Nollywood filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan has encouraged young creators in the Nigerian film industry to speak up and take bold steps with their ideas. He shared this message in a recent Instagram post after speaking with a group of upcoming filmmakers.
He noticed deep frustration and sadness in their conversations. The young filmmakers want to make films and reach audiences. Many of them fear trolling or being blacklisted if they share their thoughts on what needs to improve in Nollywood.
Niyi Akinmolayan shared an important truth about the industry. Most big names and key players in Nollywood do not have everything figured out. In fact, nobody knows anything for sure when it comes to filmmaking in Nollywood. This lack of certainty makes it difficult to attract investments to the sector.
He pointed out that many films that became big successes happened because the filmmakers ignored advice from established stakeholders.
The director advised young creators with new ideas on distribution, exhibition, or promotion of films not to accept claims that those ideas will fail. If the so-called experts were truly certain, they would all produce hit films every time.
On the subject of trolls, he said they quickly lose interest and move on to other gossip, such as stories about people sleeping with someone.
Akinmolayan urged the young creators to join the conversation in Nollywood. He told them to execute their ideas wherever they can and watch what happens as a result. See his post below:
