Hollywood meets Nollywood as U.S. mission honours Nigerian creatives.

The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos hosted an event themed “Reel Connections from Hollywood to Nollywood” to celebrate eight Nigerian creative leaders fostering commercial and cultural ties between the film industries, according to a report by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.

​U.S. Consul General Brandon Hudspeth highlighted Nollywood’s growing role as a partner for investment and talent, noting how streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime bring Nigerian stories to global audiences. He emphasized that U.S. exchange initiatives—such as the American Film Showcase, Global Media Makers, and the International Visitor Leadership Program—build lasting networks that spark creative collaborations. “U.S. government exchange programs are not simply about what happens during the exchange,” Hudspeth remarked. “Their real impact is what happens when participants return home.”

​The evening featured the posthumous presentation of the Creative Industry Legend Award to veteran actor Olu Jacobs, accepted by his sons. Honorees also included AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude, actors and directors Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Afolayan, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Inkblot co-founder Zulu Oyibo, producer Josh Olaoluwa, and visual artist Uzoma Dunkwu.