It started as a little "Play Play" experiment
with the Nigerian film industry in the mid nineteen nineties, but has now sky rocketed
exponentially into a multimillion dollar industry and the second largest film industry
in the world in terms of films produced annually, while garnering mind boggling
accolade as the second largest employer for the Nigerian economy.
Interestingly, Nollywood as the industry is now
called worldwide has positively influenced other African and Caribbean nations.
Nollywood actors are now recognized all over the world and names like; Genevieve
Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Jim Iyke, Ramsey Noah, Olu Jacobs, Desmond Elliott,
Aki and Pawpaw, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Patience Ozokwor, Nkem Owoh, Rita Dominic,
Joke Silva, Justus Esiri, Step-Nora Okere, Rachel Oniga, Zach Orji, Stella Damascus-Aboderin,
Dakore Egbuson, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Pete & Rita Edochie, Amachi Muonagor, Clem Ohanaeze,
Clarion Chukwura, Liz Benson, Ngozi Ezeonu, Regina Askia, Jide Kosoko, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal,
Kanayo O. Kanayo, Kenneth Okwonkwo, Emeka Ike, Obi Osotule, Segun Arinze, Enebeli
Elebuwa, Adebayo Salami, Eucharia Anunobi, Bimbo Akintola, Sola Fosudo and Toyin
Shobowale have now been joined by new breed thespians: Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, Mercy
Johnson, Mike Ezuruonye, Van Vicker, Nadia Buari, Majid Michel, Tonto Dike, Yvonne
Nelson, Yemi Blaq, Nonso Diobi, Francis Duru, Monalisa Chinda, Beverly Naya, Rita
Johnson, Vida Darko, Oge Okeye, Jackie Appiah, Kofi, Adjorlolo Dumelo, Fathia Balogun
and Ebbe Bassey.
Seasoned producers such as Eddie Ugbomah, Tunde
Kelani, Amaka Igwe, Peace Anyiam Osigwe, Remmy Jess, Don Pedro Obaseki, Ossy Affason,
Paul Obazele, Chris Ikejimbe, Teco Benson, Kingsley Ogoro, Ego Boyo, Obafemi Lasode,
Prospect Ilemchukwu, Mahmoud Alli Balogun, Andy Best, Elochukwu Anigbogu, Madu Chikwendu,
Andy Amenachi, Tade Ogidan, the Ejiro and Amata brothers, Ikechukwu Onyeka, Ralph
Nwadike, Sunny Collins, OJ, Dickson Iroegbu, Emmanuel Isikaku, Charles Novia and
Yinka Quadri are being complimented by new wave producers, Emem Isong, Stephanie
Okereke, Chineze Anyaene, Kunle Afolayan, Shirley Frimpong Manso, Abdusalam Mumuni,
"The Governor" Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Chidi Chikere, Izu Ojukwu, Saheed
Balogun, Funke Akindele and many other great producers.
Across the Atlantic in the USA, a new Nollywood
genre is emerging with top producers like Pascal Atuma, Don Okolo, Bethels Agomuoh,
Vigil Chime, Chisom Oz-Lee, Mike Nwaesei, Ade Bamiro, Chima Augustine, George Kalu,
Frank Rajah Arase, Kwame Boadu, Nana Ampen and JJ Bunny. The bug has bitten the
Caribbean and new producers and actors have emerged, touting the Nollywood phenomenon.
Nollywood has become a global brand, but now, here come the detractors: Internet
criminals, lurking anonymously, deep in the World Wide Web, threaten the very existence
of Nollywood. They wait patiently for hardworking producers to seek rare funding,
expend creative energy to produce movies which must be commercially viable to guarantee
business continuity. They wait for a movie’s release and pounce, screening it illegally
with impunity on their websites, thereby infringing on the rights of the producer.
It is pertinent to note, that some of these websites receive advertising support
from major American firms who place banners on the sites. We urge these publishers
to seek verification from FAN, USA. We will inform them of the legitimate websites
who have received permission and authorization to steam the content.
FAN, USA has engaged in a well structured process
for copyrighting the new Nollywood films in the US and Europe. With the full backing
of the Nigerian film industry, and help from major institutions in the US such as
African Artists Collaborative, Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors, The
Motion Picture Association of America, The US Department of Justice, The US Copyright
Agency, and top law firms like Venable LLP, Foley Hoag LLP, Townsend and Townsend
LLP and Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, copyright infringers will be prosecuted
with alacrity.
For those who choose to help develop Nollywood,
and by so doing, create job and business opportunity for themselves and their families,
FAN, USA is here to welcome you and help you. The pie is large enough for all. Nollywood
can be a multi billion dollar industry with your help. Let’s pull our resources
together and make it happen.
