Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), says piracy played a huge role in the success of Nollywood.
Anyiam-Osigwe made this known during a media chat with journalists in Lagos.
She said movie pirates are sophisticated in their activities and even have a distribution network, which most Nigerian filmmakers lack.
“There is no distribution plan by filmmakers for their films but pirates have,” the AMAA founder said.
“Piracy will never go away. It is even what made Nollywood films popular.”
Anyiam-Osigwe said although filmmakers now make money from digital platforms, DVD and VCD are still viable means of revenue in Africa.
She said distribution of movies by African filmmakers will be discussed at a business roundtable preceding the AMAA awards billed to take place in Rwanda.
Anyiam-Osigwe also noted that apart from handing out awards, AMAA has trained over 10,000 filmmakers in Africa.
Commenting on the perceived marginalisation of Nigerian filmmakers in AMAA, she said it is up to the jury members to determine the best films on the continent.
She said three Nigerians including Steve Ayorinde, Lagos state commissioner for tourism, arts and culture, are on the AMAA jury.
“If they are not able to defend Nigerian films and get them nominated, then something is wrong,” she added.
The AMAA founder urged Nigerian filmmakers to produce movies with a global audience in mind.
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