Sci-Tech Information: Nollywood: The Flourishing Film Industry in Africa
The cinema of Nigeria (referred to informally as Nollywood) is the Nigerian Film industry which grew quickly in the 1990s and 2000s to become the second largest film industry in the world in number of annual film productions, placing it ahead of the United States and behind only Indian cinema.
The Nigerian film industry is worth NG‚¦522 billion (US$3.5 billion) as at 2008 and produces over one hundred Home Videos and films per annum. The value is likely to further increase when Nigeria's National data rebasing is carried out. The Current Nigeria's GDP is the calculated estimate from 1990, before the boom in Nollywood and some other sectors like Telecommunications.
Nigerian cinema is Africa's largest movie industry in terms value and the number of movies produced per year. Although Nigerian films have been produced since the 1960s, the rise of affordable digital filming and editing technologies has stimulated the country's film and video industry.
Many Nollywood movies have themes that deal with the moral dilemmas facing modern Africans. Some movies promote the Christian or Islamic faiths, and some movies are overtly evangelical. Others, however, address questions of religious diversity, such as the popular film One God One Nation, about a Muslim man and a Christian woman who want to marry and go through many obstacles.
The first Nigerian films were made by filmmakers such as Ola Balogun and Hubert Ogunde in the 1960s, but they were frustrated by the high cost of film production. However, television broadcasting in Nigeria began in the 1960s and received much government support in its early years. By the mid-1980s every state had its own broadcasting station. Law limited foreign television content so producers in Lagos began televising local popular theater productions. Many of these were circulated on video as well, and a small-scale informal video movie trade developed.
Nigerian film industry had always been making films on celluloid and the films were screened in cinema houses across Nigeria and later released on VHS for various homes. However, the release of the Straight-to-video movie Living in Bondage in 1992 by NEK Video Links owned by Kenneth Nnebue launched the Home video market in Nigeria. Nnebue had an excess number of imported video cassettes which he then used to shoot his first film on a Video Camera.
Nollywood exploded into a booming industry in the late '90s and pushed foreign media off the shelves. It is now an industry marketed all over Africa and the rest of the world. The use of English rather than the local languages expanded the market and aggressive marketing using posters, trailers, and television advertising also played a role in Nollywood's success.
One of the first Nigerian movies to reach international renown was the 2003 release Osuofia in London, starring Nkem Owoh, the Nigerian comedic actor.
With an eye to attracting an international mainstream audience, Nigerian filmmakers are increasingly turning to the West for actors like Isaiah Washington, and Thandie Newton. The same developments are taking place in co-productions with filmmakers from other African countries. The 'Princess of Africa,' Yvonne Chaka Chaka, starred in Foreign Demons, a film set in Nigeria as well as her native South Africa.
Feathered Dreams is the first Nollywood-Ukrainian co-production. Set in Ukraine, the film stars Nigerian actress Omoni Oboli and Ukrainian actor Andrey Rozhen who also directed it.
East African film body created to drive development in the region
The First Preparatory Forum of East African Film Festivals and Film Producers took place from 12 to 14 March in Tanzania. The aim of the forum was to form a body of film industry professionals and government officials responsible for promoting film festivals and enhancing film distribution in the region.
The organisation has since been established as the East African Film Network (EAFN) with interim leaders: Professor Martin Mhando, Festival Director of the Zanzibar International Film Festival who will serve as Vice President; Feisal Malik, Director of Visual Africa Productions who will serve as Secretary General; and James Owaranga, a specialist in film, video and cinematography, who will serve as the Treasurer.
Country representatives are Ndikumana Papy Amani, Director and Producer of non-profit media development project, Burundi Film Centre; Ogova Ondego, Creative Director of Lola Kenya Screen; Tresor Senga, Director General for Rwanda's A Thousand Hills Academy Awards; Mary Birdi, Festival Manager of Tanzania's Arusha Film Festival; and Francis Ojede, Executive Director of the Uganda National Cultural Centre.
As agreed upon at the initial meeting, full leadership for the newly formed body will be put into place in 2015.
The initiative is being supported and funded by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) Tanzania.
A New Entertainment Revolution Has Come To East Africa, And This How To Be Part Of It
Showbiz Africa Ltd has set up Kenya's first 7D theater at TRM, it offers movie aficionados and thrill seekers the East Africa's first 7D theater experience.
The 7D Theater is one of the most advanced in the industry, employing interactive seats and unique special effects that are built into the theater itself. By creating a set of €7D€ effects that are synchronized to the film production, the 7D Theater adds another layer of immerse fun for the audience.The essence of 7D lies in the experience of physical effects that compliment the 3D movie being projected.
The special effects incorporated in our 7D theater are: Water spray effect, Blowing wind effect, Fragrance effect, Bubble effect, Leg tickling effect, Strobe lighting effect, Smoke effects and more€¦
Its an experience too great to describe! Come and experience it with your family and friends at your favorite, TRM, We've Got it All!
The Nigerian film industry is worth NG‚¦522 billion (US$3.5 billion) as at 2008 and produces over one hundred Home Videos and films per annum. The value is likely to further increase when Nigeria's National data rebasing is carried out. The Current Nigeria's GDP is the calculated estimate from 1990, before the boom in Nollywood and some other sectors like Telecommunications.
Nigerian cinema is Africa's largest movie industry in terms value and the number of movies produced per year. Although Nigerian films have been produced since the 1960s, the rise of affordable digital filming and editing technologies has stimulated the country's film and video industry.
Many Nollywood movies have themes that deal with the moral dilemmas facing modern Africans. Some movies promote the Christian or Islamic faiths, and some movies are overtly evangelical. Others, however, address questions of religious diversity, such as the popular film One God One Nation, about a Muslim man and a Christian woman who want to marry and go through many obstacles.
The first Nigerian films were made by filmmakers such as Ola Balogun and Hubert Ogunde in the 1960s, but they were frustrated by the high cost of film production. However, television broadcasting in Nigeria began in the 1960s and received much government support in its early years. By the mid-1980s every state had its own broadcasting station. Law limited foreign television content so producers in Lagos began televising local popular theater productions. Many of these were circulated on video as well, and a small-scale informal video movie trade developed.
Nigerian film industry had always been making films on celluloid and the films were screened in cinema houses across Nigeria and later released on VHS for various homes. However, the release of the Straight-to-video movie Living in Bondage in 1992 by NEK Video Links owned by Kenneth Nnebue launched the Home video market in Nigeria. Nnebue had an excess number of imported video cassettes which he then used to shoot his first film on a Video Camera.
Nollywood exploded into a booming industry in the late '90s and pushed foreign media off the shelves. It is now an industry marketed all over Africa and the rest of the world. The use of English rather than the local languages expanded the market and aggressive marketing using posters, trailers, and television advertising also played a role in Nollywood's success.
One of the first Nigerian movies to reach international renown was the 2003 release Osuofia in London, starring Nkem Owoh, the Nigerian comedic actor.
With an eye to attracting an international mainstream audience, Nigerian filmmakers are increasingly turning to the West for actors like Isaiah Washington, and Thandie Newton. The same developments are taking place in co-productions with filmmakers from other African countries. The 'Princess of Africa,' Yvonne Chaka Chaka, starred in Foreign Demons, a film set in Nigeria as well as her native South Africa.
Feathered Dreams is the first Nollywood-Ukrainian co-production. Set in Ukraine, the film stars Nigerian actress Omoni Oboli and Ukrainian actor Andrey Rozhen who also directed it.
East African film body created to drive development in the region
The First Preparatory Forum of East African Film Festivals and Film Producers took place from 12 to 14 March in Tanzania. The aim of the forum was to form a body of film industry professionals and government officials responsible for promoting film festivals and enhancing film distribution in the region.
The organisation has since been established as the East African Film Network (EAFN) with interim leaders: Professor Martin Mhando, Festival Director of the Zanzibar International Film Festival who will serve as Vice President; Feisal Malik, Director of Visual Africa Productions who will serve as Secretary General; and James Owaranga, a specialist in film, video and cinematography, who will serve as the Treasurer.
Country representatives are Ndikumana Papy Amani, Director and Producer of non-profit media development project, Burundi Film Centre; Ogova Ondego, Creative Director of Lola Kenya Screen; Tresor Senga, Director General for Rwanda's A Thousand Hills Academy Awards; Mary Birdi, Festival Manager of Tanzania's Arusha Film Festival; and Francis Ojede, Executive Director of the Uganda National Cultural Centre.
As agreed upon at the initial meeting, full leadership for the newly formed body will be put into place in 2015.
The initiative is being supported and funded by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) Tanzania.
A New Entertainment Revolution Has Come To East Africa, And This How To Be Part Of It
Showbiz Africa Ltd has set up Kenya's first 7D theater at TRM, it offers movie aficionados and thrill seekers the East Africa's first 7D theater experience.
The 7D Theater is one of the most advanced in the industry, employing interactive seats and unique special effects that are built into the theater itself. By creating a set of €7D€ effects that are synchronized to the film production, the 7D Theater adds another layer of immerse fun for the audience.The essence of 7D lies in the experience of physical effects that compliment the 3D movie being projected.
The special effects incorporated in our 7D theater are: Water spray effect, Blowing wind effect, Fragrance effect, Bubble effect, Leg tickling effect, Strobe lighting effect, Smoke effects and more€¦
Its an experience too great to describe! Come and experience it with your family and friends at your favorite, TRM, We've Got it All!
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