Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, has rapidly evolved, showing the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian filmmakers and their willingness to experiment with storytelling. With its unique blend of drama, romance, comedy, and social commentary, Nollywood continues to captivate audiences globally, adding a distinctive voice to the rich tapestry of world cinema.
Recognizing Nollywood’s impact, TikTok dedicated the month of November to celebrating the industry, highlighting its diverse films across varying budgets and genres. The culmination of this month-long celebration was the highly anticipated Nollywood Summit on November 23, where TikTok, a leading entertainment platform, emphasized the power and creativity of Nollywood.
Throughout November, TikTok featured success stories from notable public figures and publishers who have excelled on the platform. As part of the summit, 100 key stakeholders, including publishers, media representatives, studios, and performers, gained insights into utilizing TikTok for global success. They received valuable guidance from leading TikTok publishers and participated in a masterclass led by TikTok’s team, focusing on effective platform utilization throughout the entire production cycle.
A noteworthy achievement is the Nollywood hashtag, which has garnered over 6.9 billion video views, with more than 280,000 published videos. This positions Nollywood as a rising star in the global movie industry. To provide context, Bollywood boasts 133 billion video views, and Hollywood follows with 37.6 billion video views. These figures underscore Nollywood’s rapid ascent, signalling its potential to rival Hollywood and Bollywood in both popularity and success.
Eso Dike, a Nigerian actor, credits his global outreach to the vibrant TikTok communities, expressing that,
“TikTok connects people from various backgrounds worldwide, offering diverse methods to share stories. It’s a fantastic platform to showcase my talents to a broad and varied audience, effectively increasing visibility and engagement.”
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Bianca Sibiya, Head of Content Operations for TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizes the vision to unlock the cultural significance of Nollywood on TikTok, surpassing conventional barriers with the potential for high-quality productions. Sibiya said that,
“Nollywood embraces TikTok to share productions with unlimited creative possibilities, from pre-and post-production to promoting films and experimenting with new storytelling techniques.”
In the words of creator and actor, Jim Iyke,
“TikTok is a melting pot that unites individuals through art and craftsmanship, offering a straightforward platform to express thoughts and perspectives on global issues. TikTok has propelled our art forward, taking it to global audiences without intermediaries, cutting through obstacles we faced when disseminating our work, and delivering it directly to consumers.”
Microbiologist-turned-Nollywood star, Kate Henshaw shares that the TikTok community has provided her with a platform to showcase her playful and humorous side. She underscores the significance of authenticity for aspiring actors, actresses, and producers saying,
“Each individual’s creative process is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to content production. Consistency is key; maintain a steady output of your work and avoid limiting yourself in creativity. In acting, infuse life into your role, regardless of whether it’s a small or substantial part. Your commitment and passion will shine through, no matter the size of the role.”
Actor and reality show maestro, Chidi Mokeme commends TikTok’s global reach, highlighting its role in making entertainment accessible and democratizing the creative and knowledge-based industries. He emphasized the unique opportunity TikTok provides for Nollywood stakeholders to engage with a global audience and connect with a younger demographic.
“The platform’s algorithm and user interface align well with the entertainment industry. By leveraging TikTok, Nollywood stakeholders can increase visibility, drive engagement, and attract new opportunities for collaborations and monetisation.”
The Nollywood Summit serves as evidence of TikTok’s dedication to supporting and empowering the Nigerian film industry, amplifying the voices and creations of the talented individuals within Nollywood.
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