Hollywood moves into Nollywood, scouting African films

Nollywood is no longer just Africa’s largest film industry but a growing commercial partner for Hollywood, with Nigerian creatives helping build stronger commercial ties between Los Angeles and Lagos, Tanzania Times reports.

The US Consulate General in Lagos honoured eight Nigerian creative leaders who helped make the partnership possible, many of them alumni of American government exchange programmes. The event, themed “Reel Connections from Hollywood to Nollywood,” drew leading figures from Nigeria’s film and television industries, senior government officials and industry supporters.

Consul General Brandon Hudspeth said Nollywood is a growing source of content, talent and investment opportunities for American companies seeking to engage with African markets. He noted that Nigerian stories and talent now reach audiences in the US and globally through Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ and YouTube, creating new openings for collaboration and investment.

“U.S. government exchange programs are not simply about what happens during the exchange,” Hudspeth said.

He added: “Their real impact is what happens when participants return home — the relationships they bring with them, the ideas they put into action, the creative collaborations they build, and the next generation they inspire.”

The highlight was a posthumous Creative Industry Legend Award to late veteran actor Olu Jacobs, whose career spanned more than five decades and included roles in Hollywood films. His sons received it on behalf of the family.

“Olu Jacobs’ life embodied the kind of creative exchange that continues to connect Nigeria’s film industry with the United States and the world,” Hudspeth said.

Other honourees included AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude, actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, filmmakers Kunle Afolayan and Bolanle Austen-Peters, Inkblot Productions co-founder Zulu Oyibo, producer Josh Olaoluwa and Emmy-winning artist Uzoma Dunkwu.