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1900 - Late 1950s

GOLDEN AGE ERA

Snippet from Fincho
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The Golden Age era of Nigerian cinema spanned from the late 1950s to the late 1980s and is widely regarded as the most significant period in the history of Nigerian cinema.

During this time, Nigerian movies were first shot on celluloid and graced the screens of both cinemas and televisions. This also saw Nigerian movies showing a distinctive Nigerian aesthetic and cultural identity.
man watching television in the golden era of Nollywood
Group watching television in the golden era of Nollywood

NOTABLE FILMS

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Fincho is a 1957 Nigerian film by Sam Zebba, and the first Nigerian film to be shot in colour.
fincho movie poster
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According to Zebba's self-published autobiography, the film was shot with Nigerian non-professional actors, and pidgin dialogue dubbed by Nigerian students at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Kongi's Harvest is a 1970s Nigerian drama film directed by Ossie Davis. The film is based on a play created by Wole Soyinka, who also appears in the film as Kongi.
Kongi's Harvest movie poster
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The film was shot in Nigeria. It was the first production by a Nigerian indigenous company and its aim was to change perceptions about the country and the African continent.
Bisi, Daughter of the River, is a 1977 Nigerian film, directed by Jabu Adu and produced by Ladi Ladebo. It is the one of the highest grossing Nigerian film to date and it played at the cinemas for 3 years.
Bisi, Daughter of the River movie poster
BISI, DAUGHTER OF THE RIVER
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The movie tells the story of Bisi, a young woman born in the coastal town of Badagry. Her father, who is entrenched in the belief that Bisi is a gift to him, originating from Yemoja the river goddess, insists his daughter must be a priestess so that she can serve the goddess but rather than accept this mythical proposition, Bisi chooses to disobey her father.
These films were acclaimed for their artistic merit, social relevance, and technical innovation. They also paved the way for the emergence of Nollywood as a global phenomenon.

In 1972, the Indigenization Decree was issued, which helped transfer ownership of film theaters to Nigerians. Additionally, the oil boom of 1973 to 1978 further boosted the cinema culture, resulting in the construction of cinema complexes, including the National Arts Theatre in Lagos.
Nigerian National Theatre Lagos Nigeria
cinema in Nollywood’s Golden Age era

KEY FIGURES

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LADI LADEBO
LADI LADEBO
He was one of the pioneers of Nigerian cinema in the celluloid-era optimism of the 1970s, He wrote the screenplay of the 1976 American film Countdown at Kusini, which is was regarded as the first film to be made by Black Americans.
JABU ADU
JABU ADU
Jab Adu, born Joseph Abiodun Babajide, was among the pioneers of Nigerian filmmaking.He directed the 1977 Nigerian film Bisi, Daughter of the River, the highest grossing film in Nigeria for several decades.
MOSES OLAIYA
MOSES OLAIYA
Moses Olaiya, better known by his stage name "Baba Sala", was a Nigerian comedian, dramatist, and actor. He is regarded as the father of modern Nigerian comedy, and he popularized theater and television acting in Nigeria.
OLA BALOGUN
OLA BALOGUN
Ola Balogun is a Nigerian filmmaker and scriptwriter. Balogun, who has been making films for more than three decades, is one of the pioneers of the evolving Nigerian video cinema market. In 1973, he founded Afrocult Foundation, an independent film company.
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