This year, 17 African countries mark 50 years of independence. The Mantle and Project Africa's joint series, African Revolutions, marks this milestone with a series of live events and online publications examining each of these countries.
On November 12, the second in our series of live events with Project Africa featured Nigerian music, food, and film. Ekerete Udoh, Editor in Chief of the Diasporan Star kicked off the night by introducing the phenomenon of Nollywood (i.e., Nigerian Hollywood) 
to an audience munching on delicious Nigerian eats. See some pictures below, and view a write-up of the event on Project Africa's website here.
Nollywood is the second largest film industry in the world, after India's Bollywood, and just ahead of American Hollywood. Over 200 films are churned out... every month! Advances in digital technology and decreases in costs of production and distribution are fueling this wildly popular industry.
For Nollywood Night, we screened part one of Coronation (2004), the story of Akwaika, a wealthy young man who desired by all means to belong to the ozo cult in his community. Originally, a poor man, trained by his brother and uncle, Akwaika becomes rich and forgets all those who helped educate him. This film can be called a cultural tale that combines village politics, a traditional title-taking ceremony in the South-East of Nigeria, and the quest for power and authority among the people (I.E. Uwah, 2009). Directed by: Ifeanyi Azodo; starring: Pete Edochie, Maureen Solomon, Clem Ohameze, and Kanayo O Kanayo.
Photos by Jika González.
Shaun Randol introducing the evening.
Attendees at Nollywood Night.
Ekerete Udoh discusses Nollywood and The Diasporan Star.
Arthur Kaye digests The Diasporan Star.
Udoh addressing the crowd.
Attendees absorb Nollywood facts.
Udoh settles in to watch the film.
An attendee examines The Diasporan Star.
The movie.
Coronation begins!
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