Ikenga: The Strength of the Right Hand

The Reel and Real Women of Nollywood

(Tam Fiofori)--In the early 90s, when Nollywood was less than a decade old, I had in a three-part study characterised it as “providing instant fame for the girl and boy next door and instant fortune for a hybrid of producers.” Nollywood was a phenomenon which in its development had minimal links; technically, professionally and ethically with the older Nigerian Television and Celluloid-film industries. It set its own standards, which sadly, were based on the business ethics of its principal financiers, electronic equipment traders turned producers/marketers. These basically uncultured traders with limited education shaped and called the shots in Nollywood, driven by the desire for huge profits from little financial, aesthetic and cultural investments.

Kate Henshaw: Revisiting Nollywood Journey

(Funmi Johnson, Vanguard)--Since making her Nollywood debut on the set of 'The Sun Sets' in 1994, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal has come a long way to becoming a popular brand in the Nigeria movie industry…. She shares her experience in the movie industry, married life and of course, sexual harassment in the movie industry. 

You look great, what is the secret?

(Laughs) I just try to work as hard as I can. And when ever I find time between six and nine o'clock in the morning, I'm in the gym for my massage and facials. As a women who is eye of the society, it's important I do this because, my body is my workshop.

7 Reasons African Female Directors Rock

(Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN)--African cinema is booming. The continent is awash with creative minds with a flair for storytelling who are bringing life to local stories and sharing them across the globe -- from gripping thrillers and intensely-emotional dramas to celebrations of musical heritage and biopics.

We spoke to seven great female directors from Africa to ask them what they love most about their work -- and why you should too.