Dolapo Oni Plays Bolanle in a UK Stage Adaptation of ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’
Monday, 30 November 2015
Chiwetel to receive ‘Richard Harris Award’ at 2016 BIFAs
Actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor will receive the Richard Harris prize at the upcoming BIFAs in December. The “12 Years A Slave” actor will receive this year’s British Independent Film Awards’ Richard Harris Award.
The award which was introduced in 2002 in honour of the legendary Richard Harris, is usually given in recognition of outstanding contribution to British film by an actor. The actor will receive the award for his exceptional service to the film industry on December 6, during the ceremony.
Previous winners include John Hurt, David Thewlis, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Julie Walters andEmma Thompson.
Lilian Esoro bags endorsement deal
Just few days after a member of the triple MG was announced as the Cross Rivers Festival carnival Ambassador, newly married Nollywood actress, Lilian Esoro-Franklin has equally signed her first endorsement deal, few weeks after her wedding to Made Men Music Group (MMMG).
The clinic matter star is now the Brand Ambassador of House of Lunettes; a premium store for designer sunglasses.
Wife & Son of Nollywood Actor Attacked In Traffic (Photo)
Here’s his account of the terrible incident.
#ALL WE WANT IS SECURITY
It’s so sad how we sit down and watch these armed robbers attack and terrorize innocent people on daily basis .. My wife and son were attacked around mile 2 in traffic and the bastards dint care if a baby was in the car , smashing the screen all over my 5 months old son snatching a hand bag and phone (which in this case wasn’t such a big deal) but when this becomes a daily routine we really beginning to question our security.. Are we safe .. ?Tomorrow morning I am pretty sure I will wake up to another news of these bastards taking things from people in traffic . Please Lagos State, we love you so much we ,moved here to hustle , make a living and live in peace , happiness and security is something we have a fully right to demand for as citizens! This must stop! My wife and son are safe that’s my only joy right now. Jesus is Lord |
| AMEN OO more photos  |
Nollywood's money can’t feed my children - Actress
The Abuja-based actress, who recently added another year to her age, explained she decided to relocate to the state from Lagos because of her clothing line business.
She expressed that her style of cloths are meant for ladies in Abuja and that prompted her to relocate so as to be able to monitor things.
“I relocated from Lagos to Abuja because of my business. My clothing line was suited for women of the north and that is why I relocated to Abuja. I make long dresses and my target is Abuja women,” she said.
On whether the move has affected her career, the actress disclosed that nothing of such has happened as she will still go to movie locations even at the age of 80 and will still be able to play various roles.
She added that if she had relied on money made from acting to feed the children, it wouldn’t have taken her anywhere.
“My move has not affected my career as an actress. Even when I am 80 years old, I can still play various roles. If I relied on Nollywood, I would not be able to feed these children. My relocation has nothing to do with Nollywood. Even if I was still in Lagos, I would have still faced my business till it could stand on its own. The movie is always there and the roles still keep coming in,” she told Punch.
HMMMMMM OKEY OOOOO
I will ask God when to get married - Nollywood actress
Nollywood actress Empress Njamah in a recent interview says she will ask God when she will get married.
In her interview with The Punch, she said that she will also ask God when she will have her own kids.
“If I had the opportunity to see God, I would ask him when I would get married and have kids of my own” she said.
Also in the interview, Empress Njamah revealed why she relocated to Abuja from Lagos.
According to her, she moved to Lagos because of her clothing business.
“I relocated from Lagos to Abuja because of my business. My clothing line was suited for women of the north and that is why I relocated to Abuja. I make long dresses and my target is Abuja women” she said.
“My move has not affected my career as an actress. Even when I am 80 years old, I can still play various roles. If I relied on Nollywood, I would not be able to feed these children. My relocation has nothing to do with Nollywood. Even if I was still in Lagos, I would have still faced my business till it could stand on its own. The movie is always there and the roles still keep coming in” she further said.
In the interview, she also spoke about her foundation which helps kids.
“Officially my foundation is 10 years old but I started the initiative when I was in secondary school to celebrate my birthday. When I was able to stand on my own I was able to float the foundation, Empress Njama Foundation.
It is against my nature to take funds from people so I do everything with my money. I usually have celebrations with less-privileged kids on my birthday and every festive celebration like Valentine’s Day, October 1st, etc. I started in Lagos and I came back to Lagos after being in Abuja for six years to celebrate a decade of founding my foundation.
“I am so happy that most of the children have grown and are doing very well. Sometimes I find it difficult to carry on but God has always been faithful at the end. I built four blocks of classrooms for the children because I know that most of these children are very intelligent especially the blind ones.
In her interview with The Punch, she said that she will also ask God when she will have her own kids.
“If I had the opportunity to see God, I would ask him when I would get married and have kids of my own” she said.
Also in the interview, Empress Njamah revealed why she relocated to Abuja from Lagos.
According to her, she moved to Lagos because of her clothing business.
“I relocated from Lagos to Abuja because of my business. My clothing line was suited for women of the north and that is why I relocated to Abuja. I make long dresses and my target is Abuja women” she said.
“My move has not affected my career as an actress. Even when I am 80 years old, I can still play various roles. If I relied on Nollywood, I would not be able to feed these children. My relocation has nothing to do with Nollywood. Even if I was still in Lagos, I would have still faced my business till it could stand on its own. The movie is always there and the roles still keep coming in” she further said.
In the interview, she also spoke about her foundation which helps kids.
“Officially my foundation is 10 years old but I started the initiative when I was in secondary school to celebrate my birthday. When I was able to stand on my own I was able to float the foundation, Empress Njama Foundation.
It is against my nature to take funds from people so I do everything with my money. I usually have celebrations with less-privileged kids on my birthday and every festive celebration like Valentine’s Day, October 1st, etc. I started in Lagos and I came back to Lagos after being in Abuja for six years to celebrate a decade of founding my foundation.
“I am so happy that most of the children have grown and are doing very well. Sometimes I find it difficult to carry on but God has always been faithful at the end. I built four blocks of classrooms for the children because I know that most of these children are very intelligent especially the blind ones.
Thursday, 26 November 2015
How well do you know Nollywood veteran producers?
How long have you been a fan of Nollywood? How well do you remember our veteran film producers? Take this quiz and prove your knowledge.
From the inception of Nollywood, we have had lots of talented filmmakers who have presented us with lots of classics.
How long have you been a fan of Nollywood? How well do you remember our veteran film producers? Take this quiz and prove your knowledge.
Check answers below;
1. Who produced the classic "Living in Bondage?"
a) Kenneth Nnebue
b) Chris Obi Rapu
c) Andy Amenechi
d) Don Pedro Obaseki
2. Who produced the popular "Domitilla?"
a) Zeb Ejiro
b) Chico Ejiro
c) Tarila Thompson
d) Rob Eze
3. "Scores to Settle" was produced by which of these producers?
a) Sunny Collins
b) Tade Ogidan
c) Dozie Eriobu
d) Zeb Ejiro
4. Who produced the 1998 classic "Diamond Ring?"
a) Tade Ogidan
b) Zeb Ejiro
c) Charles Novia
d) Sunny Collins
5. Who produced the classic "Nneka the Pretty Serpent?"
a) Zeb Ejiro
b) Chico Ejiro
c) Rob Eze
d) Kenneth Nnebue
Answers: (1) A. (2) A. (3) A. (4) D. (5) A.
'Lack of funds affect production of epic movies'
The Ghanaian movie industry has been faced with a barrage of issues from funding, costuming, props, influx of foreign cultures and infiltrated storylines. Over the years, we have seen our Ghanaian stars cross over to feature in Nigerian movies and vice versa.
One of such Ghanaian actors who has virtually become a part of the Nigerian movie industry is 60-year-old Kofi Adjorlolo (K.A).
K.A quit his broadcasting career in 2003 to pursue his passion in acting.
MzGee caught up him on the set of Bank's Chronicle at the Ussher Forte in James Town and the actor among other issues lamented that lack of funding to acquire adequate props denies the country the making of great movies.
MzGee: I know you've been shooting movies for some years now, what is it like for you?
K.A: This work is very tiring, but the passion drives us on. Someone my age with the civil service would be thinking of retirement or i could get a shop and sit in front of the shop selling to customers and having it easy but I can assure you that, this is a very tedious job, it needs a lot of patience, passion and dedication to go through it.
MzGee: Apart from the passion that keeps you going, is it lucrative?
K.A: Why not, I believe that when I started, it was not lucrative for me but I’m the type of person who has patience, once i have my eyes on something and today I can sincerely say I dictate my price and anyone who dictates his price, it means that person finds himself in a lucrative business.
MzGee: There are a lot of older folks like yourself who are equally good but you seem to be getting all the roles, what's your secret?
K.A: Commitment. I was a broadcaster on TV and Radio for about 13 years and when I decided to go into this industry, I laid off everything so i could give it my all. I was always ready to work, so most of the producers were aware that if they needed me I was always available unlike some of my colleagues who didn't have the luxury of time because acting was not their sole occupation, inconveniencing some of the producers. Another factor is that i am very humble person, very disciplined, very stern and hardworking. My broadcasting also aids my interpretation of my roles.
MzGee: Many pundits say we do not have Ghanaian movie industry and our success is dependent on the Nigerians movie industry?
K.A: In the first place we never ever depended on Nigerians for sales or marketing. It was rather the Nigerians who were depending on us for sales and marketing because at the point Ghanaians were not actually buying Ghanaian films, we were more interested in the Nigerian films so we were rather doing more sales for Nigerians not vice versa but fortunately it came to a point, we Ghanaians also started doing good films. Some Ghanaian producers decided to do collaborations with Nigerian artistes, directors and as they mingled with us, our folks began learning better ways of movie productions. Basically, we reaped from each other.
MzGee: Some Nigerian movie makers says its much cheaper to use a Ghanaian artiste?
K.A: It is a lie, I go to Nigeria to work and they see me as a professional of a certain standard so what I need to take is what I take. If a super star in Nigeria sleeps in a 5-star hotel, I will be given a 5-star hotel to sleep in. That is the standard, people shouldn't think otherwise. I was presented the Nollywood legend award; it was not because they were paying me less. It's because I worked hard. Using Ghanaian art helps them boost their sales.
MzGee: What is the minimum you take for a role?
K.A: It all depends on the script.
MzGee: What is the range of your charge?
K.A: Well, I can't mention it.
MzGee: Why is difficult for you all to mention, I simply seek to know how lucrative this business is?
K.A: You know, when you ask of range, ours is not like in the public service where the remuneration are fixed. It depends on the script, because if I am to sleep in a coffin, dress like a woman and play that gay, I will charge more than usual.
MzGee: If you were to be given a role as gay, would you execute?
K.A: I have been given a lead role as a gay man but I told the producer that I wouldn't be skillful enough to play that role. MzGee: Why?
K.A: If you give me a role as a carpenter, a rich man, a politician or a doctor etc, I will excel in executing it because at 60yrs, I have met different types of people and i can relate with their activities but I have not lived in a community of gays and so they may have some expressions i may not know and my ability as an actor will be downplayed. So I refused the role.
MzGee: In this era where there's so much talk against the vice could your rejection of the role be out afraid of being victimized?
K.A: No, I didn't think so. I have played the role of a rapist and never thought of being victimized.
MzGee: Do people relate with you as the character that you play in movies?
K.A: Here in Africa, because of our illiteracy level, people do.
MzGee: Have you been attacked or vilified publicly because of a character you played?
K.A: Well, not to that extent, like teasing but i have come across some persons who do not understand it is just a craft. For instance, an elderly lady in the community, I lived wit refused responding to my greetings after my role as a rapist in a movie. so for about 2-3 yrs, the woman didn't want to see me until it was impressed upon that all that we do in films is not real. MzGee: Will ever have a movie on our heroes or national icons?
K.A: Movie is not just by carrying a camera and then getting some people to play . Movie is about budget, for instance, if I want to do a movie on kwame Nkrumah, how he got independence for us even his home or his office, table, clock, TV and all the props must reflect that time. Now how do you get these props if you don't have money to afford them.
If I want to do a film on J. J. Rawlings, I need to have at least armor cars, soldiers, guns, how do I pay about 100 soldiers in a film. How do I pay for helicopter because we know Rawlings was piloting helicopters? The producers we have here around us don't have that money that's why I keep saying that if people want to produce such types of films for international consumption, for big screens, then government must be ready to fund this industry.
MzGee: Has anybody written to government demanding funds for such movies?
K.A: I believe that its not the matter of writing to the government, even the bill that we presented to parliament is still there. It's not gotten the executive nod so many years now. MzGee: What Bill is that?
K.A: Film and Arts bill that one hasn't gone through and we are talking about funding?
MzGee: So you think government is not interested in your business at all?
K.A: Well, Government is interested because I know that officialdom is always talking about the film industry, they are aware that they need to push the industry because across the borders there are so many people or even situations that happened in Africa that can be depicted in films and all these need money.
MzGee: What about the ministry of creative arts and culture and tourism?
K.A: I think they are doing something to get us together. I know that the minister for tourism is always very anxious to get the creative arts industry going by organizing seminars and trips for some of the artistes. It creates certain kind of awareness but for what we are talking about right now is about funds.
MzGee: Has the industry proved itself good enough to earn investors interest?
K.A I don't think the banks have any idea of what the film industry is like and what they can gain out of it. I don't think the banks have any idea basically they don't.
MzGee: What do they stand to gain should they extend a hand to the industry?
K.A: You see the banks sometimes will ask for collateral, they want to be sure how much they are making out of the money so the bank is rather secondary source of funding. I believe if it is not the private sector itself, then the government. I don't expect banks to come into this matter but I believe that the government can fund the project.
Baba Sala: The story of Nigeria’s first king of comedy
Moses Olaiya, better known by his stage name, Baba Sala, is a Nigerian comedian, dramatist, musician and actor. A Yoruba from Ilesha in Osun State, Baba Sala is regarded as the father of Nigerian comedy. Years after he dominated the theatre landscape with his stereotyped comic characterisation, Baba Sala’s name still remains synonymous with comedy. The veteran actor, whose comic acts earned the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 1978 during General Olusegun Obasanjo‘s military regime, started when there was no certainty or likelihood of gaining national prominence with just doing comedy.
As Nigerian Film Industry, with all its glitz and glamour today, took its root from the Yoruba travelling theatre movement of the 60s, 70s and the early 80s, Baba Sala was one of the early starters of that era. And others included Hubert Ogunde, Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love), Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, Ishola Ogunshola (Isho Pepper) and Oyin Adejobi, to mention a few.
Out of the lot, it was only Baba Sala and his Awada Kerikeri group who picked comedy as their genre of theatre. Incidentally, not many know that Baba Sala started out in life as a civil servant, a sanitary inspector. This he combined with a part-time teaching work and the daily thrift collection popularly called ‘Ajo’ among the Yorubas. In the late evenings, he would transform from a thrift collector into a highlife musician. And in 1964, he led a group known as the Federal Rhythm Dandies, which was the band through which Baba Sala launched himself into stardom. The band was known for its quality Juju music which was always on hand at different social gatherings. Interestingly, among his band’s men was Sunday Adegeye, better known as King Sunny Ade, who was his lead guitarist. Sunny Ade later left to become a music maestro and king of Juju music in Nigeria. Moses Olaiya became a full-time professional theatre comedian in 1969 after he disbanded his Moses Olaiya Concert Party and came up with the more lasting Moses Olaiya International Alawada Theatre Limited, which travelled extensively round Nigerian towns and cities.
He had played a vital role in uplifting the image of indigenous Nigerian cinema in and outside the African continent. For example, he has produced films that had been shown in countries like Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Germany, Belgium and the United States. He has also gone on foreign tours such as Britain in 1981. These, together with many brilliantly produced performances, had contributed immensely to his popularity as a first-rate artiste. The advent of the first television station in Nigeria, The Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) equally impacted on the career of this maestro of hilarious comedy, for he was given a one-year contract of drama sketches at the station based on the directive of the then legendary Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had at some occasions witnessed the enriching performances of Baba Sala. In those good old days, at 7pm every Wednesday night on NTA Ibadan, many people in Ibadan and all its surrounding towns and villages in the South West usually would rush home to watch his Alawada Comedy Show. It is on record that he virtually wrote all his plays in which more often than not he was the lead character.
However, life has not been all bed of roses for the talented artiste who is now 80 years old. At some points in the past, he was reported to have come down with a stroke which he survived and at another point, there were reports that he went into coma which he also came out of. Call him a cat with nine lives and that would not be wrong. Also earlier in the year, reports emerged that the comedian was admitted and later discharged for old age related ailment at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.
He had played a vital role in uplifting the image of indigenous Nigerian cinema in and outside the African continent. For example, he has produced films that had been shown in countries like Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Germany, Belgium and the United States. He has also gone on foreign tours such as Britain in 1981. These, together with many brilliantly produced performances, had contributed immensely to his popularity as a first-rate artiste. The advent of the first television station in Nigeria, The Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) equally impacted on the career of this maestro of hilarious comedy, for he was given a one-year contract of drama sketches at the station based on the directive of the then legendary Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had at some occasions witnessed the enriching performances of Baba Sala. In those good old days, at 7pm every Wednesday night on NTA Ibadan, many people in Ibadan and all its surrounding towns and villages in the South West usually would rush home to watch his Alawada Comedy Show. It is on record that he virtually wrote all his plays in which more often than not he was the lead character.
Obi Emelonye Speaks On His New Movie, Oxford Gardens
Obi Emelonye is a Nigerian film director. He is known for directing award winning films like Last Flight to Abuja, The Mirror Boy and Onye Ozi.
Obi Emelonye
The 48-year old has carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian film industry also known as Nollywood as his movies are known for quality productions and strong story lines.
Emelonye has finalised work on his new movie – Oxford Gardens, a fully commissioned movie and a collaboration between Africa Magic and the renowned Nigerian director.
In a chat with Naij.com, he spoke about the movie, what it entailed to produce the movie and why Oxford Gardens is different from his other award winning movies.
What are the challenges you faced during the production of ‘’Oxford Gardens”?
First of all, I don’t see challenges. I see opportunities. Having said that, filmmaking is not an easy job and it takes quite a lot to make a successful film. The first thing that I had to worry about was getting a great story idea, a unique narrative that would stand out in our rather crowded industry. A gentleman called Emil Garuba and his team provided the seed for OXFORD GARDENS and I am grateful to them. The next task, which I think is the difference between making a film and still dreaming about it, was to find the money. That is where Africa Magic came in. They have taken there relationship with Nollywood to the next level, where they are now co-producing under the AMOF (Africa Magic original Films) platform. I became a beneficiary of this visionary and highly strategic content acquisition strategy. It is not a million dollars but you can ask ‘how much is enough in life’? When you have money, then the real pressure begins. You have been trusted and you have to deliver. This is especially so when I have given myself a mountain to climb with huge set ups and technically difficult scenes, like car flips. But therein lies the excitement of filmmaking; taking on the world with brazen courage, guts and not much else. I really enjoyed staring these challenges in the eye before I knocked them down with sheer grit.
Do you think the lack of ”known Nollywood faces” in the movie will affect the popularity of the movie?
Who is a known Nollywood face? That is the question I asked when I was making this film. I have worked with a few of the known faces in the industry and i am grateful to them for what they brought to my various films. However, when I was casting this film, I wanted an actor that had international cinema exposure, had a following and most importantly, could box, so that the boxing scenes can be believable. Ngoli Okafor is one of the biggest black models in the world. He is officially the most downloaded black male model in the world. He has featured in huge Hollywood films, including one with Catherine Zeta Jones. He is a two-time Golden Gloves heavyweight champion and a fitness expert. You can see that, with all due respect, none of the ‘known nollywood faces’ can match this profile. Mind you, Ngoli Okafor is also a Nigerian and he can bring a whole new audience to what we do.
You see, when I cast my films, I do not put square pegs in round holes. I cast with my head and not my heart. Beyond performing their roles in the film, I know we need actors with gravitas and those that can provide marketing momentum for the film. A few days after the release of our official trailer, I thank God that God has vindicated all our choices in the film. It has been immense and I am humbled by all the attention.
Why is this movie different from your award winning movies – ”Last flight to Abuja” and ”Mirror Boy”?
Great filmmakers need to show their range, their ability to tell different kinds of stories and make successful films from different genres. Steven Spielberg has done it. He has successfully tackled adventure, sci-fi, biopics, comedies, historicals, thrillers…name it. James cameron has done the same. These are great film minds that i look forward to and I know that I had to more than a one trick pony to mirror their success. The Mirror Boy is an adventure that attempted to look at Africa as seen through the eyes of a 12 year old London boy. Last Flight to Abuja is a thriller that looked at the snazzy world of aviation with glamour glitz and unfortunately crashes. Onye Ozi is a comedy that explores immigration and the concept of the Nigerian abroad. Oxford Gardens is a film about boxing and not a boxing film. It is a moving love story wrapped in boxing gloves. If i can make this work, then, I would have taken huge steps to becoming like my idols. Variety, they say, is the spice of life.
How has ”Oxford Gardens” benefited from your collaboration with Africa Magic Original Films (AMOF) series?
I really find it difficult to talk about Africa Magic without sounding like their head of corporate communications.These guys are responsible for making Nollywood a global phenomenon. At a time that VHS format upon which Nollywood was built was beginning to die, Africa Magic set up a pay Tv platform that provided an alternative and complimentary sources of revenue for Nollywood producers. But more importantly, they put our films in living rooms across 40 African countries and started what was a small entrepreneurial film industry on a path to international renown. They didn’t stop there. They reviewed their relationship with Nollywood and decided to revalue Nigerian films by offering more in license fees. This move made Africa Magic, in most cases, the major source of recoupment for Nollywood producers; instead of being a complimentary source. Then they set up one of the most valued award ceremonies to honour excellence in African filmmaking. The Africa Magic Viewers Choice awards event has been going on for three year, held in Lagos Nigeria and dominated by Nollywood films and filmmakers. In fact, i have won a total of 7 AMVCA awards, at least one in every of the three years it has existed.
When it looked like there’s no where else to go, Africa Magic made what could be termed a stupid decision by most of its shareholders. They decided, under the AMOF platform, to collaborate with Nollywood producers and invest in Nollywood films, instead of simply buying rights in already made films. But this move might be slightly more expensive in the short term. However, in the long run, it is as strategic as it is visionary. It would engender a sustainable acquisition model for Africa Magic and become a vehicle to raise the quality of nollywood productions through direct investment in films. I am proud to be associated with AMOF and I can go as far as saying that Africa Magic has completely intertwined itself with the future of Nollywood and African cinema by this initiative. It will be hard now to separate the future of Nollywood from a more influential Africa Magic…so long as they continue to lead the way in innovative, customer-focused ideas.
Being the first movie about boxing/sports in Nigeria, do you think this will spur other Nigeria producers to toe this line?
I am not really preoccupied with being first or second. I just felt that there was a inexplicable lack of boxing elements in Nollywood films, despite the record of Nigeria in the sports of boxing. Also in spite of the huge success boxing films have recorded in world cinema where the likes of Rocky, Cinderella Man and South Paw have made huge box offices splashes and wooed audiences across the world. So I took a simple story that centred originally around an actor and infused boxing into it. I was optimistic that it would work with our people by exploiting the grit, the sweat, the underdog support, the gore and the excitement that have made boxing films successful. By God, nothing could have prepared me for this reception that the film has received, based only on the trailer. Just like Last Flight to Abuja empowered a new generation of Nollywood filmmakers to tell technically challenging stories, I believe OXFORD GARDENS will force some of our filmmakers to take themes, not just of boxing but many others that surround us and tell compelling stories out of them.
Does the movie really tell the Nigerian story especially since it was shot in London?
Some people questioned the films Africa credentials, especially because it was shot in London and they title is OXFORD GARDENS. but after seeing the trailer, they can be assured that all the central characters are Nigeria and the story can retain its complete Africanness, irrespective of the location for its principal photography. The name also was chosen because the bulk of the film happens in a park in Chelsea, west London called Oxford gardens. It sounds different from your usual nollywood title. It is is snappy and sexy. So why not?
What should your fans expect from this movie?
Firstly, I don’t have fans oh. That name implies a certain imbalance in your relationship with people that support you. It can be used to mean that you are up there and these poor sods are following you, worshipping you. I respect and appreciate the people that support me more than that. I call them supporters and not fans. Abeg, I no get fans oh.
The movie premieres across Nigerian cinemas on the 18th of December.
IROKO Will Now Distribute And License Nollywood Movies Worldwide
Today at the DISCOP event, African internet TV pioneer, iROKO, officially launches iROKO Global, its global content distribution and licensing division.
The iROKO Global team will license its extensive library of Nollywood films and TV series across Pay TV, Internet TV, Inflight and YouTube channels. From its HQ in London, the division will be partnering with media outlets in key markets, notably the UK, US and France, to license Nollywood films and TV series and develop iROKO branded channels. Leading iROKO Global’s worldwide licensing division is Senior Vice President, Justine Powell, who has recently joined the company from Associated Press, where she was Director of Sales for Europe & Africa.
Speaking on the official launch, Powell says: “The gains Nollywood has made in the last five years has been staggering. Building on this momentum, and giving Nollywood the international platform it deserves, iROKO Global will be making the best content the industry has to offer available to its largest audience yet.”
“African entertainment has, for too long, been undervalued. However, as audiences look for more diverse content, demand for the continent’s most popular form of entertainment has increased, and with this new distribution division, we are bringing the best of Nollywood to millions more fans around the world, across all platforms.”
The new venture is already generating seven-figure revenues for the company and follows on from the success of iROKO’s move into Linear TV, with the launch of two new TV channels on Africa’s StarTimes earlier this year. iROKO Global has already signed a number of deals with partners, including Star Times, Canal, Nollywood TV, Lebara, Vox Africa, Zuku, British Airways, Emirates, The Africa Channel, South African Airways and The Nollywood Channel.
Jason Njoku, iROKO Founder & CEO adds: “Leading viewers to what they love is our ethos and what has underpinned this decision to move into content distribution. As the very nature of home entertainment and content consumption is changing, so must content distribution. Since 2011, we’ve connected with hundreds of thousands of Nollywood fans through our consumer platform,
iROKOtv.com, but now is the time to extend our reach and showcase our content to millions more.
“Having forensically tracked the growth of interest in African content across the globe, we predict that iROKO Global will generate a strong revenue stream for us and will help cement our position as Africa’s leading entertainment brand.”
“Having forensically tracked the growth of interest in African content across the globe, we predict that iROKO Global will generate a strong revenue stream for us and will help cement our position as Africa’s leading entertainment brand.”
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