An African Giant Genevieve Nnaji is a defining force in Nollywood, having taken part in countless impactful movies since she started acting as a child. After her introduction to the Nigerian film industry with the movie ‘Most Wanted’ at the ripe age of 19, her successful career had continued on an impressive trajectory – racking up numerous roles and regional awards in gripping dramas such as Sharon Stone, Ijé: The Journey, Power of Love and Not Man Enough.
Her talent gained her a good amount of movie audiences as she emerged as one of the best paid actresses within African cinema – something she continues to enjoy today. As such, there’s no denying that Genevieve Nnaji has left an impactful mark on the world of cinema – and will remain a pioneering voice for generations to come. Throughout her decades of impactful work, Genevieve Nnaji has emerged as a top face of Nollywood. Her star-studded career saw her feature in an impressive lead role in the movie “Tango with Me”. It only became brighter when she starred in movies such as “Weekend Getaway”, “Half of a Yellow Sun”, and “Doctor Bello”.
She further cemented her place in cinematic stardom by producing and starring in the critically acclaimed movie “Road to Yesterday” in 2015. Her impact is reflected not just through her numerous awards and nominations such as Best Actress in the 2005 edition of Africa Movie Academy Awards, but also through being honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian Government for her contributions to art in 2011. Clearly, Genevieve Nnaji has made an impact on Nollywood.
The talented actress took things a step further in 2018 when she struck a deal with United Talent Agency (UTA), one of the largest talent agencies in the world. This collaboration enabled Genevieve to potentially team up with big Hollywood filmmakers and produce movies by retelling African stories. The impact that this might have on culture, both at home and abroad is undeniable.
Her directorial debut the ‘Lion Heart’ 2018 Nigerian drama film produced by Chinny Onwugbenu made history by being bought by Netflix- making it the first original Nigerian production to be acquired by America’s leading movie streaming company. Lionheart made a massive impact with its selection as Nigeria’s entry to the 92nd Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. This marks a remarkable milestone, as it is the very first time that Nigeria has submitted a film to the Oscars. The appreciation of this impact includes furthering recognition and inspiring African filmmakers.
