Nollywood in its early days, as told by industry practitioners, was dominated by men — a tale of determined male figures with a strong sense
of originality and can-do spirit. While this is a compelling tale, like any good film, history often requires a sequel, a chapter that shifts the lens and casts light on…
In honour of International Women’s Day, Netflix pays homage to some of these distinct African women storytellers who with the theme ‘Her Voice, Our Story’- It is a story of resilience and creativity that deserves to be told, a story that continues to unfold with each new film, each new voice, and each new perspective.
“Even as a child,” she reminisces, “you would always find me with my nose in a book…Escaping into different worlds fueled my desire to understand the ‘why’ behind things.” Currently, Bolanle has collaborated with Netflix on a new project, ‘The House of Ga’a’, an ancient biopic based on true-life events surrounding Bashorun Ga’a, a ferocious and feared Prime Minister/kingmaker who became more powerful than the kings he enthroned.
“Our stories are being put out there,” she proclaims, her voice brimming with conviction, “showing strong African women like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, showing beautiful African women… Women doing great things in the professions, women in the market, holding the family together. It’s just showing us that the African woman is not a monolith. We’re not just one direction. There’s a lot that we bring to the table.
‘Shanty Town’ has received critical acclaim, garnering 11 nominations at the Africa Movie Critics Awards and 15 nominations at the Best of Nigeria Awards. Building on this success, Nworah produced ‘Slum King’, an African magic original that shattered records as the platform’s most-watched TV series ever.
In addition to her directorial skills, Nworah is the founder and CEO of Giant Creative Media, a Nigerian TV and film production company, and she is passionate about telling premium African stories to a global audience. She has an illustrious career spanning over a decade, including positions as Content Acquisition Manager at YSG Hubs Ltd. and Head of Content Development and Distribution for Ibaka Entertainment, Nigeria’s VOD platform.
Mentorship, according to Nworah, is crucial for success. “Look up to someone, have a mentor in the industry, in Nigeria, or anywhere,” she advises. “Watch a lot of films. So you can pick the style you want to be known for. You must have your style.” Importantly, she encourages asking questions: “Be open to asking, ‘What’s that?’ Ask people. Ask the people who are ahead of you. Ask them, How did you do this? How did you achieve this? Please don’t keep things to yourself.
While teaching, the pursuit of happiness Hamisha said she rekindled her long-forgotten dream, noting that MI Abaga, the renowned musician, gave her insights about the Nigerian love for Bollywood movies. Hamisha isn’t afraid to push boundaries. This time, she told GuardianLife that her upcoming project, ‘Postcard’, is doing more than just blending cultures; it is flipping the script. ‘Postcards’ takes audiences on a vibrant journey, replacing the familiar Nigerian backdrop of ‘Namaste Wahala’ with Bombay’s captivating energy.
After Dorothy arrived in Kenya, she started her career in the film industry. Her desire to change the world and her intense love of narrative led her to co-found Spielworks Media, a production company that was established in 2019. But Dorothy soon realised that, as a newcomer to the industry, she needed to gain a deeper understanding of the local landscape and establish her credibility.
Dorothy’s impact extends beyond the screen, earning her a place in prestigious lists such as Variety Magazine’s Global Impactful Women in 2021 and Leading Ladies Africa’s Top 50 Leading African Corporate Women in 2022, among others. As the Director of Content Acquisition for Netflix, Dorothy leverages her platform to empower female voices and share diverse African narratives globally. When asked about what being a woman means to her, she doesn’t hesitate: “It means to have courage, for without it, we have no voice. We cannot let our fears dominate us or allow societal prejudices to silence our voices. One great way of achieving this is through stories that reflect our lived experience.
Dorothy concludes by referencing the powerful words of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the renowned Nigerian author: “Culture does not make people. People make culture. If it is true that the full humanity of women is not our culture, then we can and must make it our culture.”Before flagging, please keep in mind that Disqus does not moderate communities. Your username will be shown to the moderator, so you should only flag this comment for one of the reasons listed above.
To ensure that patients’ relatives have a decent place to bathe and rest, the Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA has commenced the construction of a 36-bed facility at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital , Ikeja. Justin Timberlake is set to release his new album, "Everything I Thought It Was," on March 15, with a star-studded lineup, including his NSYNC bandmates. The group is featured on the single "Paradise," marking their second release of the decade. NSYNC's reunion was announced last year at the MTV VMAs, and since then, Timberlake has…