Entertainment
How Nollywood Dominates Int’l Film Festival
From million-dollar budgets to Netflix partnerships , Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, has burgeoned in the past decade. Nollywood films have dominated international film festivals, making the industry a creative force to be reckoned with.
But with more movies being made abroad, funded by foreign investors or directed by Africans in the diaspora, it’s no wonder there’s a growing debate in and outside the industry on what exactly counts as a Nollywood movie today.
“It’s not a term that’s as simply defined,” said 31-year-old Nigerian-American filmmaker, Faraday Okoro . “One person’s criteria may be different from the next.”
Okoro is the writer and director of the heist thriller, Nigerian Prince, the first movie to win the AT&T/Tribeca “Untold Stories” initiative, an inclusive film programme run by AT&T and the Tribeca Film Institute that helps diverse filmmakers and awards $1 million in funding to the winning script.
Nigerian Prince with its diasporan lens and plot about the notorious 419 phenomena, particularly the popular email scam that targets Westerners, represents an emerging crop of movies that are expanding the scope and definition of the Nollywood film. For Okoro, the movie, like him, has a dual citizenship because despite its foreign funding, Nigerian Prince was set mainly in Lagos with a majority Nollywood cast, except for its leading stars, the African-American Antonio Bell who plays a Nigerian-American, Eze, and the Nigerian-American, Chinaza Uche.
In the past, the term Nollywood did not just refer to a direct-to-video filmmaking industry but also the guerilla filmmaking process where movies were made with any tools available. Nollywood has since matured into a million-dollar industry. It is today featuring both the low-budget movies that paved the way for its success and high-budget ones, made locally and abroad, that signal its future.
And that future is looking increasingly bright owing to the growth of Nollywood’s two sizable markets: Africans on the continent and Africans in the diaspora, with the latter wielding more economic power than the former on a per capita basis, especially as more Africans migrate to the West. The diaspora’s financial clout is evident in their high remittances back to the continent , estimated at $37.8 billion in 2017. And the rising appetite among Africans back home can be seen in investments in movie theatres and calls for more.
Nollywood was built on the idea of Nigerians telling Nigerian stories for Nigerians, and that broadened to storytelling by Africans for Africans as Nollywood collaborated with and recruited talents from other parts of the continent. As such, through its filmmaking process and range of stories, the industry has long reflected the live experiences of its audience, thus necessitating its wider definition today.
One particular trait that is endemic to the industry is the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit and that is seen in the evolution of distribution channels from the inexpensive VHS tapes and players to movies on low grade video-CDs and now to streaming platforms such as irokotv, SceneOneTV, Netflix and YouTube; all of which allow Africans in the diaspora with better internet connectivity to access them.
For this fast-adapting industry, evolution is also about responding to the demands and realities of globalisation as the industry sets its distribution sights beyond the West, seizing opportunities wherever they rise. China-based Pay-TV operator StarTimes, for instance, is working with movie distributors in China to export Nollywood content to the Chinese market.
“Nollywood isn’t looking into getting into Hollywood. They’re more interested in their work getting beyond the shores of Nigeria…and to get some monies back for the industry,” explains Shaibu Husseini, a Nigerian Nollywood film critic and jury member of the African Movie Academy Awards.
Contrary to other film critics who see the emergence of high-quality cinema from Nigeria as a deviation from an old “stigmatized” Nollywood or the rise of a “new Nollywood,” Husseini asserts it is simply an inevitable evolution with the times as the idea of Nollywood grows into an umbrella term for films produced by Nigerians.
Husseini says an entirely Nollywood film is a movie by a Nigeria-based filmmaker, produced and shot on the continent with a relatable narrative, predominantly Nigerian cast and local/industry-driven funding.
Nonetheless, films like Nigerian Prince by diaspora-based Nigerians will still get due recognition back home. Africa-based awards like AMAA have special categories for diaspora films and storytellers. This addresses any concerns from domestic filmmakers regarding competing with non-local players in the industry on an uneven playing field.
Entertainment
Stephanie Linus, First Black Recipient Of Lennox K. Black Prize
The Lennox K. Black International Prize for Excellence in Medicine is a prestigious accolade awarded by Thomas Jefferson University, recognising outstanding individuals.
The actress was honoured with the Lennox K. Black International Prize for Excellence in Medicine by Thomas Jefferson University in America in recognition of her outstanding contributions to social activism and impact through her work.
This remarkable achievement, they said, highlights her dedication to societal well-being and marks her as the first Black recipient of this distinguished award.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the Lennox K. Black International Prize for Excellence in Medicine is a prestigious accolade awarded by Thomas Jefferson University, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to the medical field, promoting scientific discovery and advancements.
Named after Lennox K. Black, a Canadian manufacturing executive known for his philanthropic efforts and service on various boards, including Thomas Jefferson University, the prize celebrates excellence in medical innovation and global contribution to health and medicine.
The actress is renowned for her activism and impactful work in areas concerning women’s health and rights, including her efforts to combat issues like fistula and gender-based violence.
According to the award organisers she has been instrumental in bringing about social change through her films and campaigns. They added that her work extends beyond borders, affecting lives and policies internationally, embodying the spirit of the Lennox K. Black International Prize.
On receiving the award, Stephanie expressed her gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to using her platform for social good.
“This recognition goes beyond me; it is for all the women and girls fighting for a healthier, safer world. It amplifies our message and our work. It strengthens my resolve to continue advocating for gender equality, social justice, and improved maternal and reproductive health in Africa,” she said
Susan Aldunge, Interim President of Thomas Jefferson University, admired the actress, saying, ‘‘Your ability to educate while humbly addressing the cultural obstacles impeding progress for young women is commendable. Your intelligent, personal take on the necessary human rights changes has deeply impacted all lucky to encounter you. Congratulations once more on this well-deserved award and the acknowledgement of your efforts.’”
Ms Aldunge further said that Thomas Jefferson University, a leader in medical education and research, hosts the award to underscore its mission of improving lives through innovation in health care.
‘‘The university is proud to honour Stephanie Linus, whose work aligns with Jefferson’s values of creativity, collaboration, and compassion in pursuing excellence in medicine and beyond.
“Awarding the Lennox K. Black International Prize to Stephanie Linus celebrates her achievements and signals a broader recognition of the importance of social activism in medicine and health,” she added.
“Her pioneering efforts continue to inspire and effect change, paving the way for a healthier, more equitable world’’.
Stephanie, who was named Chairperson of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Best International Feature Film (IFF) category of the Oscars in August 2023, is best known for her 2015 advocacy movie ‘Dry’, which tells the story of a 13-year-old girl whose parents marry her off to a 60-year-old man, with devastating consequences.
Entertainment
‘I’ll Continue To Ask For My Balance’ – Phyna reacts.
Ilebaye’s revelation came just after Phyna had publicly called out the organizers for withholding some of her prizes.
Phyna, who revealed this to Newsmen insinuated that Ilebaye broke the gender code by announcing that she got her full prize money.
She also stressed that she would continue to demand for her balance, stating that she worked hard for the money during the show’s 72-day duration.
“I believe I should at least get what I worked so hard for 72 days. You all suddenly remembered your alert screenshots and IG Live………… Common……one among others is 1BTC which is over 80m in today’s market.
“To those who got their money in full
I’m happy for you. As a poor man’s child, let me ask for my money and other items remaining.,” She added.
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