By Timothy Nwobodo
A veteran filmmaker, Chris Obi Rapu has called for the renaming of the Nigeria Movie industry Nollywood to “Naija Cinema” to reflect local identity
Mr Rapu who directed Nigeria’s first indigenous movie, “Living in Bondage” in 1992, made the call while delivering a key note speech in a panel discussion at the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF), in Enugu on Thursday
The Veteran Director made a proposal to change the name of the film Industry from Nollywood to Naija Cinema, arguing that the name ‘Nollywood’ was not contrived by indigenous film makers.
“The professionals here should carry this message that we want to be known as Naija Cinema. Somebody could say why cinema? Cinema encompasses all, it is the act of making films, either using the medium of celluloid or video, the home where they show some of it is called cinema because it’s the theater. So cinema is the right word”. Chris argued.
He also noted that giving Nollywood a new name will retire all other ‘woods’ in Nigeria and give birth to a proper National Cinema which will be officially known as ‘Naija Cinema’.
However, Jahman Anikulapo, a renowned journalist, Cultural Archivist and a staunch member of the Nigerian creative industry note that Mr Rapu that his proposal will definitely be looked into stressing that it cannot be overlooked considering that it comes from a father who has been around since the inception of Nollywood.
The ongoing 2023 ENIFF Festival which climaxes on Saturday has students from different Universities in Enugu attending including over 45 students from the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT
