It might be obvious to many that 90% of movie leaks come from insiders on the production team in a Nollywood movie like Malaika. The relevant people on a movie production team can leak photos/video from the set and even more during post-production regardless of how much precautions go into this.



Malaika is a movie by Toyin Abraham, a new addition to her directorial list. The movie drowned the sum of N500m, and though unverified, this amount for a Nollywood movie places it on the high-budget list. 



Before its cinema release on December 15, 2023, movie pirates had gotten hold of it and made it available. The actress/director took steps to stop that action but it was too late. The financial implications of this illegal release of Malaika and how many people have a copy are not yet known.



Movie piracy is a serious issue globally. When movies and series get an early release from illegal unauthorised sources, there are always patronisers waiting to watch them for free. This content is made available on certain websites and others on DVDs in Nigeria.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Safety of Nollywood Movies</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="701" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/malaika-1024x701.jpg" alt="Malaika Poster. Photo: Toyin Abraham" class="wp-image-868" style="width:793px;height:auto" srcset="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/malaika-1024x701.jpg 1024w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/malaika-300x206.jpg 300w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/malaika-768x526.jpg 768w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/malaika.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Malaika Poster. Photo: Toyin Abraham</figcaption></figure>



No safety measures against piracy for Nollywood movies are bulletproof. The one proven method is to monitor the core movie production team. Several film sets will ban mobile phones, the least kind of precaution, however, film pirates can hack the production server directly to get access.



There are several cases where movies leak through the censorship board that receives them for certification. The copies given to movie critics or even the premier copies carry risks too.



Errors from any of these channels can result in a lot of loss.



Also, consider releasing on <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/are-streaming-platforms-good-for-nollywood">streaming platforms</a> as they could take responsibility for leaks. Streaming platforms have become useful to Nollywood in this way over the years.



One move that is considered medicine after death could be to force movie pirates to take down intellectual property. There are tools available online for this purpose. With the correct proof of ownership, these tools pull pirated content from websites and prevent them from appearing on search engines.

How Malaika Leaked and the Cost for Toyin Abraham

There is an ongoing wave of remakes and sequels for good Nollywood movies from the 90s. This wave has seen the remakes and sequels of films like Ahanna: Rattle Snake and Domittila. 



The next to expect from <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/nollywood-remakes-or-originals-what-is-best/">this wave of remakes and sequels</a> in Nollywood is Issakaba. It may not be very apparent, but the name is a palindrome of the word &#8220;Bakassi.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1001" height="604" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/samdede.jpg" alt="Sam Dede from The Black Book" class="wp-image-930" style="object-fit:cover;width:618px;height:400px" srcset="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/samdede.jpg 1001w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/samdede-300x181.jpg 300w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/samdede-768x463.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sam Dede from The Black Book</figcaption></figure>



Issakaba was a vigilante movie that simulated the Aba Bakassi boys from the 1990s. 



These are some of the things to have in mind before the new Issakaba returns.



The Issakaba movie is a classic for a lot of reasons. From the &#8220;Issakaba&#8221; chant and charm that perpetrators wore before being tortured to death to all the parables, there are so many details to divulge here. 



There are over 100 local Nigerian parables used in the Issakaba. Igbo chants were also used to highlight most of the scenes in the movie.



Also, it was through mere run-in conversations, without any surveys that the popularity of most films was revealed in the 90s Nigeria. Issakaba was one of those movies. It drew attention across Nigeria due to the reality it put on screen.



Issakaba can be considered a successful film in its time and Sam Dede who plays the lead character, Ebube gave so much personality to the character.



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls loop src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/issakaba-sam-dede.mp4"></video></figure>



Bringing movies back to a time when Nollywood had modified its cinema system would show how much people appreciate films like Issakaba. 



The first two parts of Issakaba, released in 1999 and 2001, respectively, are highly rated by Nigerians. The audiences are keen to see what comes next.

Sam Dede who plays the lead character, Ebube gave so much personality to the character. Photo: Sam Dede

Relevant Moments From Issakaba to Remember Before it Returns

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science has released the nomination list for the 96th Awards, Mami Wata, the Nigerian official selection does not appear on the to be on it.



In recent years, the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood started to set targets to meet the Oscars specifications without much luck. This year it has failed to make the nomination list once again. 



The 2023 <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/considering-indie-filmmaking-in-nigeria-with-the-2023-sundance-film-festival/">diabolical movie by C.J. Obasi, Mami Wata</a>, was presented to the Academy by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) as the official selection from Nigeria for the Best International Feature Film Category of the 96th Oscars.



Mami Wata was approved after meeting <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/king-of-thieves-meets-the-first-specification-for-the-oscars-but-there-are-more/">the specifications, unlike its predecessors including Lionheart</a> by Genevieve Nnaji. However, this approval is usually without assurance of a nomination.



Mami Wata is a narrative taken from a common myth about water goddesses in Nigeria that are addressed by the same name.



C.J. Obasi is charting a path and making hyper-stylised films as he had told <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNN</a>. He is taking on the concepts of Akira Kurosawa and David Lynch to add substance and make films with depth.



The production of Mami Wata was backed by Fiery Film Company, Guguru Studios, Palmwine Media, Swiss Fund Visions Sud Est, and Ifind Pictures of France.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best International Feature Film Category Nomination</h2>



Movies nominated in the Best International Feature Film Category of the 96th Academy Awards are;



Io Capitano &#8211; Italy Perfect Days &#8211; Japan Societ of the Snow &#8211; Spain The Teachers Lounge &#8211; Germany The Zone of Interest &#8211; United Kingdom



Nollywood may have to try hard to beat the production values of films like Parasite &#8211; South Korea who are among the previous winners of the category. For 2023, All Quiet on the Western Front &#8211; Germany, won the category. Other previous winners of the International Feature Film Category are;



Another Round &#8211; Denmark Drive My Car &#8211; Japan



Mami Wata is nominated in the Best International Film category of the 39th Independent Spirit Awards.

Mami Wata Fails to Make the 96th Oscars Nomination List

Directors in Nollywood have been known to play cameo roles that don&#8217;t take any time or effort.



However, movie directors and producers can sometimes fill actors&#8217; shoes on movie sets. Other times <a href="https://nollymania.com/merry-men-the-real-yoruba-demons-soundtrack-beats-movie/">a director can also be cast for a role </a>and vice versa.



Here are a few directors/producers who play roles in their films.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Femi Adebayo &#8211; Producer, King of Thieves</h3>



For the most part of his career in the Nigerian movie industry, Femi Adebayo has appeared as an actor including in the recent King of Thieves (Ògúndábède) which he is also a producer of.



King of Thieves is <a href="https://culturecustodian.com/no-nollywood-film-will-compete-at-the-next-oscars-awards-heres-why/">about a progressive and famous kingdom, Ajeromi</a> which unexpectedly catches the eye of a powerful bandit and terrorist Agesinkole.



With this new arrival, the kingdom of Ajeromi quickly went from a peaceful state to a chaotic and terrorized one.



The Ajeromi Kingdom refuses to have it and chases after the Agesinkole bandit with all its resources &#8211; sorcery, magic, hunters, witchery and wizardry.



Premiered under the theme &#8216;Epic and Dangerous&#8217; on April 4, 2022, at the IMAX Cinemas, Lekki, Lagos.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Genevieve Nnaji &#8211; Director Lionheart</h3>



Directing and producing was almost overdue for Genevieve Nnaji before Lionheart in 2018. It was her directorial debut and she made quite an appearance as it became the first Nollywood Netflix original.



Lionheart features the director in the lead role Adaeze as the daughter of a transporter who had to retire early due to ill-health. Adaeze was to take over the business in an atmosphere that challenges her gender. 



Her impractical uncle Godswill was to be her backing but he has his ideas about how to run a business well. 



The pair will agree and disagree but they both want to arrive at the same goal.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Funke Akindele &#8211; Producer/Director, Battle on Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah, She Must Be Obeyed</h3>



Funke Akindele has always had big ideas about films. At this time in her career, she would most likely want to direct those ideas onto the big screen herself. 



That is most likely the reason viewers are going to be seeing more of Funke Akindele in movies and series that she directs and produces. 



Funker Akindele is a super actor.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Battle on Buka Street</h4>



Two women have lived their entire lives hating on each other. Their new street food vending businesses did not make it easier. They vow to destroy each other if it comes to that. Battle on Buka Street is on Netflix and more details are available here.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">A Tribe Called Judah</h4>



The Jedidah family is a large one with people having several personalities and abilities. But their mother has raised them to have similar values. Now on her dying bed, her boys whom she had conceived from 5 different men will put their heads together and agree to keep her alive. 



However, in the city, their other people who have made the same plan for the same night &#8211; to rob a store. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">She Must Be Obeyed</h4>



This series by Funke Akindle highlights the rivalry, anger and backstabbing activities between three successful music stars. They each fight for the top spot in the music industry against all odds and at the expense of the other&#8217;s efforts.

Nollywood Directors, Producers that Feature in their Films

It is not the first movie by Editi Effiong, but it is the one that will establish a lasting fintech-Nollywood collaboration after its huge returns. 



The first-time director and co-writer of The Black Book suggests that he will continue to work with fintech companies to make million-dollar budget movies. 



More so, fintech investors seem to have a strong conviction about the film industry in Nigeria and are setting aside film funds to partner with diverse creators.



They put their money down for The Black Book as a proof of concept and will do it again if they will.



The decision by fintech leaders to stake funds in movies is a way of showing support to the creative industry that is continually trying to take Africa to the world through culturally rich stories on thin budgets. With a global big hit on the streaming platform Netflix, the success and impact of The Black Book is satisfactory to investors.



The production value of The Black Book is evidently worth every shot. 



Its fintech influence appears to give it a huge boost, backed by the streaming platforms that made it even easier to reach places where it became a trend &#8211; South Korea, Greece, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Black Book</h2>



The Revenge List, the non-English title of The Black Book in some countries, has stayed at the top of the chart in 88 countries since its release on September 22, 2023,



In Nigeria, South Korea and 18 other countries, The Black Book has been No.1 and the first African movie to do so well on Netflix.



The Black Book&nbsp;takes on the narrative of a distraught church deacon, Paul Erima seeking revenge and honour for his son. He is caught in the intricacies of justice, revenge and his faith.



He refuses to let go and confronts the rogue police department that has a hand in his son&#8217;s death. The Black Book is slightly perceived as a manifest of the issues of corruption, injustice and prejudice in Nigeria.

The Fintech Investment that Gave Nollywood a Global Boost – The Black Book

Watch Any Movies Lately?

This morning in Nigeria began with a demonstration against the rising cost of living. In the last few years, the country has seen a constant need to protest, either for insecurity or unemployment. 



However, those are put on hold as citizens now struggle to feed in an economy that is steadily growing into crisis.



The national assembly in Abuja is covered with a crowd of demonstrators who are guarded by the police. Protesters mount blocks on the road to minimise movement and activities in Abuja.



The initiators of the recent protest, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) intend to pressure the government to rethink the reforms put in place last year &#8211; the removal of subsidy. 



This system had previously allowed Nigerians to pay less for petrol and keep a balance in the country&#8217;s trade connections. A change in the prices of petrol drags every commodity in Nigeria. 



Currently, a litre of petrol costs over three times the price from a year before. Inflation rates are soaring and people who can afford meat, eggs and milk now are considered rich. 



Citizens blame the previous government for the economic crises and high inflation rates of 2024. The former government had the Central Bank print huge amounts of about $19bn as short-term loans to cover expenditures, thereby, fueling inflation. 



The National Bureau of Statistics in January said it has now recorded an inflation rate of almost 30 per cent, which is about three decades high.



The economy also further took a blow from new currency management as the naira plunged lower against the dollar.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nigeria-protests-1024x576.jpg" alt="Protests in Nigeria in 2024" class="wp-image-1243" srcset="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nigeria-protests-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nigeria-protests-300x169.jpg 300w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nigeria-protests-768x432.jpg 768w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nigeria-protests-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nigeria-protests.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Government Response to NUC Protest</h2>



The Federal Government had met with the organised Labour at the State House Abuja the day before regarding the protests. However, this meeting did not go well for both parties and ended without a proper consensus.



They are demanding an end to this devaluation of the naira as well as an increase in the minimum wage which has been below $20. This could help people survive the rising cost of living. 



The government&#8217;s response to these demands is a plea of patience from the patience to allow the new reforms to take effect. President Tinubu says that the target is to attract foreign investment.



More on the list of demands by the NUC protesters are;



Stop wasting the country&#8217;s resources and putting an end to the dollarization of the Nigerian economy.



Fix abandoned factories.



Restore local and encourage local goods and services.



A substantial investment in Agriculture and value-added manufacturing to create employment.



Subsidy for farmers, so as to give agriculture and food security a boost.



Disclose all the hidden palliative and distribute them equally across the country.



Taking the repair of all refineries as a national prerogative.



Make power supply and water available, affordable and accessible.



Increase the road/rail transportation and social housing investments. Provide cheap mass transportation buses operating on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).



Abandon International Monetary Fund and World Bank policies which are perceived as a medium of hardship for Nigerians.



Increase funding for education and healthcare at all levels. Establish a working social security system for the old and vulnerable.



Pay workers and pensioners what the government owes them.



Joe Ajaero of the NLC and Festus Osifo of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) led two teams that presented these demands to the government.



On X the protest trends with the hashtag #EndHungerProtest.

Rounds of Protests Overtake Nigeria

A bunch of AI-generated misinformation that could be ravaging Black celebrities is all over and being relished by a certain type of audience. The perpetrators understand their audience needs to feed off lies which is what the fake content is propagating.



Social platforms are used to disseminate AI-generated media in a recent explosion of manipulated false news. Fake news has previously circulated in this way, however, recent occasions are influenced by present-day technological advancements sought for alternative news sources.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fake AI News on Black Celebrities</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="594" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ai-fake-news-1024x594.jpg" alt="The abuse of AI technology will not end with fake news about Black celebrities. Abusers will likely find new ways. Photo: Unsplash/Steve Johnson" class="wp-image-921" srcset="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ai-fake-news-1024x594.jpg 1024w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ai-fake-news-300x174.jpg 300w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ai-fake-news-768x446.jpg 768w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ai-fake-news.jpg 1217w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The abuse of AI technology will not end with fake news about Black celebrities. Abusers will likely find new ways. Photo: Unsplash/Steve Johnson</figcaption></figure>



NBC News said a number of YouTube channels it reviewed conveyed misinformation compiled from exploiting news about celebrities. They have a huge audience and made an impact.



The <a href="https://culturays.com/newscontent/world/fake-ai-generated-videos-on-youtube-target-bishop-t-d-jakes-black-celebs/">millions of viewers served this misleading content have no idea</a> what they are. The voiceovers narrate sensational topics mixed in artificial intelligence-generated media. 



The captions are also hyped beyond reality to catch attention and content is often inappropriate and untrue. Content like these violates terms and conditions on social platforms like YouTube where many of them are shared. 



The platform has responded and taken action. In the last weeks, several of these channels have been taken down, and the videos removed. Others have been demonetized. YouTube has yet to enforce its new policy that will check synthetic and manipulated media in videos. 



It is probable that these channels were created for the sole purpose of creating fake news. However, a few of them appear to have switched topics recently.



According to <a href="https://www.techtimes.com/articles/293171/20230629/ai-generated-tweets-trustworthy-humans.htm">a June 2023 study</a>, &#8220;cheapfakes&#8221; the term for media that is manipulated and imitates AI, look legitimate and trustworthy to people. It is almost impossible to tell them apart except with the use of AI models designed for the purpose.



AI technology will likely be abused in new ways even after this is controlled. 



<div class="post__">Read more on the topic of fake AI-generated news targeted at black celebrities <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/ai-deepfake-fake-news-youtube-black-celebrities-rcna133368" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> here </a>on NBC News</div>

The abuse of AI technology will not end with fake news about Black celebrities. Abusers will likely find new ways. Photo: Unsplash/Steve Johnson

AI Misinformation Against Black Celebrities Is In Circulation

Black celebrities are a target of a recent stream of artificial intelligence-generated media and videos spreading falsified news.&nbsp;Bishop T.D. Jakes, Jay-Z, Sean “Diddy” Combs and even Ivy Blue are among the latest victims having their real-life events overstretched in these manipulated videos that have no proof. 



They depict celebrities in inappropriate activities that are untrue and farfetched from the reality they claim to be narrating.



These videos contain graphic, expensive misinformation and suggestive voiceovers and are all made using generative AI tools. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="645" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ai-2-1024x645.jpg" alt="Ai Misinformation in Circulation" class="wp-image-1249" srcset="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ai-2-1024x645.jpg 1024w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ai-2-300x189.jpg 300w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ai-2-768x484.jpg 768w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ai-2.jpg 1122w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ai Misinformation in Circulation</figcaption></figure>



Since 2022, manipulative copycats have begun emulating generative AI technologies with &#8220;cheapfakes&#8221; (non-AI). The technology by ChatGPT, Google and Microsoft, known to many and enables users to deliver more refined work, is abused to generate fake content.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to recognise AI-generated videos, content</h2>



A lot of people have possibly seen these pictures and videos and not recognised them for what they are. They appear on YouTube, Facebook and TikTok mostly.



Social platforms like YouTube have an obligation to terminate channels for violating its Terms of Service. Additionally, they are liable to removing channels from monetization programs along with all the content &#8211; videos and thumbnails. YouTube essentially reviews and removes channels flagged for having explicit content. However, taking these videos down could sometimes take a while, so they could get to millions of people before that happens. 



It is arguably easy to spot these AI-generated media and fake content. 



A considerable <a href="https://culturays.com/newscontent/world/ai-misinformation-against-black-celebrities-is-in-circulation/">part of the AI-generated fake videos is a dramatic depiction</a> of events. Only Black celebrities feature in the most latest narratives &#8211; Rihanna &amp; Beyonce have been seen showing excessive emotions in content with bloated captions relating to very personal issues.



That is how to identify them. They twist real stories to sound like the lives of these celebrities are falling apart with the intent to shock and exaggerate scandalous events about celebrities. 



The voiceovers narrate fake information pretending to provide new information about real topics that already have millions of audiences. 



AI detection models were used to run the videos and audio and they produced 98% &amp; 99% results of being made with generative tools. Audio from real voices is distinguished from synthetic audio by the model.<a href="mailto:?subject=Microsoft%27s%20Satya%20Nadella%20on%20AI%20and%20potential%20election%20interference&amp;body=https://www.today.com/video/microsoft-s-satya-nadella-talks-concerns-over-ai-and-2024-election-203215941939" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<div class="post__">Read more on the topic of fake AI-generated news targeted at black celebrities <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/ai-deepfake-fake-news-youtube-black-celebrities-rcna133368"> here </a>on NBC News</div>

Black Celebrities are implicated in fake AI videos

Fake AI-Generated Videos on YouTube Target Bishop T.D. Jakes, Black Celebs

Cinemas in Africa saw a rush during the 2022 holidays.



This gave a boost to a few films like The Stand Up <a href="https://nollymania.com/nigerian-movies-production-companies/">from FilmOne</a>, and Catfish Christmas, from Blue Pictures that had been struggling.



However, other films have been assembling cinema-goers and have kept that rate after the holidays.



Rising: City of Dreams &#8211; A tribute to eastern boys who make it to the top of the area boys ring in western Nigeria, Wedding in Nigeria, which has a cliched storyline, woke and a number of movies in the theatre, appear to be the people&#8217;s least favourites.



Here is a different list of popular movies in Africa now.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Woman King</h3>



Inspired by the story of a female warrior from The historical Dahomey Kingdom.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">King of Thieves</h3>



The Kingdom of Ajeromi comes under attack from a formidable and unforgiving terrorist group.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Brotherhood</h3>



This is the story of two brothers. Being each other entirety and surviving the most challenging days of their lives together, were tested by the hard decisions of life, choosing between good and evil.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Battle on Buka Street</h3>



A <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/nollywood-is-getting-a-boost-from-making-comedy-recent-records-show/">Nigeria street food fight narrative</a> focused on rivalry in the streets of Lagos.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Avatar &#8211; The Way of the Waters</h3>



Now in its third week, continues on a good run at the box office. Jake Sully and Ney&#8217;tiri are <a href="https://fandomwire.com/avatar-3-villains-in-the-seed-bearer/">faced with a war against humans</a>, again.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Black Panther: Wakanda Forever</h3>



The aftermaths of the death of King T&#8217;Challa. The women in Wakanda along with, M&#8217;Baku take up the reins to keep their kingdom safe from invaders.



The next phase isn&#8217;t going to be easy, and they will need to keep Nakia and Everett Ross close for this new phase.

Films Mostly Popular In Africa In 2022

Nollywood continues on an upward trend in 2023. Going back to its humble beginnings, there is so much to revisit for an industry with a large global cultural and cinematic force. This narrative of growth and influence can be traced through several key stages:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Inception and Early Days: Nollywood&#8217;s origins can be traced back to the late 20th century, with the release of the first Nigerian feature film, &#8220;Living in Bondage&#8221; (1992). This low-budget production marked the birth of an industry that would eventually become known as Nollywood. At the outset, filmmakers faced limited resources, including equipment, funding, and distribution channels.</li>



<li>Prolific Output: Despite these challenges, Nollywood filmmakers displayed remarkable resilience and creativity. They produced a staggering number of films, often on shoestring budgets. These early productions often dealt with themes of mysticism, spirituality, and morality, reflecting the socio-cultural context of Nigeria.</li>



<li>VHS Era: In the absence of a robust cinema infrastructure, Nollywood films were initially distributed via VHS tapes. This grassroots distribution method contributed to the industry&#8217;s rapid growth and accessibility, as people across Nigeria and the African continent could easily access these films.</li>



<li>Quality Improvement: Over time, Nollywood invested in better production values, from cinematography to storytelling. While low budgets remained a hallmark of the industry, filmmakers increasingly adopted digital technology and improved their technical skills.</li>
</ol>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="210" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nollywood-image.jpg" alt="Nollywood Global Influence" class="wp-image-1108" style="object-fit:cover;width:600px;height:350px"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nollywood Global Influence</figcaption></figure>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Global Recognition: By the 2000s, Nollywood had gained significant recognition not only in Africa but also internationally. The term &#8220;Nollywood&#8221; itself became synonymous with Nigerian cinema. Nollywood films started screening at international film festivals, gaining attention for their unique storytelling style and portrayal of African life.</li>



<li>Market Expansion: Nollywood&#8217;s influence expanded beyond Nigeria&#8217;s borders, reaching African diaspora communities and global audiences. Its themes, characters, and cultural references resonated with viewers worldwide.</li>



<li>Global Distribution and Streaming: The rise of streaming platforms further propelled Nollywood&#8217;s global reach. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime began to feature Nollywood films, making them accessible to a vast international audience.</li>



<li>Cultural Impact: Nollywood has played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of Africa and Africans. It has contributed to changing stereotypes, presenting a more nuanced and authentic portrayal of African life, culture, and issues.</li>



<li>Economic Growth: Nollywood has become a significant economic driver in Nigeria. It generates employment opportunities for actors, directors, crew members, and various related industries. It also attracts investments and tourism.</li>



<li>Challenges and Future: Despite its global success, Nollywood still faces challenges, including piracy, copyright issues, and the need for more structured financing. However, it continues to evolve, exploring new genres and themes while maintaining its unique identity.</li>
</ol>



Nollywood&#8217;s journey from humble beginnings to global influence is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Nigerian filmmakers. 



It has not only transformed Nigeria&#8217;s entertainment landscape but has also had a profound impact on African cinema and the way Africa is depicted on the global stage. 



As it continues to grow and adapt, Nollywood&#8217;s global influence is likely to increase, further enriching the world of cinema.

Nollywood – The Humble Beginnings to Global Influence: The Black Book, Other Movies

Web series in Nollywood represent a relatively recent and exciting development within the Nigerian film and entertainment industry. 



These online series have gained popularity and have brought a fresh perspective to storytelling and content distribution. Here are some key points to understand about web series in Nollywood:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Emergence and Growth: Web series in Nollywood began to gain traction in the late 2010s. As internet access and digital platforms became more widespread in Nigeria, filmmakers saw an opportunity to reach a global audience through online streaming.</li>



<li>Low Production Costs: Web series are often produced with more modest budgets compared to traditional Nollywood films. This allows for greater creative freedom and experimentation, as well as a lower financial risk for producers.</li>



<li>Diverse Genres: Nollywood web series cover a wide range of genres, including drama, comedy, romance, crime, and science fiction. This diversity caters to a broad and varied audience.</li>



<li>Episodic Format: Web series are typically released in episodic format, with each episode ranging from a few minutes to half an hour or more in length. This format encourages binge-watching and engagement with the storyline over an extended period.</li>
</ol>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="800" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nollywood-image-culturays-1.jpg" alt="Nollywood Web Series" class="wp-image-1111" style="object-fit:cover;width:600px;height:350px" srcset="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nollywood-image-culturays-1.jpg 800w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nollywood-image-culturays-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nollywood-image-culturays-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nollywood-image-culturays-1-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nollywood Web Series</figcaption></figure>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Engagement with Digital Audiences: Nollywood web series leverage social media and online platforms to engage with their audiences. Filmmakers often interact with fans, share behind-the-scenes content, and gather feedback through these digital channels.</li>



<li>Exploration of Contemporary Themes: Many web series in Nollywood focus on contemporary issues and relatable themes, making them highly relevant to a younger and more digitally connected audience.</li>



<li>Casting and Talent: Web series provides opportunities for emerging actors and actresses to showcase their talent and gain recognition in the industry. Some well-known actors from traditional Nollywood have also been part of web series projects.</li>



<li>Global Accessibility: One of the significant advantages of web series is their global accessibility. Viewers from around the world can access Nollywood web series through streaming platforms, YouTube, and other digital channels.</li>



<li>Monetization: Web series creators have various monetization strategies, including subscription-based models, advertising revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Some series are available for free, while others require a subscription or a one-time payment to access premium content.</li>



<li>Quality Improvement: As the popularity of web series has grown, so has the investment in production quality. Many web series now feature higher production values, improved cinematography, and better storytelling techniques.</li>



<li>Recognition and Awards: Nollywood web series have received recognition at international film festivals and awards. This recognition further validates their place within the broader film and entertainment landscape.</li>
</ol>



Web series in Nollywood represent a dynamic and evolving aspect of the industry. They have provided opportunities for emerging talent, allowed for the exploration of diverse themes, and expanded the reach of Nigerian storytelling to a global audience. 



As technology and digital infrastructure continue to improve, web series are likely to play an even more prominent role in Nollywood&#8217;s future.

Web Series Will Likely Play Prominent Roles in the Future of Nollywood

Many people may already know &#8220;King of Thieves&#8221; (Agesinkole) as one of Nigeria&#8217;s submissions for the next Oscars &#8211; Academy Awards.



As <a href="https://www.indiewire.com/feature/2023-oscars-best-international-feature-film-predictions-1234741873/">a local language film, (foreign language in the Academy) most people would not have predicted its performance at the cinemas</a> or even outside.



From April of 2022 when it was released, to the end of the year, &#8220;King of Thieves&#8221; recorded ₦320,805,150. Though it is over ₦150 million short of &#8220;Battle on Buka Street&#8221; (₦541,108,176) the 2022 highest-grossing Nigerian movie, &#8220;King of Thieves&#8221; is relevant for a number of things that it represents.



The first on that list is local language representation.



Films made in local Nigerian languages are often not the ones that make it mainstream. On that side, only Nigerian movies made in English, a common language that everyone shares and understands make it.



Recognition is often localized for films like it.



&#8220;King of Thieves&#8221; is set in a rustic environment, one that is yet to see civilization, portraying the most ancient Yoruba practises, most of which are new to millennials.



The film is about conquest, defeat and strength more than it is about revenge.



To describe &#8220;King of Thieves&#8221; in a Western way, would be to say that it is a cowboy African movie.



The 2023 <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/good-african-movies-that-lost-at-the-amaa-awards-in-2022">Academy Awards</a> nominee list was released recently and &#8220;King of Thieves&#8221; did not make it.



However, the infusion of several artistic concepts appears to have skyrocketed &#8220;King of Thieves&#8221; into the list of highest-grossing Nollywood movies of 2022.

Box Office Numbers for 2022 Reveal Big Surprises for Nollywood

For about three months after its release, &#8220;Brotherhood&#8221; was rated the highest-grossing Nigerian movie in 2022.



The movie earned ₦327,306,92 by its last cinema run in several other African countries &#8211; Cameroon, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Togo, Nigeria, Niger Republic, Senegal, Congo, Rwanda, Gabon, Guinea, and Madagascar. It was produced by Greoh Studios and released on 23 September 2022.



At this time, <a href="https://nollymania.com/nollywood-movies-success/">Greoh Studios is rising rapidly into the elite spot of studios</a> in Nigeria.



In &#8220;<a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/4-nollywood-studios-whose-2022-movies-are-on-the-top-10-movies-of-all-time/">Brotherhood</a>&#8220;, twin brothers Wale Adetula and Akin Adetula witnessed the murder of their parents before fifteen.



One twin appears to find a decent path in life, but his brother does not do too well in making decisions and becomes a criminal.



While in different professions, their paths crossed and difficult decisions have to be made by the twins. Brotherhood features cultism with a group it calls &#8216;Ojuju Boys&#8217;.



By the end of 2022, Battle on Buka Street by top Nigeria studio FilmOne, surpassed to win the spot of the highest-grossing movie of the year.



However, Greoh Studios is chasing the spot again as it anticipates new high-standard movies within its deal with Amazon Prime.

What Studios in Nigeria Made the Highest-Grossing Films of 2022

Hollywood is not the only place to find true filmmaking mastery anymore.



Since the 2010s when Nollywood started getting recognition, it has become pressed with the responsibility to make globally acceptable films.



Filmmakers like Mo Abudu did not waste any time taking up that mantle, and she did so with grace. By 2022, <a href="https://theconversation.com/nollywood-could-see-a-major-boost-from-nigerias-new-copyright-law-an-expert-explains-why-200507">Nollywood has now advanced to a status where it can be addressed with films like &#8216;Blood Sisters</a>&#8216;, (not the remake of the old movie which had Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde in it).



The series has <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/what-studios-in-nigeria-made-the-highest-grossing-films-of-2022">a culture to share and the most creative, conceptual fashion</a> to display. However, the tale it tells is atypical of Nollywood with a clear depiction of principles in characters.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Relevant details in Blood Sisters</h3>



The filmmakers swapped the moralism that Nollywood has woven into characters for more complicated ones making for an easy, universal narrative.



&#8216;Blood Sisters&#8217; is an experience for viewers. It is African, and it is told in a better way with a more comprehensive approach to show the two categories of people in Africa and Nigeria.



&#8216;Blood Sisters&#8217; also reconciles the assertion by Nollywood films that good and evil are two extreme qualities. While achieving these, the backdrop of the movie, which is domestic violence against women is also illustrated in the most diabolical way.



&#8216;Blood Sisters&#8217; challenges the convention in the Nollywood film industry.



With it, comes an even bigger global audience, and the cinema results are off the roof for several other films.



This is a good place for Nollywood and Africa, and there is no reclination any time soon. It is not just &#8216;Blood Sisters&#8217;, there is a whole list to see.



In referencing Mo Abudu, &#8216;The Paradigm has already been shattered.&#8217; In the future, a partnership between Sony Pictures Television and EbonyLife Studios in “The Dahomey Warriors” is expected to add credits to Nollywood.

What Nollywood Made in 2022 – Blood Sisters

The African Film City project commences soon, and the Lagos State governor, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has confirmed this. The project is a $100m construction project that will sit on the north side of the Lekki Lagoon in Epe Town. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Facilities to Expect in the New African Film City</h2>



The one big idea behind the project is the improvement of content creation and originality in Nollywood. The African Film City will offer the continent a stage to take off and rise to the edge of the world with its originality. 



There is a lot of creative excellence and assurance coming from the continent and it has been in need of filmmaking facilities like the proposed African Film City for too long. 



A project of this scale where ‘Made in Africa’ content will be made will return positive results in the long run. 



Studios are the foremost items on the list of facilities coming with the African Film City. The governor promised that some of the facilities will be ready for use by 2024.



Typically, these studios will comprise makeup rooms, stores and props department, pre and post-film production facilities, dressing rooms and more



Job opportunities will also open in several props, legal, music, auditing, sales and marketing, and IT departments for people who might want to get jobs.



There is also the possibility of a film school &amp; training programs as the governor promised a raise in the support for upcoming entertainers and film producers.



Most commonly, a film city includes outdoor locations like river beds, and forest and mountain areas for scenes that might need them.



Studios in the United States have also agreed with the Lagos State government to come to the film city to help elevate morales.



Aside from enhancing creativity, the African Film Center is the attraction that Nigeria needs to become the film hub of the continent.

Lagos Film City – The Future for Nollywood and the Continent

Streaming platforms have had a mixed impact on Nollywood, with both positive and negative aspects to consider.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Positive Impact of Streaming Platforms on Nollywood</h2>



Wider Global Reach: Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and iROKOtv have provided Nollywood films with a global audience. This has allowed Nollywood to reach viewers in the African diaspora and international audiences who might not have had access to Nigerian films otherwise.



Monetization: Streaming platforms offer a new revenue stream for Nollywood filmmakers. Licensing deals with these platforms can provide substantial income for filmmakers, helping to fund future productions and improve production quality.



Quality Control: Streaming platforms often have higher standards for video and audio quality, which has encouraged Nollywood filmmakers to improve their production values. This has led to better cinematography, sound, and overall production quality in many Nollywood films.



Market Expansion: Streaming platforms have expanded the market for Nollywood films, making them accessible to a wider range of viewers. This increased demand can encourage more diverse storytelling and genres within the industry.



Data and Analytics: Streaming platforms provide filmmakers with valuable data and analytics on viewer preferences and behaviors. This information can help filmmakers make more informed decisions about content creation and marketing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.culturays.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/remake-1-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-144" style="width:623px;height:auto"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Negative Impact of Streaming Platforms on Nollywood</h2>



Piracy: Streaming platforms can indirectly contribute to piracy, as some viewers may choose to pirate films rather than pay for subscriptions or individual rentals. Piracy can result in lost revenue for filmmakers.



Market Competition: The influx of international content on streaming platforms can make it more challenging for Nollywood films to stand out. Local filmmakers may face increased competition from high-budget international productions.



Monetization Challenges: While streaming platforms offer monetization opportunities, the revenue distribution models can sometimes favor the platforms over content creators. Filmmakers may receive a smaller share of the profits.



Cultural Appropriation: Some critics argue that streaming platforms can perpetuate stereotypes and cultural appropriation in the portrayal of African stories. They may prioritize content that aligns with Western expectations rather than authentic African narratives.



Impact on Cinemas: The availability of Nollywood films on streaming platforms can affect cinema attendance in Nigeria. Some viewers may opt to stay home and watch films on their devices instead of going to the cinema.



While streaming platforms offer opportunities for wider global reach and revenue generation, they also present challenges related to piracy, market competition, and cultural representation. 



Ultimately, the impact on Nollywood depends on how effectively filmmakers and the industry navigate these opportunities and challenges.

Are Streaming Platforms Good for Nollywood?

The Big Brother Naija, BBN theme of the week is inspired by Nollywood film productions. The house was transformed into a movie production location and housemates were placed in roles that are considered suitable for them if they were cast in a blockbuster Nollywood movie.



Housemates are seriously closing in on the week&#8217;s movie wager presentation deadline as they each take on nominated roles and scripts.



The assumed Nollywood roles and characters of BBN housemates are reflections of their personalities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Village Elder Characters &#8211; Frodd,&nbsp;Seyi, and Adekunle</h2>



These housemates who are in line to get this role right &#8211;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/frodd/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frodd</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/seyi/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seyi</a>, and Adekunle in replication of the likes of Pete Edochie and Olu Jacobs. They are considered the ones with the old souls, the kind of elders that experienced life from different angles.



The Village Elder Character is generally wisdom personified. He is the one that lends knowledge to the younger generation after him and has a lot of lessons to share,



The BBN housemates nominated for this role appear to possess these characteristics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Sorority Sisters &#8211; Alex,&nbsp;Doyin,&nbsp;Ilebaye&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tolanibaj</h2>



Some of the chicky girls in the house &#8211; <a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/alex/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/doyin/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doyin</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/ilebaye/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ilebaye</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/tolanibaj/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tolanibaj</a> are just enough to fit into roles popularly designed for Ini Edo, Uche Jumbo, and Dakore Akande.



Several movies with this group of known actresses were often made with a target &#8211; campus life. 



In the BBN house, the personalities of the nominated housemates appear to align with the sorority sisters&#8217; role. A kind of role that is dynamic and can only be delivered by a person with authenticity. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The &#8216;Abroad&#8217; Boyfriend Characters &#8211; Ike,&nbsp;Kiddwaya, and&nbsp;Neoenergy</h2>



This set of characters in Nollywood is portrayed in many different ways. The BBN Nollywood production decide to go with the set of characters that who have lived in Western countries and then return to Nigeria with new accents and slang.



The nominees for the roles of the abroad boyfriend are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/ike/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ike</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/kiddwaya/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiddwaya</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/neoenergy/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neoenergy</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Sexy Siren Character &#8211; Angel,&nbsp;Ceec, and&nbsp;Venita</h2>



The character is notable for her fierceness and Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, and Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde are popular in these roles. 



It is a popular winning role in Nollywood where only the best has won. She is the successful businesswoman who makes an impact with every step and there&#8217;s proof that Angel,&nbsp;Ceec, and&nbsp;Venita are all that.



They illustrate strength and independence which is what&#8217;s necessary to play powerful female characters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Comedic Funny Man and Woman Character &#8211; Mercy Eke,&nbsp;Uriel, and&nbsp;Whitemoney</h2>



In a house filled with different characters and personalities, there&#8217;s always a Mr Ibu, Mercy Johnson, and Funke Akindele. One thing stands out with these Nollywood names &#8211; they lighten the atmosphere.



<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/mercy-eke/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercy Eke</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/uriel/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uriel</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/whitemoney/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whitemoney</a> are the nominees for these roles in the BBN All Stars house. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Lover Boy&nbsp;Characters &#8211; Cross,&nbsp;Pere, and&nbsp;Soma</h2>



This character is hugely personified. In Nollywood, Pat Attah, Ramsey Noah, Emeka Ike, and Chidi Mokeme were some of the actors that became synonymous with the lover boy character.



The same can almost be said of <a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/cross/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cross</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/pere/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pere</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dstv.com/africamagic/en-ng/show/big-brother-naija/season/8/housemates/soma/op_profile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soma</a> in BBN house. They are winning viewers with cute alluring personalities. They are also flirtatious in nature which is a big trait of this Nollywood character.

Explore the Hillarious Celebration of Nollywood by the All-Stars BBN Housemates

Awards a proof of credibility for actors and crew members of film productions. It carries so much capacity to upgrade, market and improve the financial, political and social status of a winner. 



Nollywood is yet to welcome its first Oscar winner. Anticipation started growing after the Academy elected a committee in Nollywood and has been that way ever since.



The <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/lionheart-still-the-one-hit-title-of-nollywood/">committee has been part of the decision-making for Nollywood movies like King of Thieves and</a> <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/lionheart-still-the-one-hit-title-of-nollywood/">Lionheart</a> which were both dropped. The one category that is open to Nolywood in the Oscars is the Foreign Language but this appears to also be a challenge in Nollywood.



Several Nollywood movies are made in English and the category expects more than five per cent of the film to be in a different language. This was the case for Lionheart leading to its disqualification. 



Winning an Oscar may not also be about skills in the job, but more of a popularity contest and there are ways to win an Oscar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Win an Oscar Award in Nollywood</h2>



Grow Connections: Get involved in more than just making movies and TV shows as this can only get one far enough. 



Start by creating bonds, networking and connecting with directors, producers, and writers outside Nollywood if the target is the Oscars.



Learn about other film industries that have won the International Language Oscars and see what they did well. Stock up on good film ideas and get more international collaborations. 



Have Some Standards: Make good movies that can stand the test with previous winners of the International Language category of the Oscars. Set a standard for every film and go spend the right amount to upgrade it.



Seek professional advice from people who have won: Winning the Oscars is not cheap for anyone. It will always cost something both time and money to get the kind of guidance needed to win. 



Reach out to previous winners or even hire someone with connections to demonstrate the path to winning. 



The race to make <a href="https://nollymania.com/king-of-thieves-meets-the-first-specification-for-the-oscars-but-there-are-more/">an Oscar-winning film</a> is on in Nollywood. Some industry people have accepted the responsibility of producing Oscar-winning movies making it closer to Nollywood than ever.



Nollywood can hope and look forward to the best of people like Obi Emelonye, Femi Adebayo and more in this Oscar race.

Be the First Nollywood Oscar Winner

When Nollywood was born, it was creating a lot of good narratives or at least everyone thought so at the time. However, since the late 2010s, some producers are choosing to rewrite some of the narratives of these old movies. 



These remakes sometimes retell the story better, other times they can devalue the narrative that many grew up with, especially from the 90s. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why does Nollywood remake movies?</h2>



When a narrative is good, people tend to request more of the same. So why don&#8217;t Nollywood just make a new film with a similar narrative rather than remake an old one? Arguably, remakes are conceived from the lack of original ideas. However, redoing an old item is reasonable if it makes it better than the former version. With the help of new technology, new society and artistic evolutions, Nollywood can achieve this.



Nollywood has been taking these <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/the-african-folktales-reimagined-short-films-debut-on-netflix-globally/">old stories from the past and updating them</a> into better versions for today&#8217;s audience. The good thing is, <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/netflix-african-originals-for-2023-movies-and-series-to-expect-soon/">they don&#8217;t just replicate the original movie, they always add something new that is up to date</a> with new trends. Details may change, but the messages of <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/netflix-african-originals-for-2023-movies-and-series-to-expect-soon/">the original films</a> remain the same. 



The movie industry in Nigeria is also creating new avenues for everyone in it to make money &#8211; actors and production teams. A hit from the 90s or an old hit could be perceived as something with the potential to make money in the new age. 



This is why <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/nollywood-is-getting-a-boost-from-making-comedy-recent-records-show/">Nollywood sometimes take old classics that are loved and updates them,</a> rather than making something entirely new. Nollywood remakes are becoming acceptable models that producers use to showcase masterpieces. It is not so phenomenal to see how the remakes outperform the originals. Despite no <a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/nollywood-is-getting-a-boost-from-making-comedy-recent-records-show/">box office records</a> from the 90s and inflation considered these remakes broke box office records each time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">List of Nollywood Remakes and Sequels</h2>



Many of the Nollywood remakes or sequels are movies from the 90s.



&#8220;Domitilla&#8221; &#8211; 1996 by Zeb Ejiro. The sequel by Zeb Ejiro was released in April 2023.



&#8220;Glamour Girls&#8221; &#8211; 1994 by Chika Onukwufor. The remake by Bunmi Ajakaiye was released in June 2022.



&#8220;Living in Bondage&#8221; &#8211; 1992 by Chris Obi Rapu. The remake by Ramsey Nouah was released in June 2019.



&#8220;RattleSnake &#8211; Ahanna&#8221; &#8211; 1995 by Amaka Igwe. The remake by Ramsey Nouah was released in November 2020.

Nollywood Remakes or Originals – What is Best?

In 2016, FilmOne / Inkblot Production / Koga Studios joined Ebonylife Films in the league of studios with the highest-grossing movies with &#8220;The Wedding Party&#8221; by Kemi Adetiba.



The group stayed at the top spot for about two years followed by studios like Corporate World Pictures, who came up with &#8220;Christmas in Miami&#8221;, &#8220;Merry Men&#8221; and others. In 2020, &#8220;<a href="https://culturays.com/nollywood/news/king-of-thieves-meets-the-first-specification-for-the-oscars-but-there-are-more/">Omo Ghetto: The Saga</a>&#8221; placed SceneOne Productions for the first time at <a href="https://nollymania.com/nigerian-movies-production-companies/">the top spot bumping down the big group</a> that was at the top.



This has been the pattern and this set of studios is what <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2023/03/23/ebonylife-media-founder-mo-abudu-black-stories-do-matter-and-foreign-stories-do-matter/?sh=39e97ced47fa">most people will call the top studios</a> of Nollywood. However, these records have changed rapidly in the last years and this list shows how studios are emerging in Nollywood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-a40826d9-748c-4642-9362-81592e70f335">FilmOne, Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network &#8211; &#8220;Battle on Buka Street&#8221;, &#8220;Ijakumo&#8221;</h2>



Having directed the successful &#8220;Omo Ghetto: The Saga&#8221;, the all-time highest-grossing movie at the time, FilmOne invited Funke Akindele to join the production of the &#8220;Battle on Buka Street&#8221;.



The 2022 movie is currently the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time after dethroning &#8220;Omo Ghetto: The Saga&#8221;. FilmOne has a significant release record for top-grossing Nollywood movies.



More so, they are currently, the studio with exclusive theatrical licensees to The Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Empire Entertainment in Anglophone West Africa.



As a distribution company, it occasionally produces films including &#8220;Battle on Buka Street&#8221; which it co-produced alongside Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network.



&#8220;Ijakumo&#8221; 2022 which falls under the FilmOne 2022 movies was co-produced by Toyin Abraham Films Production. In 2022, FilmOne still maintains its record as one of the top Nollywood studios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-bb2dfdfe-0290-456d-9aa5-4562fc3a28e4">Greoh Studios</h2>



Though FilmOne claims to have released the top 10 titles of all time in West Africa, that is no longer completely valid. Greoh Studios is one of the studios that broke that record in 2020 with &#8220;Brotherhood&#8221;.



Currently the sixth highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time and the second highest for movies released in 2022, Lockman Ali&#8217;s &#8220;Brotherhood&#8221; was dexterous.



It divulges a possible new pattern for action and thriller Nollywood movies. &#8220;Brotherhood&#8221; came after Greoh Studios made a big mark with &#8220;Sugar Rush&#8221; in 2019.



The studio has been on an upward trend ever since. It currently has on its record the first-ever Amazon Prime Video original, a crime-thriller &#8220;Gangs of Lagos,&#8221; which will be released in April of 2023.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-de87428b-90cd-437f-aef1-6cea968ac718">Euphoria360 Media / Anthill Studios</h2>



Euphoria360 Media / Anthill Studios are on this list of studios with the highest-grossing Nollywood movies of 2022 as well as the current top 10 list of all time with &#8220;King of Thieves&#8221;.

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