James Omokwe Cites Financing Gaps as Nollywood’s Epic Challenge

James Omokwe, director of the forthcoming Benin epic Osamede, has called for stronger financial structures in Nollywood to support large-scale film productions.

Speaking ahead of the film’s Nigerian release on October 17, Omokwe revealed that Osamede went significantly over budget, with unplanned costs ranging from security to logistics. The production, shot in Fugar, Edo State, required heavy security escorts for cast and crew due to safety concerns, adding to expenses beyond the planned financial scope.

“Sometimes when people watch films, they think, ‘Oh yeah, they spent a lot of money,’ but there are so many behind-the-scenes costs that drain the budget,” Omokwe said. “On this project, we went over budget—way over.”

The filmmaker noted that while Nollywood audiences are eager to consume diverse stories, investors remain hesitant because the industry lacks reliable return models. “That’s the real issue: we don’t have a structured system that guarantees returns. Once we fix that, by creating an enabling environment where people see film as a viable business, investment will flow,” he explained.

Omokwe credited executive producer Lillian Olubi’s background in finance for helping secure funds for Osamede. However, he stressed that not every filmmaker has such access, making epic storytelling difficult to sustain. “What we need is to build our own autonomous ecosystem where our stories can thrive. Right now, whether we like it or not, we’re struggling,” he added.

Osamede, which had its international premiere at the Cannes Film Market earlier this year, follows an orphaned girl who discovers supernatural powers during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom. Omokwe positions the film as both entertainment and cultural preservation, but he maintains that financing remains the greatest challenge to achieving such ambitious storytelling in Nollywood.