Nollywood shone brightly at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as Nigerian producer Charles Okpaleke called for fresh ideas to finance and strengthen the booming industry.
The Nollywood Brunch, held on September 8 at the W Hotel in Toronto, gathered stars, producers, and executives. Present were Dakore Akande, Ramsey Nouah, Audu Makori, Dr. Shaibu Husseini of the NFVCB, Ijeoma Onah of NIFS, Kemi Lala Akindoju, AY, Rogers Ofime, Lily Afe, and Linda Osifo.
Okpaleke, founder of Charles of Play, told the room: “To whom much is given, much is expected.” He praised Nollywood’s global success with limited resources but warned of fading progress without strong foundations.
“Our industry has accomplished extraordinary work with limited resources. The question now is how we build the structures, finance, policy, distribution and IP protection, that will allow those achievements to last,” he said.
Industry voices echoed the need for a proper ecosystem. Many agreed that while Nollywood has broken barriers, it risks losing momentum without coordinated support from investors, policymakers, and distributors.
Okpaleke also warned about the risks of digital platforms. “Accessibility must not become an excuse for lowering production standards,” he said.
He acknowledged that platforms like YouTube give young filmmakers visibility, but noted that the push for quick content could harm Nollywood’s reputation. “Our digital future should reflect the excellence the world already recognises,” he added.
The brunch ended with a sense of urgency: Nollywood must pair its creativity with structure, so it can keep rising on the global stage.
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