The Austin Film Festival is dedicated to championing the work of aspiring and established filmmakers, defined as screenwriters, directors, editors, producers, actors and all those artists who use the language of film to tell a story. The AFF furthers the art, craft and business of filmmaking by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships.

The Austin Film Festival is a not for profit 501c3 corporation.

New Directions Summer Film Series...

Welcome to Nollywood
(2008, 80 mins)
Director: Jamie Meltzer, U.S.

Thursday, July 19, 2009 – 7pm
Blanton Museum of Art
200 E. MLK Blvd.

The Nigerian film industry, known as “Nollywood”, has exploded in the last ten years. Now the most popular cinema in all of West Africa - more popular even than imports of Hollywood or Bollywood films - the Nigerian film industry has distinguished itself by shooting all films (called “video-films”) on digital video. This has allowed production schedules to be compressed (films are shot in several days) and immediately brought to market (distribution consists of bringing films to Idumota electronics market in Lagos and selling them for home-viewing). The sheer volume of Nigerian video-films is staggering: one estimate has a film being produced for each day of the year. Nollywood is now the third largest film industry in the world, generating 286 million dollars per year for the Nigerian economy. And yet this vibrant, profitable industry is virtually unknown outside of Africa.

Jamie Meltzer, director of Off the Charts: The Song Poem Story, (which premiered on PBS’ prestigious Independent Lens series) has created a fascinating look into this newly emerging film industry, exploring its inner workings, economic challenges, and diverse array of colorful films. Traveling to the country’s chaotic capitol, Lagos, Meltzer spent two months following three of Nigeria’s hottest directors, each different in personality and style, as they shot their films about love, betrayal, war, and the supernatural. Welcome to Nollywood tells the stories of these three directors and their latest productions, while also using interviews with scholars, actors, and journalists who celebrate (in insightful and often humorous ways) Nollywood as a whole, its unique character and genres, as well as its impact on the culture of West Africa and Africans at home and abroad. 

 

To view a clip, click here.