Keypoints:
- Paris hosts 13th NollywoodWeek festival celebrating African cinema
- Films from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Senegal feature prominently
- Organisers say Nollywood still faces funding and distribution challenges
PARIS is turning its spotlight on African cinema this week as the 13th edition of the NollywoodWeek festival opens with a programme of films exploring identity, family, migration, music and social conflict.
The five-day event, held at the historic Cinéma L’Arlequin in the French capital, brings together filmmakers and audiences from across Africa and the diaspora in what organisers describe as a push to broaden international understanding of African storytelling.
Founded in 2013, the festival has evolved from a niche showcase of Nigerian productions into a wider platform for African filmmaking, including entries from Ghana, Kenya and Senegal.
The festival comes amid rising global interest in African entertainment, following the rapid expansion of streaming services and the international growth of Afrobeats and Amapiano music cultures.
African cinema gains fresh momentum
Festival co-founder Serge Noukoue said the idea behind the event emerged from a belief that Paris could no longer overlook the growing cultural influence of Nigeria’s film industry.
‘We came to the realisation that a city like Paris just could not ignore the cultural phenomenon that Nollywood had become,’ Noukoue told AFP.
He said the festival was created to challenge outdated perceptions of African cinema and offer European audiences a more layered view of stories emerging from the continent.
Nollywood is widely regarded as one of the world’s largest film industries by volume, producing more than 2,000 films annually, according to industry estimates. Organisers say improved production standards and broader international distribution are helping African filmmakers attract new audiences outside traditional diaspora markets.
Streaming platforms have also accelerated that visibility. African media companies are increasingly investing in homegrown digital content ecosystems, as explored in Africa Briefing’s report on MTN’s challenge to global streaming giants.
Cannes breakthrough boosts Nollywood profile
The festival arrives less than a year after Nollywood secured a symbolic breakthrough at the Cannes Film Festival when My Father’s Shadow received an official selection slot, a milestone many industry figures viewed as evidence of African cinema’s growing global recognition.
Africa Briefing previously examined the significance of the historic Nollywood Cannes debut and what it could mean for future African productions seeking international distribution deals.
Noukoue said Nollywood’s ambitions still exceed the industry’s available resources.
‘I think we’re looking at an industry that is ambitious, but that doesn’t necessarily have the means to sustain that ambition at the moment,’ he said.
He argued that stronger financing structures, professional networks and international partnerships would be needed for Nollywood to fully realise its potential.
Films explore conflict, music and identity
This year’s programme includes feature films, documentaries and shorts examining themes ranging from romance and migration to terrorism and celebrity culture.
Featured productions include East West Love, a romance connecting Nigeria and Kenya, and Evi Superstar, which follows a Nigerian singer attempting to rebuild her career after personal setbacks.
The documentary Mothers of Chibok revisits the trauma caused by the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls by jihadist militants in northern Nigeria, focusing on the experiences of affected families.
Another featured title, Batwing Unmasked: An African Superhero, explores the origins and significance of Batwing, the first African superhero in the DC Comics universe.
Organisers say the diversity of stories reflects a changing African film landscape increasingly interested in complex social realities rather than the stereotypes historically associated with the continent.
The growth of African music globally has also strengthened international interest in African film and television. Africa Briefing recently reported African music is climbing global charts, while another analysis examined how music revenues across Africa are rising despite licensing challenges.
AI and creators’ rights enter debate
Alongside screenings, the festival is hosting industry discussions on music rights, artificial intelligence and the future economics of African cinema.
Organisers believe such conversations are becoming increasingly urgent as African creators seek fairer access to global digital markets and stronger protection for intellectual property.
Noukoue described NollywoodWeek as both a showcase and a testing ground for the next generation of African filmmakers.
‘We want to break those boundaries and break those walls,’ he said. ‘But it’s a lot of work to get to that.’
The festival runs through Sunday in Paris as African cinema continues pushing deeper into global festivals, streaming platforms and international co-productions.
