italy, she gave birth to her son, King Davies Dogbe, transforming hardship into love, motherhood, and hope.
Dupe Origin Productions exists to preserve stories like hers. stories of migration, resilience, sacrifice, identity, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. What began with one woman’s journey became a cinematic
vision rooted in truth, memory, and legacy.
The Founder
King Davies Osazenomwen Notie Dogbe is a bilingual actor, producer and writer. Born in Vicenza, Italy, he spent part of his early childhood in Benin City, Nigeria, where he was cared for by Christian caretakers while his mother navigated a challenging period for the family. He returned to Italy at age five, carrying the resilience and cultural grounding of those formative years.
Trained in the Lee Strasberg Method, King draws on personal experience and emotional memory to deliver authentic, emotionally layered performances. Hailing from a large Nigerian family, his grandfather was a respected trader with fifteen wives. His mother, the daughter of the seventh wife, later raised five children independently, instilling discipline, determination, and values that continue to shape King’s life and work.
A passionate advocate for African storytelling, King is the founder of Dupe Origin Productions, a company inspired by his mother and devoted to socially conscious, culturally resonant narratives. His work bridges cultures, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and legacy.
Continuing his evolution as a filmmaker, King’s work In The Shadows 75 received recognition at the Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions in Manchester,
further establishing his voice as an emerging storyteller with a deeply personal cinematic perspective
Style of Work
King is especially drawn to stories that delve into the complexities of human emotion, focusing on themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. For King, storytelling is an opportunity to reflect on the raw, unfiltered truths of the human experience, offering an authentic lens through which audiences can connect with characters and narratives on a deeper level.
His aim is to continue creating works that resonate with real-life struggles and explore the often painful realities of the human condition. The success of his debut film is a testament to his unique approach to storytelling, showcasing his ability to craft compelling narratives that speak to the heart.
Meet The Team
Marcos Dogbe
Assistant
Marcos Dogbe is the Assistant Founder of Dupe Origin Productions, supporting the company’s logistics and development through financial investments. As the younger brother of founder King Davies Dogbe, Marcos has witnessed firsthand the struggles and resilience that inspired the company’s vision and storytelling.
He graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Sport Physiotherapy and is currently studying Occupational Therapy at the University of Derby.
Susanna Iriele
Assistant
Susanna Iriele is the Assistant Founder and key funder at Dupe Origin Productions, playing an essential role in supporting the company’s development through both financial investment and production oversight. She has helped fund much of the company’s equipment and production needs,
She graduated from the University of Northampton with a degree in Accounting and Finance, bringing strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of financial management to the production team.
Her role extends into business affairs and production support, where she helps maintain structure, accountability, and financial stability across projects.
Nathanael Bonsu
Production Manager
Nathanael Bonsu is the Production Manager at Dupe Origin Productions, overseeing the operational and creative coordination of projects from development through to completion. He ensures productions run efficiently by managing schedules, logistics, team communication, and on-set organisation, helping translate creative vision into structured and deliverable outcomes.
He graduated from the University of Chester with a degree in International Business Management, bringing a strong foundation in organisation, strategy, and project coordination to his role.
Emmanuel Idada
Business Affairs (Legal)
Emmanuel Idada is the Business Affairs and Legal representative at Dupe Origin Productions, responsible for managing contracts, rights, and protecting the company’s intellectual property and assets. He ensures all legal and business agreements are handled with accuracy, professionalism, and compliance, safeguarding the company’s creative work.
He is an Accounting and Finance graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University, with a strong background in finance and business operation which brings adaptability and a global perspective to his work.
Anthony Martins
Visual and Costume Artist
Anthony Martins is the Visual Effects and Post-Production Lead at Dupe Origin Productions, overseeing visual effects, post-production visuals, and cinematic consistency across the company’s projects.
He graduated from the University of Cambridge Business School, bringing a strong foundation in organisation, creative strategy, and professional discipline to the production team.
Anthony is also involved in costume and creative styling, contributing to the overall aesthetic direction of projects.
Zubayr Zubayr
Associate Producer and Director
Zubayr Zubayr, officially known as Zubairu Zubairu, is an award-winning Director, Writer, Founder of Adukè Films and Associate Producer at Dupe Origin Productions, contributing to both the creative and production development of the company’s projects.
His work often incorporates supernatural elements and emotionally complex character journeys, creating immersive cinematic experiences for audiences. He graduated in Filmmaking from the University of Salford and is an award-winning director, recognised for directing In The Shadows 75, which won Best Director at Lift-Off Manchester 2026. Zubayr is also a key financial supporter of Dupe Origin Productions, contributing significantly toward company equipment and production development.
Emily Clewes
Associate Costume Designer
Emily Clewes is an Associate Costume Designer at Dupe Origin Productions, contributing to the visual identity and creative styling of the company’s productions. A talented costume designer and graduate of the University of Salford, she has worked on every project produced by the company, playing a consistent role in shaping the aesthetic and authenticity of each production.
Known for her creativity, attention to detail, and strong understanding of character presentation through costume, Emily brings professionalism and artistic vision to every set she works on. Her credits include Sting (2025), Before the voice 5.3, and CBeebies Panto: Beauty and the Beast (2024), reflecting her growing experience across film and television productions.
Tom Bridger
Associate Producer
Tom Bridger is an Associate Producer at Dupe Origin Productions, a graduate of the University of Salford with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film. He originally came into contact with the company through his role as a coordinating producer, where he contributed to the delivery and organisation of production workflows on the award-winning short film In the Shadows 75. His background in film production and hands-on industry experience has supported his development into producing roles within the company. Tom continues to work across production management and creative coordination, contributing to Dupe Origin Productions’ growing slate of film and television projects.