Sometimes you have to clap for yourself

The AMVCA red carpet has always been highly coveted, not only by the actors but by fashion designers and stylists who conceive and create bespoke outfits for the stars, hoping to get a nod of approval from viewers and several best-dressed lists. It’s a long and nerve-wracking competition that usually goes on for weeks, even months, and nobody knows what to expect until the very last minute. I assure you it’s all very fascinating - and often well worth it. But away from the glitz and glamour, the event’s sole purpose is to celebrate the Nollywood industry and how far it has come in 30 years. With an annual output of nearly 2,500 films, Nigeria’s Nollywood is the world’s second-largest film industry, behind India’s Bollywood.

It all began in 1992 when Chris Obi Rapu created the groundbreaking two-part drama Living in Bondage. Its massive success gave way to the birth of what was then known as Nigerian home videos. Of a truth, the acting may have been a little melodramatic and the production a little bit wonky, but Nigerians loved it. We finally had something that belonged to us. Largely self-funded, home videos became a booming Nigerian industry that grew in influence across the continent.

Not stopping there, it turned its stars into celebrity household names, while also providing a framework of reference for its counterparts in other African countries. As this “massive export of culture” continued to grow, it also underwent a sea of changes. The focus gradually shifted from quantity to quality, tape to the big screen, and local to global.

The rise of Nollywood has surprised critics and noncritics alike. Over the past two decades, it has become a cultural phenomenon that continues to attract millions of movie fans across Africa and globally.

It has become so successful that Western streaming services have made distribution deals, allowing Nollywood’s latest movies to gain global views.

The challenges and capacity issues that still plague the industry are many, and sometimes it is easy to forget its triumphs. However, we should not forget that Nollywood has come a long way in telling our stories, providing employment to millions and promoting our culture. With a few more tweaks to its original blueprint, we are well underway to taking over the world.