Filmmaker and actress Stephanie Linus recently sparked debate by asserting that some filmmakers exploit Nigeria’s name to market their films, despite lacking genuine ties to the local industry.
The comment came during the fifth edition of the Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference, where Linus was a panellist discussing ‘From Volume to Value: The Future of Nigerian Motion Picture Industry in the Digital Age.’
Linus cited Akinola Jr. and Wale Davies’ film, My Father’s Shadow, as an example, claiming it doesn’t fully represent the Nigerian film industry but leverages the country’s identity to gain recognition.
She noted that the film was hailed as the first Nigerian movie to appear at Cannes, despite not being a Nigerian production in the full sense, only a Nigerian story.
The filmmaker further explained that while the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) invited submissions for the Academy Awards, the filmmakers bypassed the Nigerian selection process and submitted their film through another country instead.
Linus’ remarks have reignited conversations about authenticity, ownership, and representation in Nollywood, raising questions about how filmmakers position themselves on the global stage while claiming Nigerian identity.
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