The New York Film Academy notes that biopics highlight the significant accomplishments, struggles, and personal stories of notable figures such as political leaders, musicians, artists, athletes, and scientists.
These films can be both educational and entertaining, providing insight into the intricate lives of real individuals.
While biopics can generate substantial revenue for filmmakers, they also come with high production costs.
Antoine Fuqua, a renowned American film director recognized for his contributions to the action and thriller genres, is set to release a biopic about the King of Pop, which is expected to explore the child abuse allegations surrounding him.
According to a report from IMDb, the production budget for this project is estimated at around $150 million.
An authorized biopic about the life of the late American superstar Whitney Houston was announced in early 2020, with a production budget of $45 million. Filming took place in Massachusetts and New Jersey from August to December 2021, with royalties directed to her family, ensuring their financial comfort throughout their lives.
Opportunities for Nigerian Filmmakers
There have been several biographical films highlighting prominent Nigerians who have made significant contributions to society, whether positively or negatively. Notable examples include Finding Fela, Amina, Amaka’s Kin: The Women of Nollywood, 93 Days, Badamasi: Portrait of a General, Anini, and Sango: The Legendary African King (1997). Nevertheless, many film enthusiasts argue that the industry has the potential to do much more in educating younger audiences about the historical figures who have elevated Nigeria's profile on the global stage.
At present, Nigeria, as Africa's most populous nation, is underrepresented in the global biopic landscape, largely due to the insufficient focus on this segment of the film market.
“Biopics revolve around individuals' lives, and there is a strong public interest in learning more about legends and heroes, which is the primary appeal of biopics,” remarked Amanda Isikoro, a film enthusiast based in the United States.
“Nigeria is just beginning to explore this genre but should allocate more resources to biopics. There is a need to invest in this market segment and, crucially, to tell stories of individuals who resonate with the public. Additionally, authenticity is key; some Nollywood productions can appear somewhat unrealistic,” she added.
In a conversation with Tunde Kelani, a seasoned filmmaker known for his work on Ayinla, he expressed his commitment to highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Abeokuta through his films.
Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, an acclaimed Nigerian film director and producer, often referred to as ‘De’ Guvnor’, emphasized the significant opportunities that remain untapped in this area.
He stated, “It is evident that we are making progress. For instance, I produced a film for Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri, who operates ‘Ruth Kadiri 247’ on YouTube, and I was astonished to see that she garnered a million views in less than two days.”
I was quite astonished to see that she garnered approximately 90,000 views in just three hours related to the project.
Limited historical awareness
The lack of biographical films has notable repercussions, as experts suggest.
Chukwuemeka Ufoh, a film enthusiast, shared, “While driving my son to school recently, I played my favorite tracks by Oliver De Coque and Onyeka Onwenu. Suddenly, he inquired why I frequently listened to their music. I attempted to explain the significance of these legends, but I ended up perplexing him even more.
“If there were biopics about these icons, it would have made it easier for my son to grasp their importance. Today's children tend to prefer watching documentaries or biopics over reading.”
Reasons for Nigerian filmmakers' reluctance
As previously mentioned by Kelani, there are specific reasons why many filmmakers avoid creating biopics.
“I think producing biopics can be beneficial and potentially profitable, but some producers hesitate to pursue such projects because they fear the audience may not be interested in the featured personalities. To avoid wasting resources, they opt for different types of films.”
Nigeria's entertainment sector holds significant promise
Nollywood produces over 2,000 films annually, generating an estimated revenue of $1.2 billion, as reported by Fun Time Magazine.
In 2024, Nollywood films contributed 39 percent (N2.8 billion) to the total box office revenue of N7.4 billion, reflecting a substantial increase from the previous year. The film ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ led this success, grossing over N1 billion.
As noted by Imasuen, Nollywood's potential is much greater than commonly acknowledged.
“It’s astonishing to consider the global reach of Nollywood. When you compare that to its market value, it becomes clear that our film industry has gained serious traction. Those who have tapped into this market potential are reaping financial rewards monthly. That’s one aspect.
“We’ve also seen impressive figures, such as Funke Akindele’s film, which earned around N1 billion at the box office, with many others thriving in Nollywood. I recently remade my hit film, Issakaba Returns, which is among Nigeria’s most beloved movies, investing over N300 million in the production.
“The market size of the Nigerian film industry is now quite substantial. For example, I recently viewed ‘The House of Ga’ah’ and could see the investment that went into it. While some may incur losses, the overall outlook is promising, especially when considering our progress.”