Abuja: Yinka Ade-Aluko, author of the twin books ‘Secrets to Making Movies Right for Nollywood Cinema’ and ‘Nollywood and Its Borrowed Cinema’, says the works aim to reshape conversations around Nigerian cinema and its future. Ade-Aluko, founder of Doodle-Film Hub and a cinema entrepreneur, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the author emphasized that the books would help redefine Nollywood’s direction. ‘Secrets to Making Movies Right for Nollywood Cinemas’ uses Funke Akindele as a case study, examining eight blockbuster films produced by the renowned actress and filmmaker. Ade-Aluko explained that Akindele broke down the artistic, cultural, and business elements that made her works among the all-time highest-grossing films in Nigerian cinema history.
The author revealed that the key ingredients behind cinema success in Nollywood include audience psychology, marketing strategy, production quality, and narrative innovation, which are explored through detailed case studies and critical commentary. He noted that Akindele’s films demonstrated that local stories could achieve global success when told with cinematic precision. ‘This book provides both filmmakers and investors a blueprint for replicating that success,’ he added.
Ade-Aluko further explained that ‘Nollywood and Its Borrowed Cinema’, the second book, offers a broader and more critical look at Nollywood’s structure, history, and identity. It investigates how Nigerian cinema has borrowed from the Hollywood model, identifying problems, solutions, and challenges as the industry evolves towards a truly indigenous cinematic language.
He stressed that Nollywood has built its cinema empire on borrowed methods, but its next decade must be constructed on original systems that reflect the Nigerian experience. ‘The book appeals to policymakers, investors, cultural institutions, and film scholars, seeking to understand and shape the future of African cinema, thereby positioning it as a manifesto for reform and sustainability,’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ade-Aluko is a Lagos-based author, cinema strategist, and founder of Doodle-Film Hub, a pioneering Nigerian cinema model focused on community-driven, locally curated film experiences. He is passionate about transforming African storytelling into global cinematic movements through research, education, and innovation.
‘Cinema234 powered the unveiling of the twin books, supported by National Film Corporation (NFC) on Dec. 10 at NFC Cineplex, Ikoyi, Lagos. Both books are available on Amazon KDP in paperback and eBook formats starting from November.