Welcome to Nollywood... Nigerian films hit London

First came Hollywood, then Bollywood staked a claim as the centre of the movie business.

Now there is a new contender for the celluloid crown: Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry that has become the second largest producer of films in the world.

The first UK festival celebrating Nollywood will be held in south London this year, giving the capital's movie lovers a chance to enjoy the low budget delights of the Nigerian film industry, which produces up to 2,000 films a year.

The organisers hope that some of Nigeria's actors and film makers will attend the Nollywood Now festival at the Moonshot Centre in New Cross from October 6-12.

Phoenix Fry, founder of the Deptford Film Club, said: "Nigerian films are often dramatic but because pretty much anyone can get access to making films, they end up a lot closer to real life."

There is also a one-day festival of Nigerian cinema at the British Film Institute on the South Bank on October 31.