#2013 In Retrospect: Best Nollywood Movies of 2013

From 10 Pound Road, Aba in Abia State, down to 4 Edidi Lane, Idumota in Lagos, hundreds of Nollywood movies hit the markets every day, some go on to become blockbusters, while others barely sell a thousand copies. As the third largest movie industry in the world after Hollywood and Bollywood, Nollywood remains the biggest in the African continent with no competition. Here are the top 10 movies of 2013 as compiled by Connect Nigeria’s beat reporter. The Meeting Produced by Rita Dominic and Mildred Okwo’s The Audrey Silver Company, The Meeting is one of the best movies that reigned supreme at cinemas and currently online, where it can only be watched. Nabbing over four awards and a total of 10 nominations in all the movie awards that held in 2013, the star acts, Femi Jacobs and Linda Ejiofor should be commended for their roles in the flick. Confusion Na Wa Not many gave it a chance in the cinemas but cinema goers and movie buffs that saw the movie maintained it was one of the movies to beat in 2013. Produced by Kenneth Gyang, Confusion Na Wa raked in over nine awards including Best Movie of 2013 at the AMAA and BON Awards with 19 other nominations. Torn Torn brought back to the full-length movie scene some of the talented stars that are now seen mostly on Tinsel. With Iretiola Doyle playing the lead female character and Joseph Benjamin playing alongside as the lead male character, the movie produced and directed by Moses ‘Mo sneeze’ Inwang, brings an unusual Nollywood flick that earned him thumbs up. The flick also starred Bimbo Manuel, Monalisa Chinda and Julius Agwu. Phone Swap Having toured several film festivals, Phone Swap brought glory to Kunle Afolayan’s name again, winning several laurels at different movie awards in the country. He didn’t rest his oars as he made another flick, October 1 in 2013 and starred in Tunde Kelani’s Dazzling Mirage. Maami Acclaimed filmmaker and storyteller, Tunde Kelani reigned supreme in 2013 with Maami, which stars Funke Akindele. Though the movie didn’t give much returns to the producers, it attracted attention at several movie festivals and got award nominations as well as a few awards. Journey to Self Journey to Self brings back the versatility and brilliance of singer and former radio presenter, Michelle Ashionye Raccah. Produced by her hubby’s total media company, the flick boasts of several nominations, awards and a good story that leaves the audience wowed. Flower Girl Michelle Aishat Bello starred alleged lovers, Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh, alongside each other in her captivating romantic comedy, The Flower Girl. The movie generated a large buzz from the media and it didn’t disappoint with several nominations, award plaques and exposure at movie festivals. Assassins’ Practice Assassins’ Practice got the late Justus Esiri an award for the Best Male Lead Actor at the 2013 AMAAs. The movie got several nominations and few plaques but producers, Andrew Ukoko and Dele Ajakaiye, would have wanted more for the depth of brilliance and professionalism exhibited by the stars in the movie. Unforgivable Still a feat to be matched in the Yoruba movie industry- which is embedded in the popular Nollywood- even though it was released in the last quarter of the year. Dayo Amusa teamed up with Desmond Elliot and Mike Ezuruonye to produce Unforgivable. The flick got few nominations but won quite a number at the BON Awards.

Weekend Getaway Obviously the biggest from Emem Isong in 2013. Though it did not have much favourable reviews, Weekend Getaway prides itself in what is referred to as a stellar cast. It stood tall as one of the three flicks that featured Genevieve Nnaji.