Resurgence of Indigenous Movies in Nollywood

Nollywood industry and its audience have seen a noticeable shift in storytelling and concept in recent years, with filmmakers embracing indigenous languages and cultural representations.

Nollywood filmmakers are progressively embracing the country's cultural heritage, bringing native languages to life on screen, reconnecting Nigerians with their roots and pushing the industry into new creative terrain.

As Nollywood grew and began to incorporate more current aspects, it appeared that epic films were sidelined or possibly regarded inferior. 

However, traditional Nigerian stories and myths are being reintroduced to both domestic and foreign audiences. 

This trend demonstrates a rising awareness of Nigeria's rich cultural past, as well as a desire to preserve and promote local storytelling.

Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Prime Video have contributed significantly to this recovery by providing access to diverse content and allowing Nigerian filmmakers to reach a worldwide audience without the constraints of traditional distribution. 

This exposure has enabled epic Indigenous films to compete on a global scale, fostering cultural interaction and expanding the scope of African narrative.

One film that has set the stage for this revival is Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo series.The sequel, Anikulapo: Rise of the Sceptre, continues this story, balancing cultural authenticity with global appeal.

Impressively, the series garnered 8.73 million views in its first week of release
Another film with similar global recognition is Bolanle Austen-Peters’ House of Ga’a. 
This intense war drama portrays the Oyo Empire’s pre-colonial political system. Just weeks after its release, the film topped Netflix’s most-watched films chart.