New Nigerian Cinema

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New Nigerian Cinema or New Nigerian Cinema era (also known as New Wave[1][2] or controversially as New Nollywood[3][4]) is an emerging phase in Nigerian cinema, in which there became a major shift in the method of film production, from the video format, which came about during the video boom, back to the cinema method, which constituted the films produced in the Golden era of Nigerian cinema history.[5][6][7][8][9][10] The films in the New Wave are specifically characterized by improved narrative complexity, aesthetic nuance, much higher budgets and advanced overall production values, when compared to video films from the second generation of filmmakers.[2][11] They are mostly released theatrically, although some are still released directly on DVD.

Since the early 2000s, several discussions and conferences have been held, based on how to revamp the Nigerian film industry and bring about more professionalism like it used to be in the golden era. During this time, some other filmmakers, such as Tunde Kelani and Tade Ogidan tried to make "break away" films, which were supposedly different from the norm. The now defunct Amstel Malta Box Office production company also made several films with the aim of making a difference. However, all of these films were also produced in the same video format that the other filmmakers used, albeit with quality stories and better directions.[12][13] New Nigerian Cinema finally emerged in the mid-2000s with the release of films such as Irapada (2006) and The Amazing Grace (2006). The Figurine (2009) by Kunle Afolayan is generally regarded as the break out film, which heightened the media attention towards "New Nigerian Cinema" revolution, due to its critical and commercial success in Nigeria, as well as screenings in notable international film festivals.[4][14]

Few years into the 2000s, Nigeria began to experience the growth of cinemas, which was initially structured for the middle and upper class. The Silverbird Group is the first company to launch a series of modern Cinema houses across major cities in Nigeria, mostly situated in affluent areas and districts.[15][16] It launched its cinema chains in 2004, starting with the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island, Lagos. Not long after the establishment of Silverbird cinemas, Genesis Deluxe Cinemas and Ozone Cinemas were also launched, creating a competition in the cinema business.[16] Much later, in the 2010s, Film House cinemas and Viva cinemas also came into the picture, leading into wider availability of cinemas in the country, and most importantly, availability outside the affluent neighbourhoods.

Since 2006, there have been several "Project Nollywood" funds by the Nigerian Government, provided to filmmakers, in order to aid the production of high quality films, as well as to aid proper distribution infrastructure across the country.[17] The grants have also been used to help more Nigerian filmmakers to go for formal training in film schools.[18][19] As at 2020, the highest grossing film in Nigerian contemporary film history is Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020), which grossed approximately ₦636 million.[20] As of 2013, Nigerian cinema is rated as the third most valuable film industry in the world based on its worth and overall revenues generated.[21]

  1. ^ Majek, Susan (6 August 2013). "Interview: Lonzo Nzekwe Talks 'Anchor Baby,' Truth In Cinema, The New Nollywood & More..." IndieWire. Shadow and Act. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b Curry, Neil (19 November 2010). "'New Nigeria Cinema' sparks Nollywood renaissance". CNN. CNN. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  3. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (14 December 2014). "Hooray for Nollywood: Nigerian film industry raises the artistic bar". Aljazeera. Aljazeera America. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b Leu, Bic (14 January 2011). "Nollywood goes for new models to curb piracy". The Guardian Newspaper. Finding Nollywood. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  5. ^ Ekunno, Mike (3 January 2011). "'Nollywood and the new cinema'". 234NEXT News. Finding Nollywood. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  6. ^ Folch, Christine (27 April 2010). "An Intimate Chat with The Figurine's Kunle Afolayan and Ramsey Nouah". MTV. MTV IGGY. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Out of Africa: Kunle Afolayan bids to bring Nollywood cinema to the world". The Guardian. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  8. ^ Haynes, Jonathan (2014). ""New Nollywood": Kunle Afolayan". Project Muse. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  9. ^ "RITA DOMINIC EXCLUSIVE: 'I want to keep doing dirty characters'". The NET NG. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  10. ^ "New Nollywood Cinema: from home-video productions back to the screen". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  11. ^ "Lesson from new Nollywood: Theory from the global South second draft". Wired Space. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  12. ^ Osae-Brown, Funke (24 December 2013). "Nollywood improves quality, leaps to N1.72trn revenue in 2013". Business Day. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Nigeria's Nollywood Generated 1.72 Trillion Naira Revenue in 2013". Africa Music Law. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  14. ^ Thorburn, Jane. "NOLLYWOOD 2 Doing It Right". Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  15. ^ "History of Nollywood". Nificon. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  16. ^ a b Adelakun, Abimbola (19 February 2009). "Gradually, the cinemas return in Nigeria". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  17. ^ Okonkwo, Kasie (27 October 2013). "Ecobank: Brand Positioning Through Funding of Nollywood". This Day Live. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  18. ^ "Concerning Project Nollywood". This Day Live. 10 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  19. ^ "Editorial: Concerning Project Nollywood". Huhu Online. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  20. ^ Grey, Yousuph (2021-01-26). "Omo Ghetto: The Saga Becomes Highest-Grossing Nollywood Film of All Time". Premium Times.
  21. ^ Brown, Funke Osae (24 December 2013). "Nollywood improves quality, leaps to N1.72trn revenue in 2013". Business Day Newspaper. Business Day Online. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.