The Ignorance of the Importance of Film History in the Nigerian Film Industry

As a film historian of filmmaking in Nigeria, I have realised that many Nigerians, including those in the Nigerian film industry are clueless about the importance of documenting the film history of both #Nollywood and #Kannywood. It is really surprising that Genevieve Nnaji actually knows how important it is than her senior colleagues from what she said in interviews on the groundbreaking success of her directorial debut, "Lionheart".

Let me illustrate my premise with an example.
Zeb Ejiro is one of the pioneers of Nollywood. But where can film scholars and students find documents on Zeb Ejiro's movies and soap operas?
Not mere mentions of his name in articles and documentaries on Nollywood. But in depth analyses and studies of his contributions to the sustainable development of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.
Glendora Bookshops have the best collection of books and magazines on the Nigerian entertainment industry, including filmmaking in the world.
But how many of the Nigerian filmmakers and actors have been to any of the Glendora bookshops?

Of course, there is a difference between a film critic and film historian.
A film historian may not be a film critic and vice versa.

What does a Film Historian do?
Film Historians are experts on the rich history of moving pictures. They've spent years of their lives watching films; reading books, essays, and articles about them; and composing works of their own.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series.
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima.