Recent rumours of Netflix’s exit from Nigeria have been quashed by the streaming giant’s spokesperson, who stated plainly: “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our members.” While this statement might settle the controversy for some, others see it as a boilerplate. Regardless, it opens a broader conversation about Netflix’s evolving global strategy and its impact on Africa’s largest—and most chaotic—film market. Firstly, we must admit that the speculation wasn’t entirely unfounded. The viral speech from a usually coy Kunle Afolayan at the Zuma International Film Festival and recent trends prove this.…
Author: Ikeade
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In 2023, Mo Abudu made her directorial debut with two short films, Iyawo Mi and Her Perfect Life, under her new production banner, Mo Abudu Films. With Mo Abudu Films, she hopes to tell stories around more serious subject matters. The two films premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival and the out-of-competition Cannes Short Films Corner. Following these screenings, they had a brief theatrical release at EbonyLife Cinemas Lagos in October 2023 (though I missed seeing them due to their unexpected removal that day). In November 2024, the films became available for purchase on Apple TV and…
EXCLUSIVE: In the Shadows of Good Fortune has been selected for the 7th Atlas Workshops post-production lab at the Marrakech International Film Festival, taking place from December 1-5, 2024. This selection positions the film, directed and written by Babatunde Apalowo and produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, among a select group of projects receiving support in the final stages of production. While plot and cast details remain undisclosed, In the Shadows of Good Fortune is a collaboration between Apalowo’s Polymath Pictures and Lala Akindoju’s The Make It Happen Production Company, with co-production support from Nkechi Okere, Jamiu Shoyode, and Oludara Egerton-Shyngle.…
The first poster for This is Love, an upcoming Nigerian documentary directed by Victor Ugoo Njoku and Neec Nonso, has been officially unveiled. The poster launch comes ahead of the documentary’s release, which delves into the intimate lives of three LGBTQ+ couples in Nigeria as they navigate love and relationships in a country where same-sex relationships remain criminalized under the 2014 Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA). The minimalist teaser poster directs attention to the documentary’s title, suggesting that it will highlight personal and intimate LGBTQ+ stories and communicate a universal message of love. The logline reads, “This is Love tells…
The Kenyan-Nigerian film project 1 Woman, 1 Bra, produced by Nigerian filmmaker Josh Olaoluwa (GRIND) and directed by Kenyan filmmaker Vincho Nchogu, has been selected as one of twelve projects to participate in the 13th edition of Biennale College Cinema 2024/25. Announced during the 81st Venice International Film Festival, this marks the only African project in the program. The Biennale College Cinema, an advanced training lab for filmmakers, provides an opportunity for directors and producers to develop and refine their low-budget film projects. From October 8 to 17, 2024, the 1 Woman, 1 Bra team will participate in a 10-day…
Nollywood Film Club is not only about critical assessments of the most widely distributed film of the weekend. Occasionally, when these releases dry up, the hosts have to get creative with more formats. In this September episode of the Nollywood Film Club, members dive into a face-off between the directorial debuts of two iconic Nollywood actors: Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart and Ramsey Nouah’s Living in Bondage: Breaking Free. Through comparisons in performances, story, production, and overall appeal, the strengths and weaknesses of the films are assessed. While Lionheart is appreciated for its simplicity and authenticity, Living in Bondage won the majority…
In a bid to keep up the spirits after a beautiful outing with With Difficulty Comes Ease, Nollywood Film Club decided to spill their hearts out with opinions only very few might agree with. In August, Nollywood Film Club also discussed Korede Azeez’s With Difficulty Comes Ease, South Africa’s Big Nunu’s Little Heist, and Ramsey Nouah’s Tokunbo. “What a Journey it Was!”: Nollywood Film Club Discusses ‘Oloture’ Series Here’s a recap of that week’s hilarious session of hot takes. 1. Vanessa believes Mercy Johnson is not a good actress. Also, all the Africa Magic shows have been subpar since Riona,…
Temi Ami-Williams (Eyimofe) stars in The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos, described as a part thriller, part magical realism telling a story about the government’s forced evictions of informal settlements. A debut from Nigeria’s Agbajowo Collective, the film will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 Centrepiece program, formerly known as Contemporary World Cinema, alongside 43 film selections from 41 countries. The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos tells the story of a young mother from a waterfront slum in Lagos who stumbles upon a horde of corrupt blood-money earmarked for a luxury estate to be built…
After WKMUp’s break in July, we return to recapping the thoughts of the self-professed professional yappers of Nollywood. In July, Nollywood Film Club discussed Kenneth Gyang’s Oloture: The Journey, Uche Jombo’s Onye Egwu, Bolanle Austen-Peters’ House of Ga’a and did a half year review. The Biggest Questions Around The Past and Present of Nollywood Male Characters According to Nollywood Film Club Here’s a summary of the club’s brief session on Oloture: The Journey, a sequel series that left everyone with questions! My key lesson: our incapacity is always on full display when we decide to go bigger. The original film…
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee for the Oscars opens the call for entries for the 97th Academy Awards, from August 1-30, 2024. With the announcement posted on the committee’s official Instagram page, new members have also been unveiled. The new voting members of the 16-person committee include Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC); Blessing Effiom Egbe, producer-director known for Lekki Wives; Ijeoma Grace Agu, actress known for Swallow; Kene Okwuosa, Co-Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Filmhouse Cinemas; and Victor Akande, Journalist, Author, and Film Critic. As the October 2, 2024 international feature film submission…