Nollywood Is Underestimated- Joke Highlights What AMVC Entries Prove

Veteran actress Joke Silva, Head Judge for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, says the quality of entries reviewed this year left her both proud and heartbroken: proud of what Nollywood is producing and heartbroken that the industry still lacks enough platforms to properly showcase it.

She made the remarks at the AMVCA 12 Icons Night held on Thursday, May 7th.

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“The volume and quality of work we reviewed made me immensely proud of Nollywood,” she said. “Immensely proud — considering the kind of budgets we work with. I believe that if the rest of the world truly understood the limitations under which we create, they would salute us a million times over. Watching our films, watching our stories, I became deeply heartbroken — heartbroken that there are still not enough platforms and spaces to properly showcase the incredible work we are producing.”

Silva also used the occasion to challenge the widely held belief that Nollywood’s distribution problem is tied to local affordability, arguing instead that the industry has been thinking too small about who its audience actually is. “People often say distribution is difficult because not enough people can afford access,” she said.

“But I keep saying this: Our audience is not just Nigeria. Our audience is not just West Africa. Our audience is not only the African continent. Our audience is the entire Black race — well over a billion people across the world, and I believe this deeply.”

She then addressed the industry’s new partners directly. “I am praying that somehow, somewhere, somebody, will truly understand this reality. We give Black people pride. We tell stories without unnecessary baggage. We tell stories that allow Blackness to be seen fully and humanly. We show that we are good. We are flawed. We are beautiful. We are complicated. We are extraordinary. We are everything human beings are.”

Closing her address, Silva urged every creative in the room not to give up. “Do not get tired. Do not give up. Let us continue pushing boundaries. Let us continue innovating. Let us continue striving for higher standards. Let us keep moving the bar higher and higher, because we are not just entertaining people. We are helping to hold the continent together, while also reminding humanity of what humanity is supposed to look like.” She also acknowledged the AMVCA jury, noting that while the title of Head Judge sounds prestigious, the real work was done collectively by a panel that spent countless hours watching films, debating performances, and making difficult decisions that could significantly impact careers in the industry.

The AMVCA 12 main award ceremony holds on Friday, May 9th. Viewers can watch live on Africa Magic channels on DStv, DStv Stream, and GOtv.