MOVIES

Nollywood’s 3 Biggest Problems According To Moses Babatope, Ex-Filmhouse MD

Published

7 months ago

May 2, 2024

3 Nollywood's Problems According To Moses Babatope | Fab.ng

The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, is really successful, but there’s still room for improvement. Moses Babatope, who co-founded Filmhouse Group and used to be the managing director of FilmOne, recently spoke about some of the biggest challenges facing Nollywood.

One of the main problems, according to Babatope, is that it’s too easy for just anyone to make a movie in Nollywood. There isn’t enough professional training available. There aren’t clear guidelines or limitations on who can enter the industry. This can lead to films that aren’t of high quality.

Moses Babatope believes there are a few things Nollywood needs to do to reach its full potential:

More professional training: People who want to make movies in Nollywood should have access to better training programmes to improve their skills.

Increased funding: The industry needs more money to invest in higher-quality productions.

Specialised services: There should be companies that provide specific services needed for filmmaking, such as special effects or costume design.

Collaboration: People working in Nollywood should work together more to share ideas and resources.

“We’ve had people just waking up and just saying that they are an actor or they are a producer, with no training whatsoever. It’s hard to knock them because there are people that have demonstrated they can also wake up one day and do it well,” he said.

“Unfortunately because we have those exceptions, it has now become the norm that anybody can just wake up from anywhere and say ‘I’m creative. I’m doing it.’ There are no real rudiments to go through. No real process. No certifications to say, ‘I’m a professional actor. I’m a professional actress. I’m certified in producing and directing.”

Babatope also brought up the importance of getting more money for Nollywood.

This funding would be used for two main things:

Developing cinemas: more movie theatres need to be built, and existing ones need to be improved. This will provide a better movie-going experience for audiences.

Fighting piracy: Stealing and illegally sharing movies is a big problem in Nollywood. More money would allow the industry to fight piracy and protect its films.

“Nollywood needs funding in several areas like in cinemas. That’s something that should be taken very seriously because that is the outlet for monetization,” he said.

“We just don’t have enough funding or support to build the cinemas and build them fast enough,” he said.

Babatope also suggested that Nollywood could improve its marketing by partnering with more film marketing companies. These companies specialise in promoting movies and could help Nollywood films reach a wider audience.

He additionally mentioned the need for more involvement from technology companies in the industry. These tech players could potentially offer solutions to some of Nollywood’s challenges, such as the lack of production insurance.

Production insurance helps protect filmmakers from financial losses if something goes wrong during filming. By having more tech companies involved, Nollywood could explore ways to make production insurance more accessible and affordable for filmmakers.

“I’d like to see more film marketing companies. I would like to see more tech players in the space, tackling a number of problems that we have. We don’t have a proper structure around production insurance,” he said.

Moses Babatope also said Nollywood needs government help and good industry rules to grow even faster.

“There’s no industry without challenges, if we continue to run the industry in the independent fractured way, then the problems will get more,” he said.

Get more updates here.

Related Topics:Featured Moses Babatope Movies Nollywood

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“Gladiator II” Records ₦99.1 Million In Its Opening Weekend At The Nigerian Box Office

Published

2 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Reporter

Gladiator II records ₦99.1 million in its opening weekend | fab.ng

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II has taken the Nigerian box office by storm, earning an impressive ₦99.1 million during its opening weekend. This remarkable feat positions the epic as the second-highest opening film of the year in Nigeria.

Before its weekend release, Gladiator II generated significant momentum. On Wednesday, it earned ₦8.13 million, followed by ₦8.96 million on Thursday.

An advanced screening earlier in the week pulled in ₦17 million across two days, showcasing strong local anticipation. These milestones cement the film as one of 2024’s top-performing titles in Nigeria.

The sequel, directed by Ridley Scott, follows Lucius, the nephew of Maximus, the heroic protagonist of the original Gladiator. After ruthless Roman emperors seize his home, Lucius embraces the life of a gladiator to seek revenge and restore Rome’s glory.

The film delves into timeless themes of vengeance and redemption, set against the backdrop of ancient Rome.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II has captivated Nigerian audiences. The movie’s strong local performance underscores the growing appeal of global cinema in Nigeria.

On the international stage, Gladiator II debuted with an estimated $87 million, marking the largest opening weekend for any Ridley Scott film.

This success highlights the sequel’s long-awaited arrival, nearly two decades after Gladiator premiered in 2000. The development of the sequel spanned years, with numerous script drafts considered before the final version emerged in 2018. Paul Mescal joined the cast in early 2023, solidifying the project’s momentum.

Written by David Scarpa (Napoleon) in collaboration with Peter Craig, Gladiator II was distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Filming took place between June 2023 and January 2024, delivering a cinematic masterpiece that bridges nostalgia and modern storytelling.

Check out more movie updates here.

MOVIES

Watch The Trailer For Jade Osiberu’s “Christmas In Lagos”

Published

3 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Reporter

Christmas In Lagos: Watch the trailer | fab.ng

Christmas is about to get a thrilling twist with the release of the trailer for Jade Osiberu’s highly anticipated film, Christmas in Lagos. Set to premiere on Prime Video on December 20th, the film promises an exciting blend of love, drama, and self-discovery during the festive season.

The story follows Fiyin, played by Teniola Aladese, as she navigates life after heartbreak. Convinced her best friend Elo (Shalom Obiago) could be her soulmate, she faces an emotional twist when Elo returns from New York, ready to propose to his secret girlfriend, Yagazie (Angel Anosike). Their tangled relationships set the stage for heartfelt moments and unexpected revelations.

Simultaneously, Gbemi (Shaffy Bello), a sophisticated 59-year-old, finds herself torn between her longtime boyfriend (Wale Ojo) and the rekindled spark of her high school sweetheart (Richard Mofe-Damijo). Her journey explores the complexities of love and second chances.

Adding to the drama, Ivie (Rayxia Ojo) arrives in Lagos from London, seeking the ultimate “Detty December” experience. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets Ajani (Ladipoe), leading to a romantic and transformative holiday.

With a stellar cast and captivating storylines, Christmas in Lagos promises a festive celebration filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Sharing the trailer, Jade said,

CHRISTMAS IN LAGOS IS HERE!!! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

So proud to present to you the trailer for my new film 💕. Grateful to everyone who worked on this film, our amazing cast and super talented crew.

We set out to make a film that shows Lagos (and Naija) off in its full Detty December glory and when the film is out in exactly a month from today, I think you guys will be really proud of the film 💕

The holiday romance brings together a stellar Nollywood cast, spotlighting talents like Shaffy Bello, Wale Ojo, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Shalom C. Obiago, Rayxia Ojo, Teniola Aladese, Angel Anosike, and Folu Storms.

Adding a musical flair, the film also showcases top Afrobeats stars, including Waje, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, and Ladipoe, seamlessly blending acting and music for an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Watch the trailer of Christmas in Lagos below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jade Osiberu (@jadeosiberu)

See some behind-the-scenes photos below.

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A post shared by Jade Osiberu (@jadeosiberu)

MOVIES

“The Interrogation Of Lotanna” Bags 6 Nominations At The FilmJoint Awards 2025

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Reporter

The Interrogation of Lotanna: 6 nominations at TFA 2025 | fab.ng

Reginald Jumbo’s compelling short film “The Interrogation of Lotanna” has earned prestigious recognition with six nominations at the upcoming 2025 Film Joint Awards.

The nominations span major categories. They include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Indigenous Film (Nigeria), Best African Film, and the Best Jury Award for Outstanding Storytelling.

The FilmJoint platform stands as a vital global initiative that connects short filmmakers with international audiences. They provide them with a stage to showcase their creative works.

Through its annual awards ceremony, FilmJoint celebrates exceptional short films that advance African cinema’s artistic and cultural landscape.

Producers Ibukun Serah Adetoyinbo and Oreoluwa Obadofin bring to life a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of civil unrest.

The plot follows Captain Ardo, a military commander tasked with suppressing an eastern rebellion led by the elusive Zuru Nkwu.

After months of fruitless searches, intelligence leads Ardo to interrogate a suspect named Lotanna. Despite enduring severe torture, Lotanna steadfastly maintains his innocence throughout the ordeal.

The film showcases powerful performances from an ensemble cast. The cast features William Chinoyenem, Cassey Oritsejolomi, Anthony Nwahiri, Francis Sule, Michael Embraiz, and Mr. Rala.

Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their respective roles, contributing to the film’s emotional impact and storytelling prowess.

These nominations underscore the film’s artistic merit and its significant contribution to African cinema. The recognition from the FilmJoint Awards particularly highlights the film’s excellence in storytelling, direction, and performance.

Meanwhile, it also acknowledges its cultural significance as both a Nigerian and African production. The winners will be revealed at the 2025 FilmJoint Awards ceremony, where “The Interrogation of Lotanna” stands as a strong contender across multiple categories.

Check out more updates here.