Monalisa Chinda Coker Returns To The Big Screen In Aguiyi Ikeobi Ndubuisi’s "INFANT AT HEART Set To Premiere In West African Cinemas August 29, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monalisa Chinda Coker Returns To The Big Screen In Aguiyi Ikeobi Ndubuisi’s I»f»»ľ dľ Hc»»ľ, Set To Premiere In West African Cinemas August 29, 2025

Monalisa Chinda Coker plays Justice Ngozi Chimerije, a mother grieving her late child in INFANT AT HEART, premiering in cinemas across French West Africa from August 29.

Nollywood actress Monalisa Chinda Coker is making her much-anticipated return to the big screen in INFANT AT HEART (“CŒUR BLESSÉ” in French), a gripping drama-thriller from Nigerian filmmaker Aguiyi Ikeobi Ndubuisi (also known as “Ikeobi Silence”). The film will premiere in cinemas across Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroun, and Senegal on Friday,

August 29, 2025, with Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited handling its release across the three territories.

Produced by Vera Kanu and written and directed by Ndubuisi, INFANT AT HEART follows the haunting journey of Justice Ngozi Chimerije, a woman whose life is upended after the devastating loss of her only child. Struggling to confront long-buried trauma, her fragile world is further shaken when her brother-in-law moves in to pursue his studies.

At the same time, a chilling murder case lands on her desk, pulling her into a psychological spiral where reality blurs and her very survival is at stake.

The film reunites audiences with Monalisa Chinda Coker in a commanding performance, alongside an ensemble of celebrated Nollywood stars including Nkem Owoh “Osuofia”, Williams Uchemba, Emeka Darlington, Mike Durueke, Emeka Enyiocha, and Bryan

Emmanuel. Together, they bring to life a tense and emotionally charged story that explores grief, resilience, and the shadows of the human psyche.

“INFANT AT HEART is not just a film—it’s an emotional journey that will resonate deeply with anyone who has faced loss or confronted the truth within themselves,” said director Aguiyi Ikeobi Ndubuisi. “We’re excited to share this story with Francophone West African audiences in a way that speaks directly to their hearts.”

A production of Afrigold TV Limited, INFANT AT HEART will be released in both English and subtitled French, ensuring accessibility for audiences across Côte d'Ivoire,

Cameroun, and Senegal when it arrives in cinemas on August 29, 2025. The release will be distributed exclusively by Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited, a leading force in African film distribution that recently brought Tolu Ajayi’s OVER THE BRIDGE to audiences across eight countries in French West Africa, further solidifying its reputation for delivering compelling African stories to diverse audiences.

For press inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact: Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution International

Email: frwa@tntheatrical.com Phone: +234 (0) 812 363 2005

Website: www.tntheatrical.com/fr

--

About Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited:

Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited is a mainstream entertainment company specialising in the distribution and marketing of local and international filmed content. With a distribution network spanning cinema, inflight entertainment, streaming platforms, and linear television networks within and outside Africa, Tribe Nation is

committed to bridging the gap between content creators and target audiences. The

company provides unique and innovative marketing and distribution solutions, ensuring the maximisation of revenues at the box office and beyond. Tribe Nation also produces commercial filmed content, striving to become the leading global supplier of wholesome entertainment.

About AfrigoldTV Limited:

AfrigoldTV Limited, a subsidiary of Obylicious Empire, is a proudly indigenous film and content production company dedicated to delivering authentic African stories to global audiences. Since its inception in 2018 by Dr. Oby Olebara-Uzoukwu, the company has produced a diverse slate of films, including Served, Good Mistake, Thin Line, Weakness, Scorched, Lost, and more. Driven by the rising demand for original content and the expanding live-streaming market, AfrigoldTV was founded to bridge the gap between African creativity and modern digital audiences. We believe that the future of our developing economy lies in our ability to harness and showcase local talent, culture, and capabilities—telling stories that inspire, entertain, and resonate across borders.

POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

Monalisa Chinda Coker Fait Son Grand Retour Sur Grand Écran Dans Cœu» Blcssé D’Aguiyi Ikeobi Ndubuisi, En Salles En Afrique De L’ouest À Partir Du 29 Août 2025

Monalisa Chinda Coker incarne Justice Ngozi Chimerije, une mère en deuil de son enfant dans INFANT AT HEART, qui sortira en salles à travers l’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone à partir du 29

août.

L’actrice nigériane Monalisa Chinda Coker fait son grand retour très attendu sur les écrans dans CŒUR BLESSÉ (INFANT AT HEART en anglais), un drame-thriller captivant signé par le réalisateur nigérian Aguiyi Ikeobi Ndubuisi. Le film sortira en salles en Côte d’Ivoire, au Cameroun et au Sénégal le vendredi 29 août 2025, avec Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited en charge de sa distribution dans ces trois territoires.

Produit par Vera Kanu et écrit et réalisé par Ndubuisi, CŒUR BLESSÉ raconte le parcours bouleversant de Justice Ngozi Chimerije, une femme dont la vie bascule après la perte tragique de son unique enfant. Alors qu’elle tente d’affronter un traumatisme enfoui depuis longtemps, son équilibre fragile est encore ébranlé lorsque son beau-frère emménage chez elle pour poursuivre ses études. Dans le même temps, une affaire de meurtre glaçante atterrit sur son bureau, l’entraînant dans une spirale psychologique où la frontière entre réalité et illusion s’efface, mettant sa vie en danger.

Le film marque le retour de Monalisa Chinda Coker dans un rôle marquant, aux côtés d’un casting prestigieux comprenant Nkem Owoh “Osuofia”, Williams Uchemba, Emeka Darlington, Mike Durueke, Emeka Enyiocha et Bryan Emmanuel. Ensemble, ils donnent vie à une histoire intense et profondément émotive qui explore le deuil, la résilience et les zones d’ombre de l’âme humaine.

“CŒUR BLESSÉ n’est pas seulement un film — c’est un voyage émotionnel qui résonnera profondément chez tous ceux qui ont connu la perte ou affronté leur vérité intérieure,” déclare le réalisateur Aguiyi Ikeobi Ndubuisi. “Nous sommes impatients de partager cette histoire avec le public d’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone, de manière à toucher directement leur cœur.”

Une production de Afrigold TV Limited, CŒUR BLESSÉ sera diffusée en version française (VF), garantissant ainsi son accessibilité auprès des spectateurs en Côte d’Ivoire, au Cameroun et au Sénégal lors de sa sortie en salles le 29 août 2025. La sortie sera distribuée exclusivement par Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited, un acteur majeur de la distribution cinématographique en Afrique, qui a récemment présenté

AU-DELÀ DU PONT de Tolu Ajayi au public de huit pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone, consolidant ainsi sa réputation de diffuseur d’histoires africaines captivantes auprès de publics variés.

Pour les demandes de presse, interviews ou informations complémentaires, veuillez contacter :

Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited Email : frwa@tntheatrical.com

Téléphone : +234 (0) 812 363 2005

Site Web : www.tntheatrical.com/fr

--

À propos de Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited :

Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited est une société de divertissement spécialisée dans la distribution et le marketing de contenus cinématographiques locaux et internationaux. Grâce à un réseau de distribution couvrant les salles de cinéma, le divertissement en vol, les plateformes de streaming et les chaînes de télévision linéaires en Afrique et au-delà, Tribe Nation s’engage à rapprocher les créateurs de

contenu de leurs publics cibles. La société propose des solutions uniques et innovantes en matière de marketing et de distribution, assurant une maximisation des recettes au box-office et sur d’autres canaux. Tribe Nation produit également des contenus commerciaux, avec pour ambition de devenir le principal fournisseur mondial de divertissement de qualité.

À propos de AfrigoldTV Limited :

AfrigoldTV Limited, une filiale de Obylicious Empire, est une société de production de films et de contenus en ligne, fièrement indigène, dédiée à la diffusion d’histoires africaines authentiques auprès du public mondial. Depuis sa création en 2018 par Dr. Oby Olebara-Uzoukwu, l’entreprise a produit une sélection variée de films, notamment

Served, Good Mistake, Thin Line, Weakness, Scorched, Lost, et bien d’autres. Portée par la demande croissante de contenus originaux et par l’essor du marché du streaming en direct, AfrigoldTV a été fondée pour combler le fossé entre la créativité africaine et les publics numériques modernes. Nous croyons que l’avenir de notre économie en développement repose sur notre capacité à exploiter et à valoriser les talents, la culture et les savoir-faire locaux — en racontant des histoires qui inspirent, divertissent et résonnent au-delà des frontières.

The Best Solution To Increase The Number of Cinemas in Nigeria

In previous articles, I have already addressed the increasing challenge of lack of enough cinemas to meet the increasing demand for cinemas with the growing population of Nigeria that has the largest film industry in Africa celebrated for the phenomenal Nollywood that produces thousands of low budget movies annually. But there is a deficit in revenues of the box office caused by the unavailability of cinemas in majority of the states in Nigeria with only about 400 standard screens in the most populous country in Africa with a population of over 200 million people.

In 2012, I attracted the IMAX Corporation of Canada to consider having an IMAX cinema in Nigeria and in 2013 the corporation sent  Mr. Giovanni Dolci, the Senior Vice President, Theatre Development and Managing Director, Europe and Africa to meet with me in Lagos. We had an important meeting with the Creative Industry Group (CIG) of the Bank of Industry and met with the officials of the Umuwo Odofin Local Government for the location of an IMAX cinema on 10 acres of land in the popular FESTAC Town which I have planned to be called FESTAC IMAX Plaza with a mega shopping mall and car park for 1000 vehicles. My duly incorporated International Digital Post Network Limited signed a partnership agreement with the IMAX Corporation for 10 years (it expired in 2023). But after meeting with other stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry, IMAX went ahead of my plans to partner with the FilmOne Entertainment Group to build the Filmhouse IMAX cinema in 2016 located in Lekki on the Lagos Island. This is the first IMAX cinema in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa. 

The IMAX cinema is for only a minority of those who can afford the tickets and glasses. 

There can be at least two IMAX cinemas in every local government area in Nigeria.

They can be built by the local government or state government in partnership with private investors. And they can be highly profitable with competent and efficient management.

There are more than 30 million people in Nigeria who can afford to pay for the tickets and glasses. They belong to the fastest growing middle class population in Africa. But without effective marketing and public relations strategies, they will not be attracted to the IMAX cinema.

The FESTAC IMAX Plaza I proposed would have been more profitable to the IMAX Corporation and Nigerian film industry, because there are more people in FESTAC Town who can afford the prices for the tickets and glasses than the people in Lekki

FESTAC has the dynamic demographics of the lower class, middle class and upper middle class people in the same location with the most upwardly mobile young Nigerians in the Umuwo Odofin Local Government Area; one of the most dynamic local government areas in Nigeria.

Feasibility studies are necessary before starting any business venture and they include the researches on the economics and demographics of the population of Nigeria. 

You have to do Macroeconomic research and Microeconomic research on the entertainment industry, including the film, television, theatre and music industries of Nigeria.

All the researches are important, relevant and significant to the development of cinemas to supply on demand according to the needs assessment of the target audience. 

You must always supply on demand.

You cannot supply mangoes to monkeys when you know that monkeys love bananas.

You cannot supply cassavas to rabbits when they prefer carrots.

Cinewav Instant Cinemas: 

One Village, One Cinema Plan for Nigeria

In 2022, I signed an affiliate partnership with the Cinewav Pte. Ltd of Singapore for the introduction of low cost instant cinemas in Nigeria with the estimation for 3, 096 cinemas in all the 774 local government areas in the country with 4 cinemas in each local government area after a comprehensive feasibility study from the research on the demographics of the population of Nigeria.

Each cinema will cost N10, 000, 000 (ten million naira), including the training of two operators by Cinewav.

Cinewav Instant cinemas are mobile and can be installed within one hour at every location in every village square, town hall or school in every community.

The cinemas can be inside estates in the villages, towns and cities in Nigeria.

There are solar powered Cineplex when there is no electric power supply.

The low cost cinemas will sell affordable tickets for the majority of the population of Nigeria.

3, 096 cinemas in 774 local government areas with 4 cinemas in each local government area will generate a monthly revenue of more than N7, 856, 000, 000 ( seven billion, eight hundred and fifty six million naira) and over N94, 272, 000, 000 (ninety four billion, two hundred and seventy two million naira) annually.

Cinema - Nigeria | Statista Market Forecast

Revenue in the Cinema market is projected to reach US$123.50m in 2024.
Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 5.89%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$164.40m by 2029.
In the Cinema market, the number of viewers is expected to amount to 9.3m users by 2029.
User penetration will be 3.5% in 2024 and is expected to hit 3.6% by 2029.
The average revenue per viewer is expected to amount to US$15.59.
In global comparison, most revenue will be generated in the United States (US$20,980.00m in 2024)."
https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/media/cinema/nigeria#:~:text=Revenue%20in%20the,20%2C980.00m%20in%202024).

The Cinewav Instant cinemas will increase the annual revenues of the Nigerian film industry and create thousands of jobs in Nigeria.

See Cinewav Cinemas for Every Location 

https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2023/11/cinewav-cinemas-for-every-location.html

 - By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series
The first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry since 2013.
Affiliate Partner,
Cinewav of Singapore
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengoz

The Nuances of Igbo Narrative Drama in Nollywood

The Nuances of Igbo Narrative Drama in Nollywood

There should be film studies on 

the nuances of Igbo Narrative Drama in Nollywood. Because the studies are important, relevant and significant in Nigerian Cinema, contemporary art of Igbo culture and history and African studies for both academic scholarship and public knowledge.

There is a study on "THE NUANCED FEMINISM IN GENEVIEVE NNAJI'S LIONHEART" by Uche Omar.

I have viewed the trailer of a new Nigerian drama in Igbo language with some dialogue in English sent to me from the UK.

From the intriguing and thrilling scenarios, I can tell that this would be one of the must see movies of the year in Nigeria.

A Chief Judge fails to mature from her experiences at a Covent as a murder case threatens to eclipse her.

I can see the genius of the director in the clips in the trailer.

The casting, acting by the accomplished actors, including the current most popular Nollywood actor at the cinemas in West Africa; the cinematography; sound; costume and makeup are impressive in the storytelling in motion picture comparable to the best dramas by accomplished filmmakers in the world.

I have been calling for Nigerian drama as good as the best Korean drama, English drama, American drama and Indian drama.

This Igbo drama most likely would be what I can call, "This is it!"

I have deliberately decided not to mention the names of the principal actors. The hint of the current most popular Nollywood actor in West Africa is enough for anyone who truly knows this outstanding actor of international repute.

This should be the best Igbo drama since Genevieve Nnaji's "Lionheart" released in 2018.

This one will attract more people in Nigeria and other countries, because crime thrillers pull more crowds to the cinemas and attract more viewers on TV and streaming channels, especially psychological drama with romance and intriguing characters.

The trailer is not yet available for public viewing.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

The first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

The Estimated Target Audience of Christian Cinema in Nigeria

The Estimated Target Audience of Christian Cinema in Nigeria

Christian Cinema is for evangelism, church planting and increasing the faith of believers as there is widespread decreasing passion for the gospel in Nigeria and we believe showing powerful facts of the Holy Bible can revive our faith in God and ignite the Pentecostal revival in Nigeria through Cinema Evangelism with the regular screenings of 

 Christian films in all the local government areas in the country with films dubbed in Arabic, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and other local languages.

Image credit:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-modern-african-studies/article/abs/changing-religious-composition-of-nigeria-causes-and-implications-of-demographic-divergence/C780E68F677B92253395051D3B1C8FA3

In 2023, Nigeria had the largest Christian population in Africa, with around 88.4 million people who identified as Christian. The "
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1368604/christian-population-in-africa-by-country/

Professed and practicing Christians in Nigeria are estimated to be 46. 8 percent of the over 201 million people in the country. And they are the largest populations in the southern states and in the middle belt states. 

The northern states are predominantly Muslims.

The estimated target audience of Christian Cinema in Nigeria will be 18, 576, 000 people annually in all the 774 local government areas in the country with more than 80 percent of them from the south and middle belt.

There will be screenings mostly in the churches, followed by screenings in town halls and village squares or centres.

Tickets will sell from N100 (one hundred naira) to N500 (five hundred naira) per person.

Special private screenings will be provided for Christian groups and others with the tickets selling from N2000 (two thousand naira).

CCN will generate an estimated N29, 288, 000, 000 (Twenty Nine Billion and Two Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million Naira) annually from the sales of tickets and from advertisements.

We have received the partnership support of Cinewav of Singapore for instant cinemas to support Nigerians to have solar powered cineplex in every village in Nigeria. 

View Cinewav cinemas on
 https://www.facebook.com/cinewavapp?mibextid=vPdvX0B5T65af74v

Patterns of Evidence of the United States of America has agreed to let us do screenings of their films in Nigeria in churches and public spaces.

Christian Cinema in Nigeria is open to partnership and sponsorship and for advertising of approved products and services.

Contact:

King of Kings Books International

Tel: +234 814 582 6448

On WhatsApp.

Email: kingofkingsbooks@hotmail.com kingofkingsbooks@gmail.com

One Village, One Cinema To Generate N29 Billion Annually To Boost Creative Economy of Nigeria

 

The One Village, One Cinema initiative of the International Digital Post Network Limited, an  affiliate partner of Cinewav of Singapore will generate an estimated annual revenue of N29 billion for both the Christian Cinema in Nigeria (CCN) programme and SMEs in the entertainment Industry in all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, famous for the phenomenal Nollywood, the largest indie film industry in Africa. 

With only an investment of N10, 000, 000 (ten million naira) that is currently less than US$10, 000 (ten thousand dollars) you can have a low budget cinema that can be installed within an hour indoors or outdoors and it can generate an average monthly revenue of N200, 000 - N400, 000 from the sales of the tickets from one location in a village in Africa's most populous nation with an estimated population of more than 200 million people.

The Christian Cinema in Nigeria (CCN) alone has an estimated target audience of 21 million Christians.

The N10 million investment includes the cinema equipment and all expenses paid one week training course at Cinewav in Singapore for one person who will be the operator of the cinema and can train others to become operators in Nigeria.

The cinema equipment can be taken from one location to another location from village to village. Tickets will be sold from N500 per person which is about one quarter of the amount paid for a ticket at the standard cinemas located in the upscale shopping malls in towns and cities. The urban cinemas are not enough for the increasing population of moviegoers with regular disposable incomes. There are less than 400 screens in the country in few cities with most of them in Lagos, the commercial capital of Africa's largest economy. 

The increasing demands for more cinemas compelled the International Digital Post Network Limited to start the One Village One Cinema initiative for both entertainment and public enlightenment and to boost the entertainment industry and accelerate the creative economy of Nigeria.

The initiative will be launched in 2024.

The cinemas will show approved movies, documentary films, series, sports and adverts. 

Public announcements for government programmes and other events are allowed.

The charges for public announcements and adverts are negotiable from N10, 000 - N100, 000 per location.

Revenues from public announcements and adverts are estimated to be N500, 000 - N1, 000, 000 monthly.

During outdoor screenings, only those who paid for tickets can hear the audio with the Cinewav  audio app.

International Digital Post Network Limited plans for more than 12, 000 cinemas in Nigeria, including  solar powered Cinewav Cineplex.

Potential investors, partners and  sponsors are the local, state and federal governments; private sector of local and foreign companies and organizations; especially telecoms, banks, fintechs and other businesses in Nigeria.

"What is the future of big screen?

"Most of the world is without a cinema hall. That will all change! One village, one cinema. Why not?"
~Anthony Tate, Virgina, U.S.A.

We would be happier to use cinemas to break social class barriers and build bridges of unity among communities for the common benefit of all.

Cinema has never been an elitist medium of communication.
Cinema is a tool for public entertainment and enlightenment and has been very effective and imperative in mass literacy campaigns in developed and developing countries for decades. Cinemas made Hollywood the film capital of the world buoyed by over 38,605 indoor screens in 5,561 sites and 628 Drive-In screens in 381 sites in the US, the largest in the world".

Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema Project: The Revival of Outdoor Cinema in Nigeria | Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema

https://screennaija.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/screen-naija-one-village-one-cinema-project-the-revival-of-outdoor-cinema-in-nigeria/

All That Glitters is Not Gold in Nollywood

All is Not Well in Nollywood.and the Nigerian Film Industry.

All that glitters is not gold. 

Majority of the producers. directors, actors. actresses and other practitioners in the Nigerian film industry are facing critical economic challenges ignored by the Nigerian government.

An official of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) invited me for a meeting on how to get distribution for thousands of new movies, because only about 100 -200 get acquired by the MultiChoice Group, Startimes, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Showmax. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) stations and local private TV stations don't have enough budgets to acquire the movies and series. The are grossly underfunded. 

The loads of local content without acquisition and distribution are either on YouTube or put aside in drawers. The producers are heart broken and depressed, because their investments have failed to produce the returns on investment and have left them bankrupt.

The cinemas are having challenges due to high costs of recurrent expenditure in Nigeria.

If, you are in doubt, you must be from another planet. 

We have humanitarian emergencies in Nollywood that most people are not bothered about. 

I have always helped whenever I could in spite of my own critical economic challenges.

I have done my best for the overall benefit of all in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry and I am still doing my best locally and globally to increase the appreciation, acquisition and distribution of Nigerian movies and series.

Presently, I am targeting new Internatonal markets in the Americas, Asia and Eastern Europe where I have attracted potential partners for acquisition, distribution and co-production.

The federal government and responsible ministries must address these challenges if we want the best for Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

- By EKENYERENGOZI Michael CHIMA,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series.
The first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry since 2013.

#nollywood
#economiccrunch
#bankruptcy
#producers
#directors
#filmmakers
#actors
#photographers
#cinematographers
#acquisition
#distribution
#production
#partnerships
#partners
#netflix

#amazon

#showmax

#primevideo

#movies

#series

Memory of October 20, 2020 Has Been Released on Selar

"Memory of October 20, 2020" photo documentary on the aftermath of the tragic EndSARs protests in Lekki on October 20, 2020 in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria is of historical significance showing one of the survivors having sleepless nights of the nightmares. The photo documentary shows the 🌃 nightmares of his trauma.

View on Selar

https://selar.co/016e11

#memoir 

Cinewav Cinemas for Every Location

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cinewav (@cinewav)

 

CONTACT

Jason Chan

+65 9694 7817

Singapore.

In Nigeria

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, 

The CEO, International Digital Post Network Limited, 

Publisher/Editor, 

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series 

Nigeria Daily Twitter https://twitter.com/nigeriadaily 

New Nigeria on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

 Tel: +2347066379246

The Largest Market For Yoruba Epic Movie, "Orisa" is in Brazil and Not in Nigeria

The Largest Market For Yoruba Epic Movie, "Orisa" is in Brazil and Not in Nigeria

The Yoruba epic movies, "Orisa" and "Jagun Jagun", are the biggest Nollywood movies so far in 2023.

These epic movies can attract more people beyond Nigeria. But 

the producers don't know how to promote them globally. 

They are fixated on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video and the  cinemas in Nigeria. But the largest audiences for them are outside Nigeria. 

Over 10 million Afro Latinos in the Americas with Yoruba lineage have enough disposable incomes to watch the movies in cinemas and on cable TV channels.

In Brazil alone, millions of people will rush to watch "Orisa". 

The producers have to see the Big Picture in international film distribution and exhibition.

FilmOne Entertainment has tried with the theatrical release of "Orisa" in the United States of America, showing at selected Regal theaters. But we must see the Big Picture of the future of Nollywood in the world and the future begins today and is in our hands.

The Africans in the Diaspora have a population of over 350 million people and as a country will be the third largest in population in the world after China and India.

Countries with significant populations of Africans in the Diaspora:

United States

46,936,733

Brazil

14,517,961

Haiti

8,583,759

Colombia

4,671,160

Jamaica

2,700,000

Venezuela

2,641,481

Mexico

1,386,556

Canada

1,300,540

Ecuador

1,200,000

Cuba

1,034,044

Dominican Republic

1,029,535

Africans in the Diaspora remit more than USD 65 billion to Africa annually, more than the total foreign aid by the IMF and other international organizations to the continent in the last five years.

Why is Brazil the Largest Market For "Orisa" and "Jagun Jagun"?

There are over 14 million Africans in the Diaspora in Brazil and majority of them are traditional devotees and those who are fully informed on the widespread Yoruba Orisa religion and culture since the transatlantic slave trade to date. 

They have popular annual Orisa festivities attracting millions of Brazilians and thousands of tourists from other countries.

Their history is common public knowledge.

The film industry of Brazil is bigger than the film industry of Nigeria having millions of moviegoers with GDP per capita of $8,918 USD in 2022, a 15.86% increase from 2021. 

The GDP per capita in Nigeria was $2,448 in 2022 and with the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, it has decreased and shown in the decreasing box office revenues, because majority of the moviegoers cannot afford to pay for the tickets again

.

The Film Industry in Brazil - 

At the end of 2022, there were around 3.4 thousand movie theater screens in Brazil, up from over 3.2 thousand a year earlier – an annual increase of four percent. 

The number of movie tickets sold in Brazil increased by 81.7 percent between 2021 and 2022.21 Mar 2023

https://thebrazilbusiness.com/article/film-industry-in-brazil

With 3.4 thousand screens in Brazil compared to less than 300 screens in Nigeria, the larger market of moviegoers is Brazil.

Film distributors in Nigeria should  promote "Orisa" and "Jagun Jagun" through the international film festivals in Brazil and contact the film distributors in Brazil at the 2023 annual American Film Market (AFM) coming up from October 31 – November 5, in Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Santa Monica, CA, USA.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series

Nigeria Daily Twitter

https://twitter.com/nigeriadaily

New Nigeria on Pinterest

www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

Nollywood Versus Hollywood at the Cinemas in Nigeria

Nollywood Versus Hollywood at the Cinemas in Nigeria

"UNFORGIVABLE" is still on the top 20 box office movies showing at the cinemas in Nigeria. The daring drama on illicit sex, rape and court trial is for adults only.
Kisses n Roses, a Nigerian adult blog is showing the uncensored trailer which is also on YouTube.

There are millions of adults who will rush to watch the movie, but there are not enough cinemas for Nollywood movies in Nigeria.
The film distributors prefer Hollywood movies, because of the popular hype for them.
"Barbie" is over hyped and is the #1 Hollywood film in Nigeria.

"Orisa" is the #1 Nollywood movie. An epic Yoruba drama of mysticism, war and heroism.

FilmOne Limited has the largest cinemas in Nigeria and shows more of their own Nollywood and Hollywood movies than movies from other distributors that I cannot call competitors, because they cannot compete with FilmOne in film distribution in Nigeria.

With a population of over 200 million people, the cinemas are not up to 400 in about 70 locations in the most populous country in Africa.
There are states without a single cinema!

There should be a cinema in every neighbourhood in Nigeria like viewing centres with affordable tickets from N500 - N1, 000 per seat.

Cinewav of Singapore has offered  affordable solutions to make cinemas available in over 2, 000 locations in Nigeria. But the film distributors and exhibitors still want to have cinemas only in enclosures indoors at the upscale shopping malls in middle class locations for only the middle class and upper class people.

Growing Demand for Cinemas in Nigeria - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-48480401

0.4 cinema screens to 100,000 people is very small for millions of movie lovers in Nigeria and the present locations of the few movie theatres are not the most appropriate in terms of demographics, because more thousands of people drive for miles to get to the nearest movie theatres, because they don’t have anyone in their local government areas.

Cinewav can roll out cinemas to the people in their local government areas in Lagos and other conducive and receptive locations in Nigeria. The Ikoyi Club, Ikeja Country Club, Metropolitan Club, Capital Club and other clubs can have Cinewav cinema outdoors and in halls every weekend.

There are more than 50 million people who can afford tickets for $1 per seat in cinemas.
We can have up to 50, 000 cinemas in Nigeria if investors can invest in the installations of low budget affordable cinemas for the majority of Nigerians in every neighbourhood in the country.
Let us bring cinemas closer to the majority of the people.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

#unforgivable
#barbie
#nollywood
#hollywood
#cinemas
#movies
#distributors
#boxoffice
#cinewav
#shoppingmalls
#filmdistribution
#distributors
#exhibitors

International Branding of NOLLYWOOD for the Global Market

 That the phenomenon of Nollywood has gained global recognition is a fact. But Nollywood is still lacking the required structure for competition in the global film industry and lagging behind South Africa, Egypt and Morocco.

I have addressed the shortcomings of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry measured with the criteria for the international development of a film industry. These shortcomings are why Nigeria is not among the top 10 countries with the biggest film industries in the world.

Top 10 Film Industries 

1. Hollywood Movie Industry

2. Bollywood Film Industry

3. Chinese Cinema

4. United Kingdom of Great Britain

5. Japanese Cinema 

6. Cinema in South Korea

7. France

8. German cinema

9. Australia

10. Mexico

The constant emphasis on the large volume of movies produced annually making Nollywood the second largest producer of movies in the world after the Bollywood of India and ahead of Hollywood of the United States of America is not enough without film commissions and film markets.

Having the largest market is different from having the biggest economy.

South Africa has the biggest film industry in Africa and not Nigeria based on the annual revenues of the film industry from the box office, international co-productions, TV networks, movie merchandise and film tourism.

South Africa has the largest cinemas of the biggest film distribution and exhibition companies in Africa.

South Africa has film commissions which Nigeria does not have.

South Africa has a film market which Nigeria does not have.

South Africa has the biggest cable TV industry in Africa with MultiChoice which Nigeria does not have. 

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) is hyped as the largest TV network in Africa, but running a deficit annually and cannot even pay salaries without revenue allocations from the Nigerian government. 

In terms of quality of TV productions, the NTA does not have local content of international standards compared to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that has been producing content attracting international acquisition and distribution.

The criteria for the international branding of Nollywood for the highly competitive global film industry include the top priorities of having world class international film festivals to attract the participation of the best filmmakers; international co-producers; film acquisition and distribution companies and for the promotions of movie merchandise and film tourism.

Presently among the few film festivals in Nigeria, only the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is rated as the best international film festival attracting some of the best filmmakers in the world with the potentials of having an international film market like the Durban FilmMart of the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa. 

AFRIFF made international news headlines in November, 2022 for cohosting the African premiere of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever",  the 2022 American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

My articles on how Nollywood can make the Nigerian film industry a multibillion dollar film industry through the opportunities for movie merchandise and film tourism have been published and widely circulated online. But the Nigerian government and the private sector are ignorant of the huge economic benefits.

The Global TV and Movie Merchandise Market is forecast to grow by $90.53 Billion during 2022-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 9.04% during the forecast period.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/02/06/2601901/0/en/The-Global-TV-and-Movie-Merchandise-Market-is-forecast-to-grow-by-90-53-bn-during-2022-2027-accelerating-at-a-CAGR-of-9-04-during-the-forecast-period.html

Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, Huayi Brothers, Enlight Media, Lionsgate Films, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, TOEI COMPANY, Alpha Group, The Walt Disney Company, Twentieth Century Fox and Toho Company are the key copyright owners in the global Movie Merchandise market. The top 5 took up about 66 Percent of the global market. USA is the largest consumption regions of Movie Merchandise in the world in the past few years and it will keep increasing in the next few years. USA market took up about 50 Percent the global market, while Europe was 25 Percent, and China is followed with the share about 6 Percent.

https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/movie-merchandise-market-research-2023-2030-2023-04-13

Nigeria has awesome attractions for film tourism which I have been promoting with the publication of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series since 2013 to show the beauty of Nollywood in family friendly books to attract people worldwide. 

My popular article, "The Best Film Locations in Nigeria" has attracted thousands of readers with over 17, 000 readers on TripAdvisor.

http://totnaija.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-best-film-locations-in-nigeria.html?m=1

Nollywood has attracted Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney and other leading international American film and TV production and streaming companies.

The best film locations in Nigeria should be developed as international tourist attractions like the Obudu Ranch in Cross River State. Holiday resorts and hotels should be built on the locations for filmmakers and tourists.

What is the value of the global film tourism market?

As per a recent market analysis by Future Market Insights (FMI), the film tourism market is poised to reach a valuation of US$ 66.7 Billion in 2022. Sales are projected to increase at a 6.8% CAGR, with the market size reaching US$ 128.78 Billion by 2032.https://www.accesswire.com/717595/Film-Tourism-Market-is-anticipated-to-increase-at-a-high-CAGR-of-68-during-2022--2032-Future-Market-Insights-Inc

There are models for templates for the international branding of Nollywood for the global film industry which I have shown with the references to South Africa. 

By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

Executive Producer,

Screen Naija YouTube Channel,

Vuulr Program Partner

Cinewav Partner