Genevieve Nnaji Calls for Stronger African Film Collaboration, Envisions Cross-Continental Productions
Across the continent’s evolving film landscape, conversations about collaboration, storytelling, and global recognition continue to gain momentum, with one of Nollywood’s most influential voices adding renewed perspective.
Veteran actress, producer, and director Genevieve Nnaji has expressed a strong desire for greater unity among African film industries, particularly through cross-border productions that bring creatives from different regions of the continent into shared projects.
Speaking during an appearance on the Deadline Podcast, she reflected on a long-held vision for a more interconnected African screen industry.
“I think my dream has always been that we have some intercontinental production within the African region. And I can’t wait to see that happen,” she said.
A Vision for a Connected African Screen Industry
Nnaji, widely celebrated for expanding Nollywood’s global visibility—especially after producing and directing Lionheart, the first Nigerian film acquired by Netflix—emphasised that African cinema still has significant room for structural and creative growth.
Her remarks highlighted both optimism and urgency around building stronger production bridges across African countries, allowing stories, talent, and resources to move more freely within the continent.
She also pointed to encouraging developments within Nigeria’s own film ecosystem, particularly the increasing presence of women in key creative and leadership roles.
“Seeing a lot more female producers, directors, and filmmakers come up is also very inspiring to me. The industry is barely 40 years old, but we’ve achieved so much in such a short time”, she said.
Nollywood’s Growth and a Still-Young Industry
While Nollywood is now considered one of the largest film industries globally in terms of output, Nnaji stressed that its modern structure is still relatively young and rapidly evolving.
Her reflections placed Nigeria’s film sector in a developmental context, suggesting that its achievements so far are only the beginning of a much longer trajectory.
“I think we just started. I think, you know, time is still very young, and we have a lot more to achieve.”
Recognition on the Global Stage
Her influence and contribution to African cinema were recently acknowledged at the Red Sea Film Foundation’s Women in Cinema gala, held during the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where she was honoured alongside other notable women shaping the future of global filmmaking.
The recognition further underscored her role not only as an actress but also as a cultural figure advocating for stronger African representation in international film spaces.
Elevating African Stories for Global Audiences
Beyond industry structure and collaboration, Nnaji also returned to a recurring theme in her advocacy: the richness of African storytelling and the need for wider global appreciation of its depth and diversity.
“The stories that come out of Nigeria, I can’t wait for people to actually see the depth of who we are as a nation, as a culture, as a continent, Africa as a whole”, she added.
Her comments reflect a broader ambition shared by many African filmmakers—to move beyond stereotypes and ensure that African narratives are seen in their full complexity on the world stage.
A Return to the Screen After a Hiatus
In addition to her industry reflections, fans are also anticipating her return to acting after a period away from the screen. Nnaji is set to appear in Wahala, a six-part thriller series produced by BBC Studios and adapted from Theresa Ikoko’s novel.
The project marks a notable comeback for the acclaimed star, whose career has long blended performance, production, and direction, further cementing her status as one of Nollywood’s most influential figures.