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Nollywood has capacity to surpass Hollywood, Bollywood financially, Theo Ukpaa reveals

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[dropcap]M[/dropcap]edia Executive and AFRIFF COO, Theo Ukpaa delivered a very insightful lecture during his masterclass at the Oslo Urban film conference in Norway. He gave a detailed breakdown on the growth of the Nigeria film industry popularly known as Nollywood. Nollywood ranks second in the world after Hollywood with a financial value of over $6.4 billion, making it one of the fastest-growing movie industries in the world and one of the biggest employers of labour in the country. Ukpaa felt a need to enlighten the global film front about the Nigeria film industry while emphasizing that with Federal Government support, Nollywood has potentials financially to surpass Hollywood and Bollywood out together.

“To put the financial impact of Nollywood on the socioeconomic landscape in proper perspective, we must consider the known fact that the Nigerian movie industry is currently ranked the second largest film industry globally with the financial value of the film industry put at over $6.4 billion as of 2021” Ukpaa narrates.

The Oslo Urban film conference Norway in is organised by independent filmmakers and attracted speakers and facilitators from all over Europe, USA and Asia. At the event which also saw players and stakeholders in the industry from all over the world being rewarded with awards of various categories, the AFRIFF COO said the impacts of Nollywood in the Nigerian economy, if well sustained would open doors of prosperity to the country and beyond.

Ukpaa said “since the breakthrough by pioneers of the industry in the 60s and early 90s, “Nollywood has become a thriving space that not only provides an avenue for entertainment but also generates significant revenue for Nigeria’s economy”

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“Furthermore, the job-creating potential inherent in the industry cannot be overstated as the industry currently employs over ten million people, making it one of Nigeria’s largest employers. Its capacity to employ a large number of people has been applauded by the World Bank, who acknowledged the job creation potentials of Nollywood,” he added.

There is no surprise regarding the high registration and turn out Ukpaa’s Masterclass following the success of his Masterclasses all around the globe, incorporating his many film lectures at various international universities. Mr. Ukpaa has spread his teaching to institutions in Europe, America and African continent. The Global film development Masterclass integrated Filmmakers technical and conceptual understanding of filmmaking with the practical dimensions of managing career in the Global film industry. Young filmmakers were enlightened about the great influx of streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime video and the current industry business models and development plans to advance their careers in filmmaking on a global stage.

According to Theo “Often times people focus merely on the show and glamor as well as the razzmatazz that comes with filmmaking, and end up dying broke. A strong national economy depends on a strong creative economy—and it all starts with a story. The film and television industry supports 2.4 million jobs, pays out $186 billion in total wages, and comprises over 122,000 businesses. As a Filmmaker, one of the best moments is directing real stories of real individuals, getting them to the big screens and smiling to the Bank”. He believes that passion can burn out when expenditure and hard work does not produce financial returns. These are part of the important basics he taught at his Masterclass at the coal city film Festival.

Young filmmakers were also thought how to pitch their film project, how best to approach investors, how to access international grants, how to approach film distribution the perfect way and how to stay relevant in the film industry while maximizing profit.

Theo Ukpaa is an African filmmaker, playwright, and entrepreneur. He was listed as top 10 most promising new directors by Africa Kulture Magazine in 2020.

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Ukpaa is a certified project management professional offering a Master’s in Business Administration degree from the prestigious Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California plus a Diploma in Contract Law from the esteemed Harvard University. A Native Nigerian with a passion to empower young art and culture creatives through teaching and Masterclasses at various free empowerment across Africa.

He also touched on the importance of a production treaty between Nigeria and the neighboring African countries to ease free flow of cultural exchange and breaking language barrier while leaching on great treaty benefits. The importance of Government tax incentives was also emphasized.

It was imperative to note that the Nigeria film industry contributes largely to the nations GDP and deserves a lot of support from the government as it relates to growth and sustainability in the creative sector of the country.

Theo has multiple speaking engagement lined up all year at various institutions including the Willshire Film festival in London, Sabia film festival in Monaco, the Francoise film festival in Paris, France and the United States of America

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Niyi Akinmolayan reveals his favourite scene in Jagun Jagun

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Niyi Akinmolayan, a renowned Nigerian filmmaker and founder of Antill Studios, the post production company behind the blockbuster hit Jagun Jagun, recently shocked fans and critics alike by declaring that his favourite scene in the movie is not the much-talked-about flying fighter scene but rather the intense moment when Moyale, played by Adebowale Adedayo, kills a recruit, Olatayo Amokade, popularly known as Ijebu.

Jagun Jagun, a high-octane action-packed film set in a fictional African kingdom, has been widely praised for its breathtaking visual effects and captivating storyline. The movie follows the journey of Gbotija, played by Lateef Adedimeji, a young warrior destined to defeat an evil and ruthless warlord, Ogunjimi (Femi Adebayo).

ALSO READ: Aliu Gafar raises the bar in Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun

Akinmolayan’s admission came as a surprise to many, as the flying fighter scene, featuring Adamson Ibrahim, who was also the stunts coordinator of the movie, soaring through the sky while battling a fighter, had gained widespread attention and was considered one of the film’s highlights. Nevertheless, the director’s choice to emphasise Macaroni’s pivotal moment in the plot has sparked a new wave of interest and speculation among fans.

In the climactic scene Akinmolayan favoured, Macaroni, one of the lieutenants of the warlord, figures out and confronts Ijebu, a brave infiltrator of the camp. The tense encounter showcases Macaroni’s agility and deadly combat skills as he engages in a thrilling sword fight with Ijebu, who was nameless in the movie. The intense struggle eventually culminates in a shocking turn of events when Macaroni emerges victorious, effectively eliminating the threat Ijebu posed to the warlord.

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Explaining his surprising choice, Akinmolayan revealed that he came about the need for the two actors to have a strong moment in the movie few hours to shooting. He also explained that the stunts coordinator was able to come up with the masterstroke in just three hours.

Everyone is talking about this scene but my fav is the macaroni killing Ijebu scene. We came up with it 12hrs before the shoot. I told him to work something out for macaroni and Ijebu so they can have a strong moment in the film. In 3hrs, Adams came up with something and the actors became fighting machines. It was as if he programmed them. If you are serious about stunt work in your film, Adam is the person you should talk to,” he wrote.

jagun jagun

Hmm, Akinmolayan’s choice resonates with us too as we don’t also believe the flying warrior scene is really spectacular. What about you?

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AMAA Receives 389 Entries From 45 Countries, Screening Begins

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Despite the shocking demise of its founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and the Board of the global award organisation have approved the commencement of preparation for film selection ahead of the next edition of the awards.

The AMAA Screening College has opened to sort through the 389 entries from over 45 countries already submitted for consideration.

Renowned film critic and academic and chairman of the college, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, disclosed that the screening would be carried out in three stages before successful entries will be forwarded to the Board of the International Jury of the award.
The board will then determine the films that will make it into the 26 categories of the award.

“We have got the approval of the board to commence the process for this year’s AMAA award after the tragedy of the demise of the founder. AMAA is a legacy of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, which we will preserve and continue to nurture in her honour. The Screening College has started work. We have three stages of screening with the last stage being the College of Screeners and films selected from the three stages of selection will qualify for nomination as will be decided by Board of AMAA International Jury,” Husseini said.

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The first stage is the pre-selection, which will last four weeks. This stage involves film critics, film scholars, filmmakers, and enthusiasts from across the continent to ensure that only the best of the entries make the final selection cut.

Next, the college will begin screening at the level of the College of Screeners; this will last another two weeks before the jurors meet to decide the nominees that will be announced at the nomination event.

AMAA announced a call for entries on December 1, 2022, with a late call for entries fixed for June 30, 2023.

“Recall that the late founder announced timelines for AMAA 2023 at a press conference on December 1. The Board of AFA intends for us to work with that timeline. So we are working with the Board to ensure that we meet the date that PMO had fixed for the main award event,” the College Chairman added.

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“African Women Are Petty To Each Other” – Nollywood Actress, Mary Njoku Reveals

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Nollywood actress and ROKTV boss, Mary Njoku, has opined that African women are petty to each other which destroys the bond of sisterhood.

The movie star, in a post shared on her Instagram page, stated that little misunderstanding among women always leads to long-time malice.

Remmy Njoku advised that people should learn to let go of words not said to their faces and learn to tolerate each other, adding it is the only way they can grow together.

She wrote: “African women are so petty to each other. Small misunderstanding, 5 years of malice. I heard you said I am yellow, are you green? I texted you but you ignored, there is a chance I missed it.

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“You think you are better than me, sister! How do you know what I am thinking? You de inside my heard She said you said I heard what you said, has destroyed sisterhood.

“Dem say dem say, if she didn’t/can’t say it to your face, rest let learn to tolerate each other the way we tolerate our men. That’s the only way we can grow together”

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