Nollywood

Nollywood is the term used for Nigeria's film industry. The name combines "Nigeria" and "Hollywood", in the same way that "Bollywood" refers to India's film industry. The industry produces a large number of films each year, many of which are shot over a period of days or weeks, with limited budgets and basic equipment.

Nollywood films are made in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and other Nigerian languages. Common themes include family and inheritance, romance, business, religion, witchcraft, and urban violence. Films are distributed across Africa, the Caribbean, and African diaspora communities overseas.

Origins

Nollywood as it exists today developed from the video film market, which grew substantially in the early 1990s. Rather than producing expensive celluloid film, producers used video cameras and sold films on VHS cassettes and later VCD/DVD, which were distributed through street markets and shops to the public. The 1992 film Living in Bondage is widely credited as one of the works that established this model.

Production system and distribution

Nollywood's business model is centred on investors and traders operating from commercial hubs such as Idumota in Lagos and Onitsha. The investor finances production and then takes a share of revenue. Small budgets and short production schedules have enabled rapid output, but have also created challenges in quality control and copyright protection, as pirated copies can circulate easily.

Modern transformation

From the 2010s onwards, a phenomenon called "New Nollywood" emerged: higher-budget films screened in major cities' cinemas, and works distributed through internet platforms. This shifted revenue models—cinema box office and distribution deals became important sources of income. Nollywood films also participate in international film festivals.

Cultural and economic impact

Nollywood provides employment to many: actors, technicians, writers, and traders. It has also influenced the culture, fashion, and speech of African communities, with some actors becoming widely known across the continent. The Nigerian government and financial institutions have occasionally provided support programmes and loans to the film sector.