Nollywood movie bags 14 nominations at Toronto Film Festival

Nollywood movie, Nnewi the land of Gold, produced by Chinwe Eboh has received 14 nominations for the 2024 Toronto Film Festival in Canada.

Speaking on what inspired the movie, the producer, Eboh said: “I’ve always wanted to go into the history of our Igbo people. I spoke with a friend about my plans to write a script about the Owerri people and my friend told me that she could introduce me to someone who could tell the history of the Nnewi people.

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“Nnewi is a very big place and I took the trip there. I met up with Nnayi Anyanwu Igbo who told me this captivating story of Nnewi as the land of gold.”

Eboh, who had also produced ‘Ultimate Deceit’ and many others, explained how she embarked on research for the movie.

“It took me about six months. I was in Nnewi for two months, searching, going through Google, libraries, reading books, visiting bookshops and interviewing residents of Nnewi.

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“While I was there, I noticed that Nnewi people are very creative and industrious. They also help each other.  Nnewi people are down to earth even the richest man in Nnewi still rides motorcycles.”

The movie was nominated in the following 14 categories: Official Selection, Best Drama Nollywood, Best Supporting Actress (Lilian Esoro), Best Supporting Actor (Jim Iyke), Best Supporting Actor Africa (Chiwetalu Agu), Best Supporting Actor African (Jim Iyke), Best Actor African Film (Pet Edochie), Best Actress African Film (Patience Ozokwo), Best Hair and Makeup, Best Costume, Best Art Director, Best Cinematographer, Best African Female Filmmaker (Chinwe Eboh) and Best Director Africa (Toka Mcbaror).