Actress and film producer Efe Irele has emphasized the need for the Nigerian film industry to maintain a balance between commercially successful productions and films that evoke deep emotional and intellectual engagement.
In an interview with Saturday Beats, Irele commended the progress being made by contemporary filmmakers, noting that the industry continues to evolve in quality and ambition. She stated:
“I must give it up for a lot of filmmakers right now. I feel like we’re all pushing the bar higher. Yes, we should make more emotionally driven films, but we also can’t fault filmmakers who focus on commercial movies. At the end of the day, we need to make money to keep making more films.”
She further observed that the rise of streaming platforms and changing audience preferences have reshaped the dynamics of film consumption, thereby requiring filmmakers to strike a balance between artistic expression and market viability.
“Not everyone wants to go to the cinemas, especially now with the pullback we’re seeing because of streaming. We have to make films that actually draw people out—movies that make them laugh and have a good time, because that’s what many people want,” she explained.
Irele, however, cautioned against an overemphasis on commercial entertainment to the detriment of storytelling depth, stressing that emotionally resonant narratives remain crucial to the long-term growth and credibility of Nollywood.
Reflecting on her experience as a producer, she described her cinema debut, My Mother Is A Witch, as a transformative project that expanded her creative horizons.
“I gave myself a challenge, and that movie took me out of my comfort zone. It made me view filmmaking from a completely different perspective. I learnt so much and grew my community. I am happy that a lot of people got to see the film and could resonate with it. Many connected deeply with the story.”
Through her remarks, Irele underscored that for Nollywood to thrive both artistically and commercially, it must continue fostering diversity in storytelling—combining mass appeal with authentic, emotionally charged narratives that reflect the human experience.#newsafro_
