Filmmaker and founder of the media production company Anthill Studios, Niyi Akinmolayan, has shared practical insights on how aspiring creatives can break into Nollywood within 2 years.

Akinmolayan, known for his work across both blockbuster and independent productions, offered the insights in a post on his X page on Wednesday.

The director of “The Wedding Party 2”, “Chief Daddy”, and “Lisabi: The Uprising” said: “If you want to make films and you have a very rich or influential financier, you can become a top filmmaker within two years, even bag awards and start doing masterclasses at events.

“Cast, crew, distributors and exhibitors will work with you even if they’ve never heard of you or seen your work.”

Gatekeeping

The 43-year-old also criticised the absence of proper gatekeeping within the industry.

He stated, “There are no real gatekeepers in Nollywood because there are no gates. It’s just money or the lack of it. As long as you want to or have made a film and are ready to spend money on its release, no gates anywhere. You don’t have money. Like everything else in Nigeria.”

Akinmolayan’s remarks came at a time when many filmmakers raised concerns about the growing influx of individuals entering the industry without proper training or artistic vision, but with sufficient funds to finance productions.

Challenges

Concerns have continued to mount among stakeholders in the sector, who argued that the rise of untrained producers, driven largely by financial capacity rather than skill, had contributed to declining production standards, the exploitation of talent, and potential damage to the industry’s reputation.

READ ALSO; ‘Nigeria is currently better off than many years ago’ — 2Baba

Some filmmakers noted that the trend often led to poorly funded, technically weak projects that struggled to compete on the global stage.

Background

Akinmolayan last made headlines in December 2025, when he accused some Nigerian cinemas of undermining new film releases in an Instagram post.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that he warned that he would name cinemas allegedly disrupting the theatrical run of his film, “Colours of Fire”, if the issue were not promptly resolved.

Akinmolayan further alleged that some cinemas advertised the film on their websites and sold tickets, only to refuse to screen it when audiences arrived.

He described the practice as deceptive and exploitative, adding that he had already identified three cinemas involved and would reveal their names, along with those of their managers, if the situation continued.

How to become top Nollywood filmmaker in two years – Niyi Akinmolayan

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