Film Villages Are Changing How Nollywood Works

In recent years, Nigeria’s entertainment industry has seen a steady rise in film villages — permanent spaces built for filmmaking that also welcome tourists and visitors. These projects offer infrastructure for producers while creating opportunities for cultural tourism.

Film villages are designed to ease the challenges of filming in unpredictable or unstructured environments. At the same time, they promote local traditions and history through architecture, design, and hospitality.

Some notable examples across the country include:

• Asaba Film Village, located in Delta State, is considered a central destination for film production thanks to the region’s long-standing role in Nollywood.

• Kunle Afolayan’s KAP Film Village and Resort in Igbojaye, Oyo State, covers 60 acres and includes lodging, cultural centers, and recreational spaces. The Netflix film “Aníkúlápó” was shot there.

• Africhatta Film Village and Resort, founded by Ibrahim Chatta in 2023, sits on 74 acres in Oyo town and features traditional Yoruba architecture. It hosted productions like “Iyalode.”

• BAP Film Village in Epe, Lagos State, was developed by Bolanle Austen-Peters and served as the location for her film “House of Ga’a,” based on events from 18th-century Yoruba history.

Each of these projects reflects a growing interest in structured, locally grounded production spaces — something Nollywood has lacked for years.

Supporting the Industry

Film villages help solve many of the logistical issues filmmakers face, such as limited access to good locations, rising costs, or interruptions due to weather or community interference. With dedicated sets and infrastructure, filmmakers can work faster and more efficiently.

These setups also allow for better continuity during long shoots and reduce the need to move cast and crew between multiple, scattered sites. For streaming platforms and international investors, it makes Nigerian productions more appealing and consistent.

Bringing in Tourists

Beyond production, many film villages are also designed to attract visitors. At KAP, for example, guests can stay in hotel rooms or villas, dine at the restaurants, and explore the grounds — which include swimming pools, gardens, and spaces for screenings or workshops.

Film fans interested in how movies are made can take tours of shooting locations or participate in events. For others, it’s a chance to experience local culture through food, music, and architecture.

This mix of tourism and filmmaking is opening new income sources, especially in areas outside of major cities.

For Family, Friends, and Community Use

These spaces aren’t limited to filmmakers and tourists. They’re also being used for family holidays, cultural ceremonies, school excursions, and group retreats. Some even host photography shoots or serve as settings for private events like weddings or birthdays.

In many cases, this wider use strengthens ties between the film villages and the surrounding communities. It also helps preserve aspects of local culture that may otherwise be underrepresented or commercialized.

Vacation Without Leaving Culture Behind

Film villages also work as travel destinations. For those looking to explore new parts of the country, these sites offer a quiet and scenic alternative to more commercial resorts.

Visitors can stay in locally themed accommodations, try regional dishes, attend live performances, or take part in creative activities. Some also offer souvenir shops with handmade crafts, movie merchandise, or traditional art.

Being based in rural or semi-urban areas gives them an added advantage: peace and nature without being completely cut off from the cultural life of Nigeria.

Local Jobs and Long-Term Impact

Unlike one-off film shoots, film villages provide steady employment. Staff are hired to maintain the grounds, manage bookings, build and maintain sets, run hospitality services, and assist production teams. These are long-term roles that support families and help local economies.

As more productions move into these spaces, the demand for skilled workers — from lighting technicians to tour guides — continues to grow.

A Sign of What’s Possible

The rise of film villages shows how the film industry can contribute to other sectors — not just through stories on screen, but through jobs, education, tourism, and cultural preservation.

Their success is encouraging more investment in creative infrastructure. It also shows that Nollywood doesn’t have to depend only on chaotic or borrowed spaces to tell its stories.

Still, it’s important that access to these facilities isn’t limited to big names. Independent filmmakers and smaller crews should be able to use them too — as long as they have the tools and plans to make the most of it.