EXCLUSIVE:’African Oscar awards worth $50million’-Dr. Victor Olatoye, President, NAFCA*Says: ‘I sunk over 3 million dollars into African Oscar in Hollywood*Explains: ‘My take on Nollywood, Hollywood hybrid’*Narrates the success, movie-scripts’ error in film submission*Echoes: ‘We had over 500 Hollywood actors in our historic ceremony in Beverly Hills’*States: ‘We’re Africa’s Number One award in United States’

EXCLUSIVE:
'African Oscar awards worth $50million'
-Dr. Victor Olatoye, President, NAFCA 

*Says: 'I sunk over 3 million dollars into African Oscar in Hollywood
*Explains: 'My take on Nollywood, Hollywood hybrid'
*Narrates the success, movie-scripts' error in film submission 
*Echoes: 'We had over 500 Hollywood actors in our historic ceremony in Beverly Hills'
*States: 'We're Africa's Number One award in United States'   



DR. Victor Olatoye, a widely traveled African-American, graduate of Aristotle's University, Thessalonica, 
Greece is the brain behind 'African Oscar awards', otherwise called 'Nollywood Film Critics & African Film
 Critics Award, NAFCA. Having visited 23 countries, still counting, this highly celebrated film critic with over
 500 reviews of African films across the world granted GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU an incisive interview where
 he talked on salient issues bothering on the evergreen feat of African Oscar in California, why many African
 movie-scripts are fraught with blunders and how he passionately believe Nollywood/Hollywood could partner.



Q: How will you describe the present status of your African Oscar in terms of  acceptability globally?
For  the most part, acceptability is no longer an issue; we just need to continue to create more awareness globally about the African Oscar award. All those who knew about  the African Oscar-NAFCA have accepted us one of the credible awards in Africa, as well as Hollywood.  African Oscar-NAFCA is the leading award in the Diaspora. 

Q: Do you think African Oscar has fully  taken over from Nollywood & African Film Critics' Award,  NAFCA?
African  Oscars and NAFCA are  same. The only thing is: The African Oscar-NAFCA  is subdivided into three award categories, making us the biggest award-franchise in  Africa. There is: The NAFCA which is the film award, The NAFCA Honors and  The Nollywood & African Peoples' Choice Awards.

Q: How will you appraise your last  African Oscar show event done in Hollywood bowl?

That  was the 5th edition. I thought the 4th edition in  Beverly Hills was great, but this one took Nollywood to another level. Over  217 people worked on the award show and I would say we did impressively. For sure, there are always  room for improvements.

Q: What are the major challenges you  faced, and had to overcome in ensuring annual consistency of this  show?
Our challenges  include funding, donations and sponsorships.


Q: Are there times you felt like quitting  African Oscar award, and why?
I  have been discouraged before, but never thought of quitting because winners  never do.

Q: How will you describe the endorsement  of African Oscar by Hollywood actors?
Impressive I must say. Last year all we were expecting were 20 actors and filmmakers until over 500  actors and filmmakers showed up. The support is crazy and we  thank all our team members in Hollywood for making things happen.

Q: How can Nigerian and African  governments benefit from African Oscar?
They will  benefit through the positive promotions we will give to the motherland. We hope  they will support us  financially.

Q: How much financially have you sunk  into this African Oscar project?
So far, we have sunk over  three million dollars.

Q:  What is the net worth of NAFCA turns  African Oscar?
The award is worth about 50 million dollars

Q: Can you take us through some errors  you have noticed in African movies?
The common errors  are grammatical in nature, a situation where you see some stories not entertaining
enough and or too long. Unfortunately, some of the scripts that tell stories are sometimes  problematic.

Q:  As a movie critic, what lessons have  you learnt from movie scripts?
I have learnt that there are lots of issues in our society because the stories told in most  African films are from real life experiences. At times, by reading the scripts, you feel you are sometimes you feel you
experiencing it real-life.

Q: What sort of lessons do you think  African movie sector can learn from Hollywood?
They  can learn the art of film-making the Hollywood style and the professional  etiquette in Hollywood. In Hollywood one hand washes the other; selfishness will not take you far. When you burn your bridges, then your career is over. Movie stars  are very appreciative of awards, they want to win them. Even a nomination is  good enough for some. They promote and talk about the awards, they talk about  been nominated. In Nollywood sector, some do pretend not to care about winning any  award. All humans love to be recognized and Africans are no  exception.

Q: Can you tell how African culture can  use African movies to tell the rich African stories?
We  are already doing that, we are telling our own stories. Most of our stories  are from our cultural experiences.

Q: What virtues stand you out as a  leading-model in African movie practice?
I  am not sure if I am a model. I love to help and bring people together.

Q: What are your philosophies of  life?
Never do anything for money only, but do what you love and do it well. The money will come in due time.




Q: How do you feel when you add value to  peoples' lives daily and put smile on their faces when they come in contact  with you?
It  makes me extremely happy. I say to myself mission  accomplished.

Q: What are your regrets in  life?
No  regrets at all. If I had to do it again I would not change a thing. Even the-not-so-good things in life that happened at one point opens door to new opportunities. However, I don't like it when I am unable to  deliver on some promises because it was just inhumanly impossible.

Q: Are there other projects you are  presently into?
Yes, we are working with Infinite Scholars to provide scholarships to some African  students. There are other big things but I am not allowed to talk about them right now  because they are in the developmental stages.

Q: What is your message to  Nigerian/African movie producers and members of International  Community?
Love  your brothers and sisters as yourself. In-fighting is an 'old school' behaviour and people are
just  tired of that mess. Set your eyes on professionalism  in all you do.

Q: What message will you like to pass  unto Nigerian government regarding ways of having African culture in  forefront of tourism and economic growth?
Truth is: Arts sell and Nollywood is the second employer in Nigeria. Enough of petroleum dependency,  art is life.

Q: Finally, kindly tell us your message to CNN Editorial  Management
You guys rock, we need more entertainment  news.