The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to informally as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in the early 20th century. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age era, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema.
Pascal Atuma is a Canadian-Nigerian Actor, Screenwriter, Film Producer, Film Director, and CEO/Chairman of TABIC Record Label.. Pascal was born in Ikwuano Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. He attended Government College, Umuahia, and attended the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He also attended KD Conservatory-College of Film & Dramatic Arts in Dallas, Texas, USA. He was also awarded a Certificate in Entrepreneurship Specialization from the University of Pennsylvania, in the United States.
Ufuoma Stacey McDermott is a Nigerian film-maker, actress and former model.
Stephanie Okereke Linus is a Nigerian actress, film director and model. She has received several awards and nominations for her work as an actress, including the 2003 Reel Award for Best Actress, the 2006 Afro Hollywood Award for Best Actress, and three nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2005, 2009 and 2010. She was also the runner up for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant of 2002. In 2011, she was honoured by the Nigerian government with a national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR.
Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark is a 2011 romantic mystery film directed by Bayo Akinfemi and starring Van Vicker, Koby Maxwell, Tchidi Chikere, Syr Law, JJ Bunny and Chet Anekwe. The film depicts the adventures of an aspiring photographer whose accidental picture exposes an infamous murder mystery. The film was initially slated for a direct-to-video release but as of February, 2011 was scheduled for a multiple-city limited theatrical release. Made for a low six-figure budget and filmed over the course of 19 days, the film has been known in the Nollywood USA market as the film that has changed the look and sound of Nollywood by introducing a more western approach to production quality. Notably the filmmakers employed the experience of an American filmmaker to serve as cinematographer and editor.
Black Magic Tim is an American filmmaker working mostly with music videos, EPK's, commercials and independent feature films. He has directed, filmed and edited productions for clients such as Blackground Records, Tommy Boy Entertainment and TVT Records. As well as, EPK's for national artists and book authors like " Naughty by Nature "," Tank ", "Kimberly Scott (singer)" and Motivational Speaker "Valorie Burton". He has received several awards and film festival nominations for his work on the short Sci-Fi film "Apple Crumb Panic".
Chet Anekwe is an actor and filmmaker who was born in Nigeria and raised in New York City. His work spans Hollywood, Nollywood and the New York Theater.
Koby Maxwell, is a Ghanaian musician, singer, actor and producer who currently resides in Washington, D.C. in the United States. He says that his goal is to maintain the authenticity of African music, while incorporating the sounds of others. In June 2010, he became a film producer and executive producer when he hired a US film production company to produce his first Nollywood feature film, entitled Paparazzi Eye in the Dark.
One Night in Vegas is a 2013 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by John Uche. It stars Jimmy Jean-Louis, John Dumelo, Yvonne Nelson, Sarodj Bertin, Van Vicker, Michael Blackson and Koby Maxwell. The film focuses on a Ghanaian Couple who attempt to better their relationship by taking a trip to Las Vegas. The film was created by the same team who introduced Paparazzi Eye in the Dark in 2011. Budgeted with a low six-figure budget and filmed over the course of 19 days, the film has been known in the Nollywood USA market as the film poised to raise the bar of African films by utilizing a more western approach to production quality and standards. Notably employing the experience of an American Filmmaker to serve as Cinematographer and Editor. The film's official release in Ghana was one of the largest turnout outs ever in the history of Silverbird Theater in Accra Mall.
Weekend Getaway is a 2012 Nigerian romantic drama film directed by Desmond Elliot and starring Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Monalisa Chinda, Ini Edo, Uti Nwachukwu, Alexx Ekubo, Bryan Okwara, Beverly Naya and Uru Eke. It received 11 nominations and eventually won 4 awards at the 2013 Nollywood & African Film Critics Awards (NAFCA). It also received 2 nominations at the 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards with Alexx Ekubo eventually winning the award for Best Actor in a supporting role. The film was a box-office success in Nigerian cinemas generally because of its star-studded cast.
Render to Caesar is a 2014 Nigerian crime thriller film written and produced by Desmond Ovbiagele, directed by Desmond Ovbiagele and Onyekachi Ejim. It stars Wale Ojo, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Omoni Oboli and Bimbo Manuel with Special appearances from Kehinde Bankole and Femi Jacobs. The film was initially slated to be released in the second quarter of 2013 but was pushed back due to delayed post production; it was however released on 28 March 2014. The film which was supported by Microsoft, Trace and FCMB tells the story of two friends who return from abroad to join the Nigeria Police Force, only to be faced with an impossible mystery case involving a criminal, Caesar who has been terrorising the city of Lagos for quite sometime.
Femi Jacobs is a Nigerian actor, speaker and singer. He came into prominence for playing Makinde Esho in the film The Meeting, which also stars Rita Dominic and Jide Kosoko. For his role in The Meeting, he received a nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards. He also won the award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Osas Ighodaro is a Nigerian American actress, producer, host and humanitarian. She won the Miss Black USA Pageant in 2010 and founded The Joyful Joy Foundation, raising funds and awareness for the fight against Malaria. Additionally, she co-hosted the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. She played the role of Adanna (Danni) on the soap opera Tinsel, and won Best TV Actress of the Year at the 2014 ELOY Awards. Osas emerged as highest-grossing Nollywood actress of 2018. She was awarded as the “Best Actress in a Drama” in the 2022 AMVCA for her role played in the movie Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story.
Feathered Dreams is a 2012 Nigerian-Ukrainian drama film, directed by Andrew Rozhen, who also stars in the film with Omoni Oboli. The film which is the first collaboration between Nigeria and Ukraine tells the story of a young Nigerian medical student in Ukraine, Sade who dreams of becoming a singer, but she's faced with several difficulties associated with being a foreigner. Feathered Dreams is also the first Ukrainian English-language feature film.
The Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards is an annual award that rewards film practitioners in the African continent. It has been held in the United States since its maiden edition on September 17, 2011.
Femi Adebayo Salami is a Nigerian film director, film actor, lawyer, producer and Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture and Tourism. He is the son of the veteran actor, Adebayo Salami.
Just not Married is a 2016 Nigerian heist drama film starring Stan Nze, Rotimi Salami, Roland Obutu, Judith Audu, and Brutus Richards. The film was written by Lani Aisida and directed by Uduak-Obong Patrick. The film was shot within Lagos State.
Moses Inwang is a Nigerian film director, producer, editor and screenwriter best known for classic films in the Nollywood mainstream that speak to societal ills and nagging live issues rarely documented in Nigerian movies. Inwang's first outstanding recognition came 2012 when he directed the psychological thriller Torn, also produced by him, and released in cinemas nationwide in 2013. With multiple nominations, award and recognition bagged from that movie, he went on to direct and produce other hits like Damage, Cold Feet, Stalker, Last 3 digits, Alter Ego, Crazy People, American Driver, Unroyal and lastly Merry Men 2; Ayo Makun(AY)’s blockbuster movie, which emerged the 2nd highest-grossing movie of 2019 in Nigeria with a sum of 240 million.
Chief Enyinna Nwigwe is a Nigerian actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for playing Nonso in The Wedding Party 2, and playing Tamuno in Black November.
Paul Igwelisten is a Nigerian award-winning television director, writer, producer, and creator, and CEO of Whitestone Cinema Limited. He produced popular Soap like "Clinic Matters", "The Benjamins", "Ojays", and "Asunder".
