Sometimes, filmmakers find inspiration in real-life people and events, and the rare Nollywood biopic is born. These projects, listed in this article, stand out from the numerous pure comedies and dramas put out each year, because they are rooted in reality, with actual people at their heart. I have also taken the liberty to include documentaries that touch on notable figures who have shaped our society. Here are 15 Nollywood biopics and documentaries you should know about: Ayinla Ayinla (2021) follows the life of famed Apala musician, Waidi Ayinla “Omowura” Yusuf (1933–1980), his untimely death at the hands of his…
Author: Oluwatomisin Olorunfemi
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There is a brilliant tale of light and electrical expertise behind every scene in Nollywood’s most impactful projects which the audience doesn’t always get to hear. Who better to tell this story than someone who is recognized as one of the best in the field? With two consecutive AMVCA wins in the Best Lighting Designer category, and an ARRI lighting Ambassadorship in his bag, Matthew “Matolight” Yusuf is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in Nigeria’s lighting and electrical design scene. Besides working on blockbusters like Brotherhood (2022), Ayinla (2021), Juju Stories (2021), The Griot (2021), Finding Hubby, and Rattlesnake:…
What makes a film a box office hit? Nigerian filmmakers have been trying to solve this puzzle since the colonial 1920s, with projects that straddle the line between widespread popularity and critical acclaim. Using the industry’s unique template – a blend of storytelling, comedy, and vibes – they are sometimes able to create projects that remain on people’s lips for many years. But not all these ventures draw crowds to the cinemas. Popularity is one thing, and money is another. Yet, some films have managed to crack the code by striking the balance and becoming box office sensations. 2018 Nollywood…
You may know Waliu Fagbemi from movies like Strangers (2022), Prophetess (2021), Deal or No Deal (2021), Progressive Tailors’ Club (2021), Sugar Rush (2019), Elevator Baby (2019), and King of Boys Part 1 (2018). But as a casting director and talent agent, he has also worked behind the scenes on blockbuster projects like Domitilla: The Reboot (2023), Brotherhood (2022), Ile Owo (2022), and Passport (2022), to mention a few. In this edition of Nollywood’s Hidden Men and Women, the actor, talent agent, and casting director speaks on his Nollywood experience and gives us a peek behind the curtains, breaking down…
Kelechi “The Performer” Udegbe is a multiple award-winning actor and producer, whose work span film to TV, in projects like Officer Titus (2013–2017), Collision Course (2021), The Black Book (2023), The Trade (2023), and The Herbert Macaulay Affair (2019), among others. Recently, he portrayed the lynchpin character of Jabi in C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s critically-acclaimed Mami Wata, a black-and-white fantasy film in which he served as one of the executive producers, a bold move miles ahead of his humble beginnings. “I was very shy as a child,” the actor first reveals about his Nollywood experience, in an exclusive interview with WKMUp.…
Recent years have seen a notable rise in the number of Nigerian originals on Netflix. From creative endeavors put forward by veteran filmmakers to releases by newer players in the industry, these original movies and series fall into different genres with varying lengths. Each one also plays an important role in the creative effort to bring Naija to the world, for better or worse. Here are the Top 10 Highest Rated Nigerian Netflix Original Titles, according to IMDb users: 10. A Sunday Affair (4.6/10) Walter Taylaur’s A Sunday Affair (2023) puts the lifelong friendship between Toyin (Dakore Akande) and Uche…
Anikulapo is an intriguing period drama directed by Kunle Afolayan that follows the adventures of Saro (Kunle Remi), an aspiring Aso Oke weaver in 17th-century Yorubaland. Anikulapo captured the audience’s attention with its culturally rich story, host of characters and outstanding set design. Within two short weeks of its release, it topped Netflix’s global chart – as the most viewed Non-English original – with nearly 9 million views (subsequently, the production of a four-part sequel series titled Anikulapo: Rise of the Sceptre was officially announced in May). Kunle Afolayan Announces Next Netflix Project, ‘IJOGBON’, a Coming of Age Family Adventure…
This article is updated frequently to reflect new information and announced details. Nollywood filmmakers are pushing the boundaries of what stories they are telling and how. One of those ways is through the telling and retelling of stories from the past, fictional and non-fictional alike. When it comes to the modern-day retelling of Nollywood classics, no one has been as prolific as Play Network Studios. With quite a number of titles under their belt already (Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019), Nneka the Pretty Serpent (2020), RattleSnake: The Ahanna Story (2020), Aki and Pawpaw (2021) and Glamour Girls (2022)), Play…