I cannot over stress the fact that Nollywood is one of the most recognized movie industry in the world, at least if not respected people know who we are, that's why we are second on the largest movie industry list in the world.

But we aren't just large for nothing. We are large because we have divided and segmented ourselves into three "sub-main" movie industries which are all capable of standing independent as sole movie industries but continue deceiving ourselves that it's all under one body, whereas the only thing that this three movie industries have in common is the fact that they all originated from one country.

The Nigeria movie industry is divided into three; we have Kannywood, the Hausa movie industry, we have Yollywood, the Yoruba movie industry and then we have Nollywood, the English speaking, west world integrating and self acclaimed first class movie industry in the country. A few months ago, there was filtering rumors that our Igbo brothers were making moves to establish their own movie industry.This is the way in which we have over the years separated ourselves and isolating all our movie industries priding ourselves on Nollywood and decieving the outside world that we all are indeed one body. But to be frank with ourselves, we have to ask the question, if this segregation is doing much good or harm, to first; our movie industry as a whole, secondly; our international image, and thirdly out culture and heritage?


Yollywood actors in set
The answer to the questions above all scream no. First of all, the segregation and isolation of movie industries results in lack of valuable cooperation between our deep diversity of talent from different tribes in the country.


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Recently a Kannywood actress got banned from Kannywood due to inappropriate portrayal of herself in a music video. Openingly, the Nollywood guys welcomed her without questions into their fold and she started receiving movie roles, almost immediately people started singing her praise pointing out how she was a gain to the Nollywood fold and a loss for the Kannywood guys.

Just imagine if there were cordial relationships between the two isolated movie industries, the kind of magic we will be optioned to have being played out on our cinema screen but no, one feels superior to the other, and the others are posing strict with rules and regulations.Another example is the Hausa producer who thought The Wedding Party was a jab and insult to the Hausa industry for leaving out any major Hausa involved role and even went on to say he'd produce his own Hausa themed Wedding Party to rival Kemi Adebita's directed one. Just imagine such unnecessary rift.

Last night at the fifth Nigerian Entertainment Conference, there was a heated exchange of words between "Yollywood" actress Toyin Aimasku and "Nollywood" actress Adesua Etomi over the importance and necessity of joining the Actors Guild of Nigeria.

Just imagine the kind of bad image we will be portrayed in internationally if the news got out. The Actors Guild of Nigeria is like Hollywood's Association of creative Arts and Motion Pictures who organize the Oscars. Now imagine one well rooted and respected actress saying that been a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria is very important while another actress who happens to be the face of the countries highest grossing movie claims the opposite, that the association lacks a good structure.


Toyin Aimakhu in a movie scene
How do we expect the actors guild of Nigeria to be regarded internationally, when back home, it's successfully actors and actress are yet to see its importance and a future in it?

This segregation is mainly affecting only one part of the movie industry while the other is thriving on it. Thereby affecting our cultural heritage and values. On a daily basis we have many Yoruba actors and actress crossing over from Yollywood to Nollywood. Both newbies and already established ones. A recent example is that of Toyin Aimakhu who has appeared in more English themed movies than Yoruba in the last eighteen months and probably all of her acting career.

We really can't blame them, that's where the market is, where the money is and where the big boys play. Just imagine Odunlade Adekola who made a name as a Yoruba actor and whose indigenous facial expression has become a source of many memes circulating the Nigeria media today also jumping ship to Nollywood.


Odunlade Adekola acting
Not for once have I seen an indigenous speaking movie Kannywood or Yollywood screen at the cinemas before. Reasons I don't know. A few months ago a producer who happened to be a friend of my tried getting his partly Yoruba, partly English speaking movie to show at the cinemas and the movie got turned down for no specific reasons.


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That one is not called corruption but point blank racism admist blacks. You cant tell me that's its all because of the bad quality of Yoruba movies because there are many movies out there in the cinema today which are not even worth a spot on my DVD rack talk less of a cinema spot. And I can conveniently name drop quality Yoruba movie that will go head to head against any other English film.

Maybe if we are more accepting and open to indigenous speaking films ace director and producer Kunle Afolayan might be akin to producing a Yoruba film.

Even the award systems are not helping out. If I remember correctly only one category was created to acknowledge the entire Yoruba movie industry at the latest AMVCAs.

United we stand, divide we fall a saying goes. This is a call for help to all the Nollywood influencers out there to help rebrand our image, save our culture and heritage and unite the Nigerian movie industry.

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weldone to the OP, BT m still confuse o, Yollywood? damn it what of the igbos, are the Gbollywood or Biawood?

Must "ollywood" be a suffix for every film industry?
Abi wich one be yollywood, kollywood, tigerwood, ijebuwood

Too long.

MayhorE:
weldone to the OP, BT m still confuse o, Yollywood? damn it
what of the igbos, are the Gbollywood or Biawood?

Yoruba movie industry or Yorubahood are the general terms used. Just coined Yollywood, kind of suits of you ask me

folarinmiles:
Must "ollywood" be a suffix for every film industry?
Abi wich one be yollywood, kollywood, tigerwood, ijebuwood

Don't know about Tigerwood and ijebu wood of but ollywood is the globally recognized name for movie industries.

Kollywood belongs to the telegu speaking movie industry in india

folarinmiles:
Must "ollywood" be a suffix for every film industry?
Abi wich one be yollywood, kollywood, tigerwood, ijebuwood

Has to be. Lots of other shorter posts on the site this, you should check them out