AGN Festival in Los Angeles: Nollywood meets Hollywood

The Nigerian movie industry has  made another significant major success at the 2nd edition of the Actors Guild of Nigeria International Festival tagged, “Nollywood meets Hollywood“, held at the Dream Magic Studio in Los Angeles on Saturday 2nd November, 2024, amidst glitz and glamour.

According to the Spokeman of the National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria Dr. Emeka Rollas Ejezie MON, Amb Cornell udofia, the event was attended by representatives of SAG-AFTRA, casting directors, top entertainment impressario and the Nigerian community in Hollywood.

“In a significant move to bridge cultural and cinematic divides, the President of the Nigerian Actors Guild Chief Emeka Rollas then led a delegation of Guild members to Los Angeles headquarters of the SAG AFTRA for a groundbreaking meeting with top Management of the (Screen Actors Guild-American & Federation of Television and Radio Artists).

“The strategic visit was aimed to foster collaboration and twinning arrangements between the Actors Guild of Nigeria and SAGAFTRA.

“During the meeting, discussions centered on integrating Nollywood into SAG- AFTRA’s casting and production networks, paving way for increased global representation and diversity.

“Some of the Key areas of focus included:

“Casting Opportunities: Exploring avenues for Nigerian actors to secure roles in international productions.

“Co-Productions: Collaborating on joint projects that showcase the richness of Nigerian culture and talent. During the gala night SHOW REELS of Nollywood actors were displayed for Hollywood casting Agencies.

“Capacity Building: Exchanging knowledge and expertise to enhance industry standards and professionalism via Understudy Royalties, Residual and Standard Contracts Frameworks

“Global Distribution: Facilitating the dissemination of Nollywood content to broader audiences worldwide. This potential partnership promises mutual benefits for the industry. These includes:

“Cultural Exchange: Enriching both industries with diverse perspectives and storytelling.

“Economic Growth: Creating new opportunities for actors, producers and filmmakers.

“Increased Diversity: Showcasing African talent and narratives to global audiences.

“A New Era of Collaboration:

“The visit to SAG-AFTRA marks a significant step towards forging a robust alliance between Nollywood and the American entertainment industry. As discussions progress, the stage is set for a new era of creative collaboration, paving the way for increased global recognition and celebration of Nigerian talent.

“Quoting the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Dr. Emeka Ejezie. Rollas, MON he describes the historic meeting with SAG-AFTRA represents  a major breakthrough for Nollywood.

“We’re eager to explore opportunities for growth, cultural exchange and mutual benefit, solidifying our industry’s position on the global stage.”

“In a brief response, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of SAG-AFTRA, Will Benssusen pledged that they will continue to support the AGN and ensure that members gain access into Hollywood given the level of acting talents that abound in Nollywood.

“At the partnership unfolds, the world can expect exciting collaborations, fresh perspectives and captivating storytelling from the vibrant fusion of Nollywood and American cinema.

“The Gala nite was also witnessed by some Nollywood stars from Nigeria, which include, Walta Anga, Lurchy Donald, the Aneke twins, Georgina Ibe, Ifeoma Okeke, Kemi Adekomi, Brown Eneh, and host of others.

“This festival is aimed at ensuring that the business opportunities in the film industry is uniquely accessed by all as we intend to improve a broader collaboration between filmmakers and actors to directly and indirectly benefit from global creative opportunities available within the space”.