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How Nollywood Dominates Int’l Film Festival

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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.

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“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law

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In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)

The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.

The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.

Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.

The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.

The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.

Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.

The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.

While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.

According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.

Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.

“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.

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World Music Day: Alliance Française Port Harcourt Showcases Talents

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The Garden City of Rivers State Port Harcourt at the weekend joined other parts of the world to celebrate the World Music Day, 2025, as Alliance Française showcases talents.

The event which is internationally known as Fête de la musique was held at cultural hall of the Alliance Française was a remarkable concert with memorable experience.

The event brought together music lovers, students, Artistes and members of the community For an exciting evening live performances and cultural exchange.

The Tide Entertainment reports that the world Music Day, which was created 1982 in France by the then Minister of culture, Jack Lang, ‘ Fête de la Musique’ is now celebrated in more than 100 countries every 21st June, marking the first day of summer with free concerts and musical showcases in public spaces.

In Port Harcourt, the Alliance Française honoured the tradition by spotlighting four(4) emerging artistes offering a platform to young talents shaping the city’s contemporary scene.

The audience enjoyed an unforgettable moments as they were entertained by the powerful performances from Preach A, who is known for blending fitness culture with spoken words and rhythm.

Also, artiste Emmayany delivering a vibrant fusion of afrobeat and afro pop. A singer, song writer and a performing artiste with a distinct sound.

Others were Amarachy Uko, a sensational singer with passion for soul , R&B, pop music and afrobeat.

While DJ Prospel closed the night with an energetic DJ set that got the entire hall dancing.

Earlier, the Director, Alliance Française, Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal high lighted the mission of the Alliance Française saying that the event was more than a concert.

According to her, the event was put together by the Alliance Française to promote cultural diversity and foster artistic expression by connecting a long standing French tradition with creativity of the local music scene, adding that the event offerers an avenue for dialogue between culture and generations.

She stated that the event is used to promote professional and bring amateur artistes to limelight via the platform of the Alliance Française which is aimed at promoting the French Language through cultural heritage.

She explained that the celebration is also a broader series of Fête de la musique activities organized by the 10 Alliance Française across Nigeria in sync with concerts held in France and around the world simultaneously.

She further noted that the occasion reaffirms the role of Alliance Française as a cultural bridge, one where French heritage meets the pulses of Nigerian youth.

It would be recalled that no fewer than 19 artistes applied to perform at the event in Port Harcourt, but only four got approval for appearance.

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PMAN Set To Implement Performance Levy  ‘Tomorrow

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The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.

 

This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.

 

According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.

 

He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.

 

However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).

 

Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.

 

He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.

 

Nancy Briggs

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