After two years of virtual programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prestigious Nollywood In Hollywood film showcase is returning in-person to Los Angeles on September 23 and 24, 2022.
The major highlight of this year’s edition is the partnership of Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and Golden Globes, organisers of one of Hollywood’s most influential and glamorous awards show.
According to the founder, Ose Oyamendan, the partnership reflects the unique status of the event at the top of the African cultural pyramid. “We are excited to have HFPA join us this year. It’s a great testament to the importance of the event and the growth of the Nollywood industry,” he said.
Oyamendan went on to reveal that Gone and Juju Stories have been selected as the featured films to be screened at the fifth anniversary edition of the event, which will take place at the famous Aero Theatre in Santa Monica and Norris Cinema Theatre on the campus of University of Southern California.
“Nollywood in Hollywood is our annual opportunity to celebrate and dive into the evolving themes and narratives from the 3rd largest film industry in the world,” says Alex Ago, director of Special Projects & Programming at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, the world’s premiere film institution. “By introducing our film students to the rich and diverse stories being told by Nigerian filmmakers, we are fostering a longer-term dialogue between our two industries, one which is getting closer all the time as Nollywood production and distribution has become a global industry. Our hope is that audiences will be both entertained and inspired, and that the spirit of collaboration, so central to both the artistry and business of cinema, will help our students pursue greater international cultural exchange throughout their careers.”
Nollywood In Hollywood is designed to showcase and celebrate Nigerian films in the center of the entertainment world in Los Angeles. Founded in 2018 by filmmaker, Ose Oyamendan, the event is presented by American Cinematheque, operators of the prestigious Egyptian and Aero Theaters amongst others; the illustrious School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California; and O2A Media Corp. overseas and the Golden Globes’ appreciation of the Nollywood film industry.
This year’s event will kick off on Friday, September 23rd with a red carpet, opening night screening of Gone, a family drama about an unlucky boxer trying to mend his life and family.
“After holding the event virtually for the last two years, it’s truly great we can have an in-person event again this year,” says Maceo Willis, director of operations for the event. “Nollywood In Hollywood is designed as a social event where people can mix, discover our culture and have fun. But the pandemic did open us to new audiences around the world. We got people tuning in from Jamaica and Pakistan the last two years, so we’re excited to combine both formats.”
The second night features Juju Stories, a three-part anthology film exploring modern-day juju (magical) stories rooted in Nigerian folklore and urban legend. The film is co-directed by Abba Makama, C.J. Obasi, and Michael Omonua.