The Nigeria movie industry popularly known as Nollywood made a historic outing to showcase some of Nigeria’s best films: ’93 Days’, ‘The Bridge’ and ‘Isoken’ at Hollywood in Los Angeles. Thousands of Hollywood tourists from all over the world were held spell bound over the weekend by the spectacular Nollywood in Hollywood event.
The event started on Friday at the Egyptian Threatre with a star studded red carpet highlighted by the film makers and actors in the films to showcase ’93 Days’, ‘The Bridge’ and ‘Isoken’. “The inaugural Nollywood in Hollywood event was the biggest cultural showcase for Nigerians outside the country in decasdes”, the organizers said.
“Nollywood artistes also used the platform to promote Nigeria’s talents and called for co-productions and technical cooperation between Nollywood and Hollywood”.
The moderator for the opening night film and chairman of the African-American steering committee of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Mr Jeff Byrd praised the ingenuity of Nollywood.
“Nollywood seems so faraway, but there is some curiosity. This is a great event for Hollywood to know more about the Nigerian cinema, the film tonight (93 Days) is an excellent film, a really good piece. There are conversations to be heard, example, how can we make it possible for people like Steve Gukas and good Nollywood film makers to be a part of the DGA”, he said.
Saturday’s screening was at the reputable Eileen Norris Theatre inside the University of Southern California (USC). The theatre which has hosted films by reputable USC alumni including Ryan Cooglar of the ‘Black Panther’, George Lucas, John Singleton, Bryan Singer and Shonda Rhimes among others was now playing host to Nigeria films.
A late arriving crows saw the matinee screening of the Bridge on Saturday after which its’ director, Kunle Afolanya held the packed audience to an engaging question and answer session. As dusk approached, a standing room only crowd saw the final film on the showcase ‘Isoken’, whose theme and subject matter engaged the crowd. Actress Dakore Egbuson Akande had a very colourful and stimulating question and answer session with Nigerian American film maker, Ose Oyamendan after the screening.
In a panel on Nollywood, the Nigerian film makers made a point of letting the Hollywood audience and decision makers know that Nollywood grew without government support. The Nollywood practitioners also regretted the lack of the Nigerian government’s presence at the biggest cultural showcase for Nigeria outside the country for decades.