The 11th edition of the Nollywood Week Film Festival commenced in Paris, the French capital, on Thursday.
While the festival primarily celebrates Nigerian cinema, it also showcases films from a diverse array of countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, and even the United States. With a duration of four days, the festival offers attendees the opportunity to experience a wide range of cinematic productions.
In its entirety, over twelve short and feature-length films are being screened, much to the joy of enthusiasts of African cinema.
Aissata Seck, the director of the Fondation pour la Mémoire de l’esclavage (Foundation for the Memory of Slavery), is a passionate supporter of African cinema. She expresses no remorse about her journey to attend the festival.
“I adore it because it presents a multitude of narratives. Occasionally, you experience the sensation of seeing aspects of your journey reflected in these stories,” she explains.
Particularly because, despite my birth in France, I embrace a dual cultural identity, encompassing both French and African heritage. It’s significant for me to watch these films, especially alongside my daughters,” she emphasizes.
According to Olivier Kissita, who is both an actor and director, events like this festival are essential for the promotion of African cultures. “Unity is key. To gain recognition, we must unite in large numbers. The concept is to move forward collectively, showcasing the diversity and richness of our continent’s cultures, and even those beyond,” he asserts.
Moreover, culture possesses the ability to transcend differences and dismantle barriers, as Serge Noukoue, co-founder of the festival, elucidates. These barriers are frequently constructs of our perceptions, he notes.
“In the portrayed realities depicted in the films, whether featured at Nollywood Week or elsewhere, there frequently lie more similarities than differences,” he emphasizes.
“Hence, it’s imperative to recognize our reflections in others and foster a spirit of curiosity.” Sustaining this curiosity allows us to engage with the narratives unfolding in Nigeria and across Africa.”
He perceives this as a crucial foundation that forms the essence of Nollywood Week’s inception.
The festival commenced with the screening of “Atiko,” directed by Nigerian filmmaker Biodun Stephen. The film narrates a poignant journey of determination and strength, resonating universally. “It’s an African narrative.
Individuals with similar skin tones grasp its essence, irrespective of their language—be it Yoruba, French, or any other. If you’re of African descent, you connect with this story,” remarks Stephen, present at the opening.
The current edition of Nollywood Week places special emphasis on animated films and integrated virtual reality, showcasing an industry projected to surpass $100 million in Nigeria alone.
The festival continues until Sunday, May 5th.