Nigerian filmmaker Chris Ihidero is calling for a shift in how Nollywood is perceived and treated, both locally and globally.
Emphasising the importance of the industry, Ihidero addressed the frequent and often unfair comparisons Nigerians make between Nollywood and Hollywood, urging people to focus instead on nurturing and uplifting Africa’s most influential film sector.
Speaking on The Morning Show, he said “sometimes we undermine the importance of what truly Nollywood is and we think it’s only going to be worthy when we put it side by side with Hollywood and that is the mistake we continue to make as there is no representation of black people in the visual art that is more important than Nollywood.”
Ihidero’s remarks reflect growing concerns among filmmakers and cultural commentators that Nollywood is too often critiqued through a Western lens, rather than being celebrated for its unique voice and cultural significance.
He further added, “that there is no conversation around black people without nollywood, sometimes we’re too critical of Nollywood’s essence, we need to be as hard as possible on its production on the materialistic aspect of Nollywood and what is represents but we are often too critical of its essence. we must be able to “walk and drink water at the same time” that must be applicable to it.”
Ihidero acknowledged the need for higher standards in production and professionalism but warned against allowing that critique to overshadow the industry’s deeper value and identity.
He further said, “But that Nollywood and what it represents for us as Nigerians, Africans and black people all over the world we knock too hard on that aspect of that.”
