In the exciting world of cinema, gender equality and the diversity of voices are crucial issues to take into account. At the recent Sundance Film Festival, a question was raised during a panel discussion: how can we foster the presence of Nigerian women as leading directors and producers?
The response provided by director and producer Daniel Effiong was noted. He referred to Funke Akindele’s recent hit film titled “A Tribe Called Judah” and how it rose to heights. According to him, “in the industry we are trying to have more men. We have these reversed situations. Funke broke her record in 2021, she broke it again in 2022, and in 2023 her last film was again broke her own record. So the highest grossing Nigerian film, she’s number one, two, three. Number four is another woman and number five is another woman.”
However, Effiong pointed out in the comments that the Nigerian film industry has other problems and it is important to avoid inheriting the problems of other countries. “The main point is not to inherit the problems of others. This is not a problem specific to Nollywood. We have other problems, but not this one. Nollywood is already run by female directors and producers. “The majority of ‘studios’ are run by women,” he said.
This observation echoes current debates and efforts to strengthen the presence of women and promote gender equality in the film industry around the world. It is encouraging to see Nigerian women in leadership and production positions, but it is also important to continue to support and promote their work so that they can continue to shine and inspire other female talents.
The Sundance Film Festival, currently taking place in Utah, USA, is a major event that highlights original filmmakers and seeks to give voice to new voices and innovative perspectives. This year it takes place from January 18 to 28, 2024.
It is essential to recognize and celebrate Nigeria’s talented female directors and producers and empower them to make their voices heard in the global film industry. Thanks to films like “A Tribe Called Judah” and the exceptional talents of Nigerian women, we can hope to see greater diversity and representation in the contemporary cinematic landscape.