The Streaming Wars Are Here – This Week Inside Nollywood Issue 4
Nollywood went to do shakara at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) while streamers tear each other’s shirts at home.
This Week in(side) Nollywood is a witty recapitulation of the significant events in the industry this week. While you were busy chasing the bag during the week, Nollywood was cooking! Here are the things you missed.
Jade Osiberu And Amazon Studios Got Married: It is about to be premium gbas gbos for Nigerian content as Amazon has intensified the streaming wars. The American streamer signed a first-of-its-kind deal with Osiberu’s GREOH company. This means the she’s going to produce films and series for them exclusively.
The move comes following the exclusive screening of Osiberu’s Gangs of Lagos at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) — which all of Nollywood attended — to international press and tastemakers.
The King’s Horseman Thrills At TIFF: Odunlade to the world! From Sunday Dagboru to the Toronto International Film Festival. We cannot pretend that we are not happy for the meme king. His performance in Biyi Bamidele’s The King’s Horseman has been described as glorious by Screen Daily. But that’s hardly a surprise as Odunlade has always been a formidable dramatic actor caged by Nollywood’s obsession with stock comedic roles.
Key question: Is he going to shout in this film?
WhatsApp Joins The Streaming War? The Meta-owned company is releasing a 12-minute short film inspired by Nigerian-Greek NBA star, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
We would have said small yansh is vibrating but WhatsApp is no small company, and they aren’t becoming a streamer, at least not yet. However, this is a piece of content marketing that shows the connecting power of WhatsApp. It would be coming on the streamer of the season, Amazon’s Prime Video.
But imagine if Whatsapp sef joins the streaming wars, with its vast penetration in Africa, it could revolutionize how we distribute short films. Okay, no more dreaming!
Brotherhood Is Bringing Ojuju: Big films must come with big premieres; that’s how we roll in Nollywood and Jade Osiberu knows the drill. She’s premiering Brotherhood in grand style. The event is themed avant-garde ojuju because what is a Nollywood premiere without some razzle-dazzle? Wait, you have not seen the trailer? Oya run check am!
There’s also something for mere mortals: a fan premiere! But of course, you must pay a small fee. Just something light to be in the presence of Nollywood royalty. Anyway, it is Jade Osiberu’s world and we are all living in it!
RMD Don Enter Palava: Nollywood finally realizes all that RMD sugar daddy vibes can’t be wasting. In Inkblot’s December offering, Palava, he plays a successful musician who loves and is loved by women. Don’t you like it already?
Box office king Niyi Akimolayan directs the starry film featuring BBNaija star Neo Akpofure, Aki without PawPaw, and Jemima Osunde, who plays one of the five daughters of RMD’s larger-than-life character. We dey wait.
Oh, We Spoke With Kayode Kasum: You know Kasum likes to stay in his little corner and drop stuff like Obara’m from time to time.
We went to look for him and got him to tell us some secrets, including his love for music, his journey as a Nollywood filmmaker and more importantly, his newest projects.
Please read so our efforts will not be in vain.
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We are looking forward to coming back with great news next week. Nollywood, please give us something to smile about.