The Alté movement, characterized by its alternative and unconventional approach, has greatly impacted Nigeria’s creative film industry since the 2010s. This cultural movement has allowed young creatives, particularly independent filmmakers, to embrace their uniqueness and tell stories in unconventional styles and methods.
The COVID-19 pandemic, despite its challenges, brought about a surge in creativity among these filmmakers. With limited resources and restricted movement, they turned to streaming platforms like YouTube and TikTok to showcase their talents. Many of them resorted to using smartphones and ring lights to shoot movies, which unexpectedly propelled them to stardom. The online platform provided a readily available audience that engaged with their videos and subscribed to their channels.
As lockdown restrictions eased and people returned to the streets, these independent filmmakers took their craft to various locations, including streets, rivers, mountains, valleys, and even overseas, to create captivating and unconventional content. Some of them, who had initially filmed for fun during the lockdown, turned their passion into a professional career when the opportunity presented itself.
Today, these emerging indie filmmakers exist outside the traditional Nigerian motion picture industry known as Nollywood. They have gained recognition and popularity through their unique storytelling approaches and captivating content.
One prominent figure in this scene is Korty EO, a multi-talented filmmaker, graphic designer, writer, model, and artist. With a substantial following on YouTube and numerous channel views, Korty EO has become a popular face among Gen Z viewers. She was even selected as one of the honorees for the YouTube Black Voices Class of 2023 and had the opportunity to film the Victoria’s Secret 2023 world tour.
Another notable figure is Tayo Aina, known as Nigeria’s most famous travel vlogger. With his niche in lifestyle, travel, business, and real estate, Aina offers a unique perspective on the Nigerian and African story, challenging the stereotypes perpetuated by Western media. His YouTube channel has attracted a significant subscriber base and millions of views.
Manuchim Praize, also known as Odogwu, is a young independent filmmaker from Port Harcourt who has redefined filmmaking in Nigeria. He gained recognition through his popular action web series, ‘Selina Tested,’ and has amassed a substantial following on YouTube. Praize’s work has introduced and popularized several street words in Nigerian pidgin lexicography.
Brain Jotter, known for his unconventional style of comedy, has also made a mark in the Nigerian entertainment scene. Despite facing initial criticism, his unique approach to comedy has garnered a significant online following. Brain Jotter has ventured into online movie production, with his web series “Five Days In Prison” gaining millions of views in a short period.
Overall, these emerging indie filmmakers have embraced the Alté movement and have successfully carved out their space in Nigeria’s creative film industry. They continue to captivate audiences with their unconventional storytelling and non-traditional modes of self-expression.