By Umar Maryam Ayomide
Nollywood in Hollywood is a celebration of Nigeria’s growing cinema. From very inauspicious beginnings about thirty years ago, the industry grew to be the second largest in the world in terms of output. It is estimated that over 1,000 films are produced in Nollywood every year, most of them direct to video. In recent years, Nollywood films have garnered critical acclaim and have been exhibited at top film festivals. NOLLYWOOD IN HOLLYWOOD is the fifth edition of the annual exhibition of Nigeria’s best films.
The event which includes screenings and networking events will be co-presented by the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian, O2A Media Inc., and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association on the 28th of February and 1st of March respectively.
Recently, three amazing Nigerian films have been selected for screening in the Nollywood in Hollywood 2025 edition, the selected films includes; The weekend, Mai Martaba and The Man died– Selected to be screened at the two esteemed venue: The Egyptian Theatre and Norris Theatre at the University of Southern California on the 28th of February and 1st of March 2025.
THE SELECTED FILMS
1- “The Weekend”
The Weekend, a gripping Nigerian thriller, directed by Daniel Oriahi, which premiered at the Tribeca festival in June 2024, and was subsequently released in Nigerian Cinemas in August 2024 explores the complex family dynamics through unpredictable twist and turns, the narrative follows Nikiya, an orphaned lady yearning for familiarize connection, she insists on visiting her fiancé’s estranged family, but eventually uncovers the truth that drove Luc away from his family.
2- “Mai Martaba”
Mai Martaba tells the story of an ancient kingdom that once experienced a trade boom through the Trans-Saharan trade exchange but was short-lived due to a stiff internal power tussle amongst the powerful Agadashawa ruling clan. Packed with action and adventure, Mai Martaba explores the theme of power, love, greed, and betrayal.
Directed by the award winning filmmaker, Prince Daniel, excellently tells the tale of succession struggles among the ancient Jallaba Kingdom. It is Nigeria’s official entry for the international feature film category at the Oscar 2025.
3- “The Man Died”
Based on the story of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s 27 months incarceration by the Nigerian government in 1967 at the cusp of the civil war. Directed by Awam Akpa, the film explores the solitary confinement of the noble laureate without fair hearing and the harrowing psychological torture he experienced due to the brutal Post colonial Nigerian Justice System.
This in-person event promises to be a night to remember, filled with the screening of the films and the unique opportunity to celebrate the best of Nigerian cinema in the heart of Hollywood.
ABOUT THE EVENT
According to Nollywood In Hollywood, this is an annual showcase of the best three Nigerian films to the Hollywood film industry, Nigerians in the Diaspora, and cinema audiences in Los Angeles.
Arguably Nigeria’s biggest cultural showcase outside Nigeria, it was founded by Nigerian-American filmmaker, Ose Oyamendan and co-presented by O2A Media, Inc. alongside two of the most prestigious institutions in Hollywood, the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California and the American Cinematheque. The initiative includes seminars, training programs, and networking events.
This report is published as part of the writer’s internship with Nollywire, facilitated by the National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ), Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS).