NollywoodWeek Film Festival co-founder Serge Noukoué on its 13th edition • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Nollywood: The Nigerian film industry, currently the second-largest film producer globally.
• Voyage: The thematic focus of the 13th Nollywood Week Film Festival, emphasizing cross-border collaboration and global expansion.
• Streaming Transition: The shift in the industry as major global platforms (Netflix, Amazon) adjust their commissioning strategies, creating space for homegrown African platforms.
• Audience Segmentation: The distinction between mass-market content (YouTube) and premium, ambitious cinematic productions.
• AI Integration: The use of Artificial Intelligence as a tool to level the playing field for African filmmakers to compete with Western industries.

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1. The State of the Nollywood Industry

Nollywood is currently valued at over $6 billion and is experiencing a period of rapid growth and transition. The industry is moving away from its traditional model—where films were primarily produced by Nigerians for Nigerians—toward an "expansionist model." This involves Nigerian filmmakers actively collaborating with international partners, such as projects involving Kenya and Japan, to broaden the scope of their storytelling.

2. The "Voyage" Theme and Cross-Border Collaboration

The 13th edition of the Nollywood Week Film Festival in Paris centers on the theme of "Voyage." This theme reflects the industry's desire to take its cameras beyond Nigerian borders.

• Key Example: The festival opens with East West Love, a collaborative film between Nigeria and Kenya.
• Significance: These collaborations allow audiences to experience diverse realities and cultures, addressing a historical gap where such international narratives were previously unavailable to viewers.

3. The Streaming Landscape and Market Dynamics

The industry is currently navigating a "mixed picture" regarding streaming platforms. While platforms like Netflix and Amazon were instrumental in taking Nollywood global, they are currently scaling back on commissioning and acquiring titles.

• The Opportunity: S. Ncoy, co-founder of the festival, argues that this contraction is not necessarily a crisis but a "new beginning." It creates a vacuum that is being filled by emerging, homegrown African streaming platforms.
• Market Segmentation: There is a clear distinction in the ecosystem:
  • YouTube: Serves as a platform for high-volume, accessible content.
  • Cinemas/Premium Platforms: Reserved for more elaborate, ambitious, and high-quality cinematic works.

4. The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The festival includes dedicated panel discussions on AI, featuring experts like Malik FBA.

• Perspective: Unlike the European focus on regulation, the African perspective—driven by the continent’s status as the youngest in the world—tends to view AI as an opportunity.
• Strategic Advantage: AI is seen as a tool to "level the playing field," allowing African industries to compete more effectively with Western counterparts by enhancing production capabilities and special effects. The core challenge identified is not the technology itself, but how it is "harnessed" to benefit the industry.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

Nollywood is at a pivotal turning point. Despite the pressures of shifting streaming strategies and the rapid evolution of technology, the industry remains resilient. The quality of storytelling continues to rise, evidenced by international recognition (e.g., films appearing at Cannes). The future of the industry lies in its ability to balance its massive, accessible output on platforms like YouTube with high-end, collaborative, and technologically advanced productions that appeal to a global audience. The transition is characterized by a move toward greater international integration and the adoption of new technologies to maintain its competitive edge.