Reinventing Nollywood: The impact of online funding and distribution on Nigerian cinema

Abstract

The Nigerian film industry, often referred to as Nollywood, is currently experiencing significant transformations in its mode of production and distribution. These far-reaching transformations are driven by tech-savvy Nigerian film-makers who are willing to consider innovative models in the film-making practice – from crowdfunding to content distribution via online platforms – in their effort to become relevant in the changing digital global marketplace. Drawing on pertinent case studies and in-depth interviews with stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry, this article suggests that advances in digital technologies, such as the Internet and digital media, are creating new ways for new-generation film-makers in Nigeria to fund and circulate their creative work to a vast global audience.