Genevieve Nnaji discusses her Hollywood experience post-"Lionheart," highlighting the industry's self-serving interests and her commitment to Nollywood's growth at the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum.
Genevieve Nnaji recently shared her experiences seeking partnerships in Hollywood after her 2018 film, "Lionheart," was acquired by Netflix for a rumored $3.8 million. Speaking at the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum/Afreximbank Annual Meetings, Nnaji reflected on her journey and the challenges she faced in the global film industry.
During the panel, Nnaji, described feeling like a commodity in Hollywood. She had initially believed that the success of "Lionheart" would open doors for more opportunities. However, she found that Hollywood's interest was often driven by a desire to reshape African stories to fit their own narratives.
“They wanted what I had but for their benefit. It was all about their story,” Nnaji said. “Even if it was our story, I was expected to make it more authentic to their understanding of Africa, which was often based on their own literature and archives.”
Despite the allure of Hollywood, Nnaji chose to stay in Nigeria to help develop Nollywood. She has always believed in the potential of Nollywood to rival global film industries like Hollywood and Bollywood by telling authentic African stories.
“I could have gone to Hollywood a long time ago, but I had a dream to build an industry in Nigeria that could compete globally. I’ve always believed that we could own an industry that tells our stories for our people,” she said.
Nnaji also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic shifted global perspectives, bringing more attention to African content. This shift reinforced her decision to continue investing in Nollywood rather than pursuing opportunities in Hollywood.
