More than 400 movies were released by the industry during the year, with 95 percent of them released with part two. Some of those extending into second or third parts had their sequels in titles different from what their opening parts answered to.
Sometimes the end product get muddled up so much they become a far cry from what was originally intended. And even when directors find out the discrepancies, they still refuse to re-shoot and go on to role out into the market. On some occasions we had situations where for example, some scenes, shots or cuts found in the middle of the clip resurfacing towards the end without any alteration, costume, hairdo et al.
Censors Board Distribution Network
The major issue that caused so much controversy which was brought to the attention of the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo and former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr. was censors board distribution network. The year witnessed the official launch of a new distribution network, by the Director General of the National Video and Film Censors Board (NVFCB), Mr Emeka Mba. Speaking at the launch, Mba said: “ We felt there was a need for us to begin to develop and improve on the distribution and production platform in Nigeria. We realised that the films produced are not evenly distributed across the country. We felt that most films released in Nigeria were just distributed in some few cities – Lagos, Onitsha and Aba”. But the good intention mark the beginning of a battle, which ran between the board and private interests in the industry, who then felt threatened and thought the industry they toiled so much to build may soon be hijacked from them by money bags.
Project Nollywood and EcoBank
While the heat of this battle was on, four producers, Charles Novia, Fred Amata and Fidelis Duker and Chico Ejiro came together to form Project Nollywood , a formidable production company, which lead to the working and assistance relationship that got formed between Nollywood and Ecobank. The relationship marked the beginning of the involvement of the financial sector in the activities of the industry. Novia said, the idea of Project Nollywood, is to produce and distribute quality movies."We have produced four quality movies so far and we already have registered distribution outlets in 20 states of the federation, this has also reduced the activities of pirates as more copies are made available to the market in the right quantity. They however send a message to all their colleagues: “Let us give the Censors Board the benefit of the doubt in this matter, because we are of the opinion that the initiative will work out fine”.
First Phase of the Road Show
The Mayfair Hotel in London was the venue for many of the interest groups in the industry in Nigeria as some of the industry’s works were packaged for international audiences with the ones who were at the venue in England also benefiting from a jaw-jaw get-together. Censors board, organisers of the first Nollywood road show also packaged seminars, workshops and conferences. Even the Federal Government was also represented.
NFC Involves Foreign Partners
The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) got the foreign missions of France, Spain and some others involved in its activities. These diplomats pledged to continue to assist the motion picture industry in the country.
Earlier in the year, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey laid the foundation stone of a multi-purpose building at the National Film Institute in Jos, that would serve as a research and training college for the industry. Mr. Afolabi Adesanya. The Managing Director of NFC, told the Minister that the completion of the two projects would serve the production and post-production needs of students, and enhance professional training and capacity building, especially with SHOOT, an annual seminars and workshop organized by NFC to enhance the works of both students and professionals in the industry.
Studio Tinapa
The unique addition of Tinapa movie studios during the official commissioning of the Tinapa Business Resort earlier this year in Calabar provided another platform for the production of films that will be shot in Africa and beyond. This studio gave Nollywood recognition and a place in Nigeria. Tinapa marks the first place in Nigeria, where the name Nollywood is made visible. Stakeholders in the industry were grateful to the former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, for this and for assisting the industry in other ways, especially in how he extended a helping hand in the recording of Amazing Grace, a movie produced by Jeta Amata.
Nite of Razzmatazz and Glamour
November 25 at The Coliseum was 2007 Nollywood Nite. It was not only a very attractive and interesting one, it also packaged so much side attractions that made it an unforgettable evening for those who witnessed it. Musical shows and comedy sessions did their best to add value to the night when the industry’s guild of actors, directors, producers, costumiers, make-up artists, technical directors, and scriptwriters got together. A good section of the bests were rewarded for their contributions to the development of the industry. Among those who went away with award plaques included such evergreen actors as Olu Jacobs, stage queen; Toun Oni, veteran actor and producer Eddie Ugbomah, Clarion Chukwurah, Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, Tunde Kelani, Justus Esiri, Joke Silva, Emma Edokpayi and Jide Jide Kosoko .
AMBO 3
The year’s edition of Amstel Malt Box Office (AMBO) was celebrated with glamour, and lots of fireworks at the Ocean View Restaurant, venue of the triumphant entry of the housemates. It was its third edition. Okechukwu Ukeje celebrated his triumphant entry into the industry. Dakore Egbuson was made the face of Amstel Malt, this marks the first time a Nollywood Star, is taking up the account of the Amstel Malt commercial.
Goethe Takes Nollywood On
Directors in the movie industry had a two-day seminar, which was followed by a one-day round table discussion at the Goethe Institute in Lagos. The event was used to bring all factors affecting production in the industry into focus. Among them were techniques, distribution, opportunities and the art of co-production. This is the first time Nollywood’s activity was included in Goethe’s timetable.
AMAA, Many Accolades
The year’s edition of African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) took a new dimension with the entire entertainment industry storming Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
The famous American comedienne, Monique also came to town for the event.
Sitanda, the Nigerian Breweries blockbuster movie, with original screenplay by Isu Chukwu and Ali Nuhu, and Amazing Grace, produced by Jeta shone at the award.
Olu Jacobs won the Best Actor of the Year for his role in the movie, Dancing Heart, while Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha won the Best Actress of the Year award.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) honoured Peace Anyiam, the organiser of AMAA with the prestigious African Vision Award for Innovative Initiative at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in France.
Africa Magic Celebrates Four Years
The Africa Magic Channel celebrated four years of showing Nollywood Movies to the African Continent. The initial introduction of the channel fours year ago was a major milestone in the sector as it helped to improve the distribution of Nollywood films to the African continent.
Nigeria Movie Awards
The city of Calabar witnessed the first gathering of movie stars, as the city for the first time movie award, The Nigeria Movie Award (NIGMA). Mr. Greg Fiberesima, President, Sylvaline Entertainment and organizer, extended awards the legends of the industry both dead and living. Fashion, photography, costume, make-up and other roles in filmmaking were brought to view. Director of prography, Thisday Newspaper, Mr. Sumi Smart Cole was also recipients of one of the awards.
Bob Television
This year's theme for The Best of the Best of Television ( BOB TV) was Building Bridges, Mrs. Amaka Igwe, festival director, made it known to all present, that
It was significant because of the many hurdles African cinema has to cross to get to where it presently finds itself.
Amaka also made a next line of action known as she officially announced the taking over of BOB TV, by a foundation, saying her family had bore the cost during the few years of it’s existence.
Lagos and Abuja Film Festival Nollywood Stars at Celebrity Takes 2
Some of Nollywood Stars made quite an impression at the just concluded Celebrity takes 2, reality dance show. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Kunle Afolayan came into the programme as contestants while Kate Henshaw, Fred Amata and Stella Damsus were guest judges.
Passage
Francis Agu, Ebereonwu and Joseph Adekwagh passed on this year. Their death marked a dark period industry as it also challenged those living to come up with better progammes that would enabled them to be their brothers keeper.
Agu, an actor who came into limelight through Checkmate a television serial created by Amaka Igwe, which was aired on the Nigerian Television Authority ( NTA) died at Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba following a protracted case and complications from peptic ulcer.
Ebereonwu, a poet, and script writer died of auto crash, few minutes after he left some of his colleagues at Ojez Restaurant, after discussing the burial ceremony of his late mother’s burial.. His gold colored Honda Odyssey car skidded off the right lane unto the on-coming traffic lane and ran unto a molue.
Joseph Adekwagh slumped and died while serving as a master of ceremonies at the 40 years on stage party of veteran actor, Lari Williams, at the Cinema hall 1 of the National Art Theatre
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