A Nollywood movie titled `Dr Bello' will be making history as the first Nigerian movie to debut in the U.S. theatres on Feb. 22, its producer, Mr Tony Abulu, has said.

Abulu on Monday in Abuja said that the movie would be released in the U.S. theatres from Feb. 22 to Feb. 27.

He said the movie, worth N150 million, would explore the foreign exchange potentials that abound in the U.S. film industry.

The development, according to Abulu, will also create a platform for other Nigerian movies to sell in the U.S. market.

“This is the second largest theatre chain in America with over 5000 screens and this portends great opportunity for Nigeria, because apart from “Dr Bello” other movies can come through this same agreement.

“The only catch is that they have to be very well produced and they have to be targeted to an American audience, not all the Nigerian movies can do it; there will be a select group of Nigerian movies that can come through that channel.

“But I think, as time goes on, we can begin to see the millions of dollars of foreign exchange revenue that we have been hoping for from a place like the U.S.''

Abulu praised the performance of the Nigerian film industry in projecting the image of the country overseas, adding that the quality of movies currently produced in the country were encouraging.

“The kind of movies we are making now are the quality of movies that I believe can have the capabilities to disclaim in the US theatres, but one of the prerequisite is that Americans would normally like to see one or two of their own actors in the movies.

“So we have very good film makers in Nigeria and I can account for at least about 25 of them that I think have the capacity and capability to make such films. ''

The producer said that the production of the film was supported by Federal Government's $200 million intervention fund, adding that an endowment fund was still needed to boost activities of the entertainment industry.

According to him, the AMC agreed to expand the film to a wider release if there was a strong performance during the critical make-or-break first week of its release.

Abulu, who is also the writer and director of “Dr Bello'', said that the release of the move in U.S. would strengthen the Nigerian film industry.

He said that it would provide better opportunities for professionals in the industry as well as enable films get more elaborate in terms of their scope.

“Once the revenue begins to increase of the films, everybody benefits.

“The industry gets stronger because there is more funding in the industry, producers now can spend more money in making movies.

“Instead of making movies at an average of N5 million, now you are making movies at an average of N40 million.

“That means locations are paid for, actors and the entire crew are paid more for their work and they can bring in a lot more actors in the movies and the movies can get more elaborate in terms of their scope.

“So by extension, a lot of people will benefit just by distributing the Nollywood movies in the U.S. market.''

“The cure for cancer has been found in the sky mountains of Africa and an American oncologist will risk everything to find it.''

The movie, 'Dr Bello', will be starring Isaiah Washington, Vivica Fox, Jimmy Jean-Luis and Nigerian superstars Genevieve Nnaji and Stephanie Okereke.

The film will open at AMC theatres in New York, New Jersey Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Dallas, Miami and Jacksonville.

source: http://odili.net/news/source/2013/feb/19/300.html

Not bad, at least f they can get 100,000 people across the U.S. to view the movie, then they have at least covered their cost less royalties, fees, etc. It's time for the marketing efforts if it's gonna be a sell, if the movie was worth it, selling out on it won't be a problem particularly since it's a foreign movie... Something different on the screens.

gud to hear

I am happy for Tony.
Its all good for Nigeria.

This calls for celebration !!!!!!!! Dancing lagos to sweto and sipping alomo and ogogoro now. Abeg who get cassaflakes aka garri shd borrow me one cup o

. [color=#000099][/color]Make i com dey dance abi wetin? Wen chinese and indian movies dey show there since___thumbs up to uncle ABULU all the same.

Ok Boss I've heard but my paycheck won't change so not my bizness

Good development in the right direction

CFCfan: A Nollywood movie titled `Dr Bello' will be making history as the first Nigerian movie to debut in the U.S. theatres on Feb. 22, its producer, Mr Tony Abulu, has said.

Abulu on Monday in Abuja said that the movie would be released in the U.S. theatres from Feb. 22 to Feb. 27.

He said the movie, worth N150 million, would explore the foreign exchange potentials that abound in the U.S. film industry.

The development, according to Abulu, will also create a platform for other Nigerian movies to sell in the U.S. market.

“This is the second largest theatre chain in America with over 5000 screens and this portends great opportunity for Nigeria, because apart from “Dr Bello” other movies can come through this same agreement.

“The only catch is that they have to be very well produced and they have to be targeted to an American audience, not all the Nigerian movies can do it; there will be a select group of Nigerian movies that can come through that channel.

“But I think, as time goes on, we can begin to see the millions of dollars of foreign exchange revenue that we have been hoping for from a place like the U.S.''

Abulu praised the performance of the Nigerian film industry in projecting the image of the country overseas, adding that the quality of movies currently produced in the country were encouraging.

“The kind of movies we are making now are the quality of movies that I believe can have the capabilities to disclaim in the US theatres, but one of the prerequisite is that Americans would normally like to see one or two of their own actors in the movies.

“So we have very good film makers in Nigeria and I can account for at least about 25 of them that I think have the capacity and capability to make such films. ''

The producer said that the production of the film was supported by Federal Government's $200 million intervention fund, adding that an endowment fund was still needed to boost activities of the entertainment industry.

According to him, the AMC agreed to expand the film to a wider release if there was a strong performance during the critical make-or-break first week of its release.

Abulu, who is also the writer and director of “Dr Bello'', said that the release of the move in U.S. would strengthen the Nigerian film industry.

He said that it would provide better opportunities for professionals in the industry as well as enable films get more elaborate in terms of their scope.

“Once the revenue begins to increase of the films, everybody benefits.

“The industry gets stronger because there is more funding in the industry, producers now can spend more money in making movies.

“Instead of making movies at an average of N5 million, now you are making movies at an average of N40 million.

“That means locations are paid for, actors and the entire crew are paid more for their work and they can bring in a lot more actors in the movies and the movies can get more elaborate in terms of their scope.

“So by extension, a lot of people will benefit just by distributing the Nollywood movies in the U.S. market.''

“The cure for cancer has been found in the sky mountains of Africa and an American oncologist will risk everything to find it.''

The movie, 'Dr Bello', will be starring Isaiah Washington, Vivica Fox, Jimmy Jean-Luis and Nigerian superstars Genevieve Nnaji and Stephanie Okereke.

The film will open at AMC theatres in New York, New Jersey Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Dallas, Miami and Jacksonville.

source: http://odili.net/news/source/2013/feb/19/300.html

congratulations Naija!

chiover: This calls for celebration !!!!!!!! Dancing lagos to sweto and sipping alomo and ogogoro now. Abeg who get cassaflakes aka garri shd borrow me one cup o

your own Don finish!

Is easy to criticise that d Nigeria movie just entered us market, at least nobody stop d cretics frm taking the movie there themselves. Bravo to d producer for his creativity and foresightness

semid4lyfe: Indian movies have been showing in U.S theatres for eons and a "Nollywood" movie is just making it's debut?

Anyway, there's always a first time. Hope the movie does well it's first week . . . .

You're right
We're always the third position worldwide in movie production(Quantity) behind the US and India.

We dominates in Africa and now to the global level.
It's a gradual step, be calm

Alleluiah! We are good, ain't we?

I won't celebrate until a movie with a Nigerian storyline, production crew and location are all sources from Nigeria....shows in US theatres.

I commend Abulu's effort tho'.

150m naira for a movie thats lyk $1m still small sha but the young shall grow

So??....

Gud to know. П̥̥̲̣̣Ơ͡t surprised tho cos d highlights ȋ̝̊̅§ so interesting

Q

semid4lyfe: Indian movies have been showing in U.S theatres for eons and a "Nollywood" movie is just making it's debut?

Anyway, there's always a first time. Hope the movie does well it's first week . . . .

You're right
We're always the third position worldwide in movie production(Quantity) behind the US and India.

We dominates in Africa and now to the global level.
It's a gradual step, be calm

nice

make i go my customer place go check if i go see the film since i no go fit go theatre

If u watch d movie now slip no go let u rxt, hmm nigeria movies..

Nigeria is coming up, thanks be to God

Naija is the best. I only hope we will support technology and entrepreneurship in much the same way.

It might not even be recognized as a Nigerian movie because the lead actor is an American. We need a movie with 100% Nigerian Actors and content.

Eko Atlantic:

You're right
We're always the third position worldwide in movie production(Quantity) behind the US and India.

We dominates in Africa and now to the global level.
It's a gradual step, be calm

with which concepts d one's we repeat? don't tink so

I still tink wit piracy eradicated, nigerian movie industry can do grt in naija dan d U.S. We have d population, d talent and nw d reputable producers.. Y cant a movie sell 5million ORIGINAL copies in niger if piracy is eradicated. We have an untapped market here y go U.S

Afam4eva: It might not even be recognized as a Nigerian movie because the lead actor is an American. We need a movie with 100% Nigerian Actors and content.

thats what is called marketing strategy. U need to capture some other group of audience. I still dont watch naija films; house boys dramas, witches and wizards, ur son will not marry my daughter and vice versa dramas etc., but i saw the snippets of this film. It wasnt bad as regards to nollywood.

Biggysmalls919: thats what is called marketing strategy. U need to capture some other group of audience. I still dont watch naija films; house boys dramas, witches and wizards, ur son will not marry my daughter and vice versa dramas etc., but i saw the snippets of this film. It wasnt bad as regards to nollywood.

How come Bollywood did not use this strategy? Bollywood movies are usually 100% Indian yet they're popular the world over.

Btw, what does the term "debut" mean? If it's what i think it means then several Nigerian movies have been debuted in the US. I can remember Genevieve went for one in Baltimore, Maryland. Can't remember the name of the movie now.

Good for nollywood

Wish u success