Old Nollywood has come and gone, but is it truly gone? One might ask. Old Nollywood is a living, breathing art form rooted deep in the entertainment and fashion industry. Tributes, homages, and creative nods continue to honour its legacy, and Nollybabes is the latest to join that tradition. With the release of its official poster, the short film offers a first look into a story of sisterhood, survival, and taking back power.
Set in the heart of early-2000s Lagos, Nollybabes’ logline reads, “After another failed audition, a rising Nollywood star and her two best friends try to con a sleazy director to fund their own film.
The film stars Uzoamaka Power fka. Aniunoh (Mami Wata) as Tiwa, Tomi Ojo (Far From Home) as Chi-Chi, and Osereme Inegbenebor (Baby Farm) as Esther. Taye Arimoro (Casa De Novia) portrays the male director, while veteran actress Linda Ejiofor (The Meeting) plays the director’s imposing wife.
Nollybabes is directed by Anu Bamidele, a Nigerian-American filmmaker whose previous short film Toxic was a finalist at the Essence Film Festival and won Best Romantic Comedy at the Atlanta Women’s Comedy Festival. She also worked on visual effects for Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World. Bamidele’s works focus on stories of female empowerment and cultural identity.
“I’ve been to auditions that made me feel uncomfortable, defeated and foolish by making my own short films. I’ve been able to take back creative control and empower myself again as an artist,” director Bamidele says in a statement. “In Nollybabes, we watch a group of three best friends come together for their own goals and take power back into their hands. I hope to leave audience members feeling inspired once they exit this full ride of a short film.”
The film is produced by Wingonia Ikpi, known for her work on Ijakumo, Bank Alert, and television series such as Tinsel and Halita. Credited as DOP is Nora Awolowo, who worked on Lisabi and the upcoming Red Circle.
An interesting point to note is that the upcoming short film will have a highly female-led team working in front and behind the cameras to pay tribute to an era audiences feel strongly for. The release date for Nollybabes is expected to follow soon.
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