Nollywood actress and producer Efe Irele has called on Nigerian filmmakers to strike a balance between commercial success and meaningful storytelling in their productions.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, Irele commended the progress of the Nigerian film industry but stressed that financial sustainability and artistic depth must go hand in hand for Nollywood’s continued growth.
“I must commend a lot of filmmakers right now; we’re all pushing the bar higher. We definitely need more emotionally driven stories, but we also can’t dismiss those who focus on commercial success. At the end of the day, the industry has to generate money to keep going,” she said.
The actress noted that the rise of streaming platforms has changed how audiences consume content, forcing filmmakers to rethink their approach to storytelling.
According to her, drawing people back to the cinemas now requires offering experiences that are not only visually engaging but also emotionally rewarding.
“Not everyone wants to go to the cinemas anymore, especially with streaming taking over. We have to make movies that make people laugh, unwind, and enjoy themselves because that’s what a lot of viewers are looking for,” she added.
However, Irele cautioned against abandoning the emotional and reflective side of storytelling, saying that such narratives preserve the “soul” of Nollywood and strengthen its cultural identity.
