Lantawood To Showcase Nigerian Movies In American South

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Lantawood begins first Cinema in the South showcasing Nigerian movies
Written by Baruti M. Kamau on 08/26/2009 @ 1:16 A.M.

Atlanta, Georgia (BarutiwaDaily.com) - On a recent vacation to Atlanta, I stumbled across an interesting block of black owned businesses across the street from the famous West End Mall. The Afro-Centric network store front initially caught my eye. By the time I pulled over to look at it in detail, I became interested in another nearby business that was advertising African movies. As I walked toward the entrance there was a man who appeared to be waiting for someone. I inquired about the store being open. He said it was closed. I asked him about Nigerian movies. He informed me there was a locally produced cinema nearby showcasing Nigerian and Independent African-American movies. He gave me two free tickets and told me to follow him.

We walked to the back of the building and smack in my face was the entrance to Lantawood via The Alley At The West End. There was a concession stand with a little girl serving hot dogs, pop corn and soda. Boasting 39 seats, the theatre possessed a 70 inch wide screen and two exits. It was the first cinema, I've ever seen in America specifically showcasing Nigerian movies. I was impressed with Lantawood's example. Not only do Lantawood distribute Nigerian and Independent movies but they are also on the production side. Lantawood was founded by Namso Akpan, a Nigerian entrepreneur and film director. Mr. Akpan envisions a day when a movie industry comprising Nollywood and Lantawood will emerge as a competent alternative to Hollywood for African-American actors and actresses.

The developing success of Nollywood, the Africanized name given to the Nigerian film industry, is central to this equation. Nollywood brings credibility and an immediate international audience. Afro-America allows penetration into various U.S. markets and significant residual revenue streams. Nollywood with its existing market is currently worth $250 million. A successful penetration into Afro-America will push Nollywood into a billion dollar industry according to conservative estimates.

Lantawood is still in the development stage. The owners are in the process of building a regional distributorship for America.