Prominent Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Efe Irele, has maintained the need for balance in the Nigerian movie industry, enjoining producers to create movies that are both commercially successful and emotionally compelling.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, Irele commended the progress of Nigerian filmmakers but noted that financial sustainability remains crucial for continued growth.
“I must commend a lot of filmmakers right now; we’re all pushing the bar higher. We definitely need more emotionally driven stories, but we also can’t dismiss those who focus on commercial success. At the end of the day, the industry has to generate money to keep going,” she said.
According to her, the shift in audience behavior due to streaming platforms has changed how filmmakers approach storytelling.
Irele pointed out that attracting cinema audiences now requires offering entertainment that’s worth leaving the comfort of home for.
“Not everyone wants to go to the cinemas anymore, especially with streaming taking over. We have to make movies that make people laugh, unwind, and enjoy themselves, because that’s what a lot of viewers are looking for,” she noted.
However, Irele also stressed that filmmakers must not lose sight of stories that evoke deep emotions and provoke thought, as these narratives help preserve the soul of the craft.