Nollywood and Kannywood actor Uzee Usman has identified poor sponsorship and limited investment as the biggest obstacles preventing the growth of Kannywood, Nigeria’s Hausa-language film industry.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Morayo Show, the filmmaker said the industry has existed for years and is rich in quality storytelling, but has failed to reach its full potential because it lacks financial backing from influential individuals in northern Nigeria.
“Despite being around for a while and having good stories, I think the major issue affecting Kannywood is the lack of sponsorship and investment,” he said.
“Many northerners who are millionaires and politicians don’t really believe in or invest in the entertainment industry the way people in the South (Nollywood) do.”
Usman, whose full name is Uzee Usman Adeyemi, is of Yoruba descent from Kwara State but was born and raised in Kaduna State.
He earned degrees in Political Science and English Language from the University of Abuja and later received an honorary doctorate in Media and Communications Studies from Iheris University, Togo. He also studied Special Effects in South Africa.
Prompt News reports the actor began his entertainment career in 2003 as a make-up artist before transitioning into filmmaking in 2013.
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Over the years, he has produced and starred in several award-winning projects in both Kannywood and Nollywood. His film Oga Abuja won Best Hausa Movie of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards, while Maja clinched Best Film of the Year (Kannywood) at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards and also received a nomination in the Best Picture category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
His other notable works include Voiceless, Mustapha, Anikulapo, and A Tribe Called Judah.
