Nollywood and Women

Abstract

Review of the scholarly literature on women and Nollywood reveals a gap in the study of specific attempts and contributions of female film writers, producers, actors, and directors to achieving sustainability, global recognition, and harmonious development of Nollywood, the largest film industry in Africa and one of the biggest in the world. This chapter therefore critically discusses these issues, utilizing examples of Nollywood films in English to highlight the successes achieved and challenges observed and suggesting areas that require more work and attention. Significantly, the chapter adopts the theory of social history in analyzing the literature and movies on female representations in Nollywood films. It highlights specific attempts and contributions of women in Nollywood particularly and reconstructs some erroneous and misleading portrayals as well as overexaggerated negative perceptions and roles of women in movies. This chapter reveals that female actors, producers, and directors as well as scriptwriters like Genevieve Nnaji, Emem Isong, Kemi Adetiba, Funke Akindele, Stephanie Okereke Linus, Tope Oshin Ogun, and others not only have made impact in Nigeria but also are exported to play major roles in the film industries of other nations. This chapter proposes more opportunities for women in Nollywood to explore toward achieving sustainable social change through the art of recreating experiences and positions of women and the promotion of healthy competition and equality between the genders in Nollywood.