This book gives a panoramic view of the rise and growth of Nollywood, Nigeria’s movie and home video entertainment industry, into the second largest and most prolific movie-producing industry in the world. It offers an analysis of Nollywood’s influence as a local and global cultural force. Scholars from Africa, the African Diaspora and beyond examine the factors that have shaped Nollywood’s unique story-telling, production, and distribution system. The volume shows how internal and external economic, social, cultural and technological changes intersect to define Nollywood’s film-making and entertainment ethos. It is grounded in sound theoretical perspectives that help readers understand the texts and subtexts of the industry’s emergence, transformation, and impact. The range of subjects covered span Nollywood’s historical roots in Nigeria pre-colonial traveling/community theatre to colonial era film-making, and its contemporary spin-offs and inspired cousins across Africa and in Europe. It illuminates the interface of artistic, business, cultural and technological innovation and creativity at the heart of Africa’s local and global pop culture explosion.

With over 1,200 video films produced each year, Nigeria has become one of the most prolific producers of film fiction in the world. This book examines how the experiences and lives of Nigerians are narrated through the storyboards of the video producers, who copy with confidence and energy the recipes and formulas of popular films.

With over 1,200 video films produced each year, Nigeria has become one of the most prolific producers of film fiction in the world. The majority of the films are of poor quality, made on very low budgets and in a very short time, but their production has a big impact on people in Nigeria and the industry's influence is extending across the continent. This book examines how the experiences and lives of Nigerians are narrated through the storyboards of the video producers, who copy with confidence and energy the recipes and formulas of popular films. As a home-grown industry that emerged spontaneously and without outside support, its vitality is a counter to 'Afro-pessimism' and demonstrates the possibility of reviving the African film industry and developing a cinema-going public to support it. PIERRE BARROT works in the Dept for Cultural Co-operation and Action at the French Embassy in Algiers, and was formerly the Regional Audio-Visual Attach at the French Embassy in Lagos. Contributors include TUNDE KELANI, OLIVIER BARLET, TUNDE OLADUNJOYE, FREDERIC NOY, DON PEDRO OBASEKI, IBBO DADDY ABDOULAYE, FRANCK BAKU FUITA, GODEFROID BWITI LUMISA & OGOVA ONDEGO Revised & updated from an earlier French edition published by Harmattan; Published in association with the French Embassy of Abuja; North America: Indiana University Press; Nigeria: HEBN