Nollywood Now!

People said, "Uh-uh, Bill, Iraq had the fourth largest army in the world." Yeah, maybe, but you know what? After the first three largest armies, there's a real big drop-off, all right? The Hare Krishnas are the fifth largest army in the world, and they've already got our airports.

- Bill Hicks

Nigeria makes more films than any other country in the world, apart from India, earning its film industry the name Nollywood.

Next month, New Cross will host Nollywood Now! The London festival of Nigerian film. The event will take place from October 6th - 12th at Deptford Town Hall.

The festival will feature six film screenings introduced by talks from industry experts including Nigerian actors, film academics and representatives from Nollywood TV broadcasting.

The film programme takes in five of the best-loved popular Nigerian films, along with the Canadian documentary Nollywood Babylon.

Phoenix Fry, creative director of Nollywood Now! said:

“I hope this festival is just the beginning of a more widespread recognition of Nollywood as a global cinema phenomenon. Ten years ago India’s popular cinema was dismissed by the mainstream, but is now a vital part of our shared culture. The dramatic and exciting films coming out of Nigeria, enjoyed by so many people here in the UK, deserve a similar place in Britain’s cultural life.”