Niyi Akinmolayan Questions Africa’s Film Unity: “If We Don’t Watch Each Other’s Films, What’s the Point?”

Renowned Nollywood filmmaker and producer Niyi Akinmolayan has sparked a necessary conversation about the state of film distribution and collaboration within Africa. In a recent post shared on social media, the director voiced his frustration over how fragmented the African film ecosystem remains, despite the growing number of festivals, awards, and “pan-African” conversations about the continent’s creative potential.

Akinmolayan wrote: “If as a continent, we don’t even watch each other’s films…, neighboring countries would rather pirate Nollywood than build distribution frameworks so we can see, share and sell each other’s films, then what’s the point of all these African events and awards. I’m really curious."

His statement touches on a deep-rooted issue that has lingered for years — the lack of an effective continental film distribution system. Despite the explosion of creative talent across Africa, from Nigeria to Kenya to South Africa, most African films still struggle to reach audiences beyond their home countries. Instead, piracy continues to fill the gap, depriving filmmakers of revenue and recognition.

Akinmolayan’s concern goes beyond economics. It’s a call for cultural exchange. African filmmakers often talk about telling authentic African stories, yet the infrastructure to allow Africans to watch and appreciate one another’s stories is still largely missing. While festivals and awards often celebrate collaboration, the reality is that many African countries still rely heavily on Western distribution systems, streaming platforms, and cinema chains that rarely prioritize intra-African content.

Niyi Akinmolayan is not just any voice in Nollywood. He’s one of its most forward-thinking storytellers and the founder of Anthill Studios, the production company behind hit films like The Wedding Party 2, Lisabi, The Set Up, and lot more. Over the years, he’s earned a reputation for balancing entertainment with social commentary and pushing boundaries in visual storytelling.

His upcoming film, Colours of Fire, continues that tradition. The movie, which stars Osas Ighodaro, Uzor Arukwe, Femi Branch, Mercy Aigbe, Gabriel Afolayan, and several other top Nollywood names, is set to hit cinemas nationwide on December 24th, 2025. With Akinmolayan at the helm, the film promises a rich, thought-provoking story layered with emotion and cultural depth — the kind of work that deserves not just a Nigerian audience, but a continental one.

Akinmolayan’s rant is more than just a filmmaker venting online; it’s a mirror to the African creative industry. For the continent to truly thrive, there must be deliberate effort to build stronger bridges — not just through co-productions and festivals, but through tangible distribution partnerships that make it easier for African films to travel within Africa.

Until that happens, his question will continue to echo: What’s the point of all these African events and awards if we still don’t watch each other’s films?