Popular Nollywood actor Tayo Faniran has alleged that gatekeeping, favouritism and personal sentiments are making it difficult for talented actors and filmmakers to get the opportunities they deserve in Nollywood.

Speaking with Sunday Scoop, Faniran said his position stemmed from personal experiences in the industry, stressing that he simply wants talent to be given a fair chance to thrive.

"I just want things to be fair, because a lot of people out there can judge without understanding how much it hurts. Your film can be really solid. But one person's opinion, bias or sentiment can influence who they decide to give awards to. And that can rob you of your growth or where you're supposed to get to," he said.

Faniran, who first came into the limelight as a Big Brother Africa winner, said he had always been intentional about his acting career and the kind of actor he wants to become.

Citing the 2023 film Gangs of Lagos, in which he featured, he said he had expected an award nomination following the film's success.

"With the success of Gangs of Lagos, I was so sure that I was going to get nominated that year. I see the films that my colleagues get nominated for, and I know this job. As a consumer of movies, I know great films," he said.

He suggested that controversy surrounding the film may have hurt its chances at award ceremonies.

"I think because of some people suing Gangs of Lagos and the message in the film, we were not nominated for any award that year. We were completely snubbed," he said.

Faniran also pointed to The Fire and the Moth, arguing that the film deserved recognition across several categories.

"Let's even say maybe they don't want to give Tayo, what about the director? What about the photography, like the DOP? What about the sound?" he said.

Beyond awards, Faniran alleged that certain individuals within the industry have influence over the opportunities available to others.

"I know people who are blocking my way or who are not making my journey easy or as smooth as it should have been," he said.

He further claimed that some people at the top of the industry got there through what he described as "magomago," nepotism, favouritism and personal connections.

"A lot of people, whether as a filmmaker or as an actor, are at the top because of nepotism, favouritism, squads and gangs," he added.

Drawing a comparison with the Afrobeats industry, Faniran argued that emerging musicians can gain opportunities based on potential, regardless of how long they've been active, unlike in Nollywood.

"When an opportunity comes into the industry, they don't look for individuals with potentials; they go to the gatekeepers," he said, adding that this dynamic could prevent young talents from introducing fresh ideas into the industry.

Despite his frustrations, Faniran said he has decided to stop waiting for opportunities and instead create his own.

"I'm older now, so it's time for me to start creating opportunities, to start building my own table, so that I can also help create new generation of stars through my platform," he said.

He revealed that he produced his first film, Man Like Jimmy, in 2020, and later produced a four-episode series, Bodija, into which he said he invested more than N100 million.

"I invested over N100m to make the film. With the pains, sweat and tears of everyone that worked on the film, all that we need is just a fair hearing or a fair submission," he said.

Faniran stressed that his comments were not aimed at any particular individual, but at what he described as a wider, systemic problem within the industry, calling for a system where films and actors are judged on merit rather than personal relationships.

ID