Exploring Nollywood film remakes at 9th Lagos Studies Association conference
By Editor
THE Lagos Studies Association (LSA) has announced a call for panelists for the 9th annual conference scheduled to take place from June 17 — 21, 2025. Titled ‘Nollywood Film Remakes: Digital, Thematic, and Narrative (Dis)Continuities,’ the panel will delve into the complexities of film remakes in the Nigerian film industry.
Organized by Dr. Charles Okwuowulu of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State and Dr. C. A. Ogbonna of Pan-Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos the session will examine the transformative trajectory of Nollywood. Both scholars are encouraging academics, filmmakers, and industry professionals to contribute their insights on this dynamic aspect of Nigerian cinema.
The panel description highlights how Nollywood has evolved, particularly through the trend of remaking classic films. It notes that the advent of digital technology and Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and IrokoTV, has significantly reshaped the production, distribution and reception of Nigerian films.
Drawing comparisons between the iconic films of the early 1990s and their recent remakes, the panel will focus on the (dis)continuities across technological, thematic, and narrative dimensions. For instance, films like Living in Bondage (1993) and its sequel Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019), as well as Rattlesnake (1994) and Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020), reflect the evolving storytelling techniques within Nollywood.
Topics to be discussed during the panel include ‘The Impact of Digital Innovation on Filmmaking’, ‘Thematic Shifts between Original Films and their Remakes’, ‘Depictions of Nigerian Society Across Decades’, ‘Audience Reception of Classic Versus Contemporary Films’, ‘Methods and Cultural Implications of Remakes’ and ‘The Role of Cinematography, Editing and Distribution in Shaping Narratives.’
This panel promises to foster a critical dialogue about the interplay between Nollywood’s rich history and its innovative future, making it a must-attend event for scholars and practitioners in the field.
