Degree Name
Master of Science
Graduate Program
Mass Communication and Media Arts
Advisor
Karan, Kavita
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the changing trends of the Nollywood film industry. It aims to study the rising success of the industry; characters that are portrayed in films, the production process, viewership of films and its impact on audiences. Nollywood movies have held a stigma of obsessive and repetitive thematic themes, yet their popularity is increasing with over a thousand Nollywood films being made each year. With a detailed literature review, content analysis of selected films, a survey on audiences this study focused on the various elements that are significant to the rise of the Nigerian film industry. Although the films have been known to be unrealistic, Nollywood has been a staple in many African homes. It was found that people within the country love Nollywood films and the growing diaspora of Nigerians has led Nollywood to be accessible on multiple platforms. Also, the content and quality of films is noticeably improving. The findings of the study determined the factors that have led to a steady rise of content, production, and accessibility to the films that have kept the Nollywood audience faithful to the industry. For many diasporas Nollywood represents a piece of home, the films serve as education about their culture, and teach valuable life lessons.