Emergence of Nollywood
The release of the film "Living in Bondage" by Kenneth Nnebue marks the birth of Nollywood. This film's success set the stage for the home video boom in Nigeria.
1992
1994
Rise of Home Video Market
The home video market in Nigeria began to flourish, with filmmakers producing low-budget films that were widely distributed on VHS tapes, making movies accessible to a broad audience.
2000
Nollywood Becomes a Term
The term "Nollywood" was coined, drawing a parallel with Hollywood and Bollywood, to describe the burgeoning Nigerian film industry.
2002
International Recognition
Nollywood gained international attention, with Nigerian films being showcased at film festivals around the world, highlighting the industry's growing influence.
2004
Nollywood Foundation International Film Festival
The first Nollywood Foundation International Film Festival was held in Lagos, providing a platform for Nigerian filmmakers to showcase their work and network with international peers.
2006
Digital Revolution
The transition from analog to digital filmmaking began, allowing for higher quality productions and more efficient distribution methods.
2009
Nollywood's Economic Impact
A UNESCO report highlighted Nollywood as the second-largest film industry in the world by volume, producing over 2,000 films annually and contributing significantly to Nigeria's economy.
2010
Nollywood Reinvented
A new wave of filmmakers, often referred to as "New Nollywood," began to emerge, focusing on higher production values and more diverse storytelling.
2012
Government Support
The Nigerian government launched Project Nollywood, a $200 million initiative to support the film industry through grants and loans for production and distribution.
2013
Nollywood at the Oscars
Nigerian films began to gain recognition from the Academy Awards, with "The Figurine" being considered for submission in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
2015
Netflix and Nollywood
Netflix began acquiring Nigerian films, making Nollywood content available to a global audience and further boosting the industry's international profile.
2016
Highest-Grossing Nollywood Film
"The Wedding Party" became the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time, showcasing the commercial potential of the industry.
2018
Nollywood Travel Film Festival
The Nollywood Travel Film Festival was established to promote Nigerian films globally, with screenings in cities such as Toronto, Hamburg, and Atlanta.
2020
Streaming Boom
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards online streaming, with platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video increasing their Nollywood content offerings.
2022
Nollywood's Global Reach
Nigerian films continued to gain international acclaim, with titles like "Citation" and "Oloture" receiving critical praise and streaming success worldwide.
2024
Continued Growth and Innovation
Nollywood remains a dynamic and evolving industry, with ongoing innovations in filmmaking techniques, storytelling, and distribution, ensuring its place as a significant cultural and economic force.
