10 important things Nigerian filmmakers said at world press conference

chibumga izuzu

September 16, 2016 4:51 PM

The City to City world press conference featured Genevieve Nnaji, Niyi Akinmolayan, Kemi Adetiba, Kunle Afolayan, Omoni Oboli, among others.

City to City Press Conference

The 2016 Toronto International Film Festivals City to City programme is focusing on Lagos.

As part of the programme, an opportunity to engage with the delegates attending the festival from Nigeria was created, featuring filmmakers including Kunle Afolayan, Omoni oboli , Genevieve Nnaji, Izu Ojukwu, Kemi Adetiba, Niyi Akinmolayan, Daniel Oriahi, Abba Makama, and Uduak-Obong Patrick.

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Check out 10 important things that were said:

1. "This is the biggest exposure that Nollywood has gotten since existence, because we have first time directors on this panel. I have never seen this happen anywhere." - Kunle Afolayan.

2. "What has got us here is being true to ourselves. Original stories." - Izu Ojukwu.

3. "Just Not Married" broke the norm that you really don't need a superstar to have a good run anywhere, even in the cinemas - Uduak-Obong Patrick.

4. "I had a lot of big names on the set of "The Wedding Party", so I had to manage egos, skill, and everyone knows this is your first film, so, everyone is probably sceptical, but they are trusting you with their skill." - Kemi Adetiba.

5. "Nollywood has fresh stories. It's original, it's fresh, if there are bored, they should look to us. Look to Nollywood. We have great stories, beautiful African stories." - Omoni Oboli.

6. 'I feel like we don't have films that the young people can really relate with the characters" - Abba Makama

7. "Titanic" is a Nollywood story. Rich family, they don't want a poor kid in their family, but if you tell it on a sinking boat, then it's everything. The African culture is built on stories. Imagine if we can take some of our stories and put them on a larger scale. Witchcraft is great story telling if you know how to do it." - Niyi Akinmolayan.

8. "We have the numbers if we even look at it as a business. I think it's about time they start to look onto us the way they look at Bollywood. Our numbers don't end with us, they transcend across Africa. We do have a following, it is a matter of taking advantage of the numbers." - Genevieve Nnaji.

9. "If we are making films, we are not necessarily doing it to get validation from America. We just want to make films good enough for anyone, anywhere to watch. And hopefully, we will get some recognition from that." - Niyi Akinmolayan.

10. "We are independent filmmakers working with very limited funds, and we have to do the best we have to do to make the films." - Daniel Oriahi.

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The press conference was anchored by the artistic director of the Toronto International Film Festival, Cameron Bailey.

On Tuesday, August 16, 2016, TIFF announced eight Nollywood movies which will screen as part of the City to City programme.

The eighth year for the City to City programme showcases filmmakers living and working in Lagos, regardless of where their films are set.

The movies include "Okafor's Law," "The Arbitration," "The Wedding Party," "Taxi Driver," "Just Not Married," "Green White Green," "76," and "93 Days."

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