Vanessa Obioha
Nicolette Ndigwe is fast emerging as an influential force in the Nigerian film industry. Recognized as a rising star, this award-winning actor, writer and producer from southeastern Nigeria is considered “one of Africa's young female producers who are making strides internationally.”
Following the success of her debut feature film ‘Before Valentines’ – which kept viewers captivated for 43 days in Netflix’s Top 10 – Ndigwe is now set to release her latest film ‘On Different Grounds’.
Written nearly two decades ago, the romantic drama features a host of impressive artistes from Nigeria, the US, Ghana and India, including Miss Earth USA 2020, Abena Akuba, Bollywood stars Vineet Raina and Nimesh Diliprai, and Nollywood stars Ifeanyi Kalu, Uche Montana and Jennifer Eliogu. The cast also includes Uche Jombo, Bambam Adenibuyan, Ebele Okaro, Aproko Doctor and Bob-Manuel Udokwu.
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Directed by Mildred Okwo and co-written with Writers Inc and Joy Oyedia, the film focuses on the complexities of a Nigerian family wedding.
Ndigwe’s production company, Half a Buck and a Quarter Impressions (HB&Q Impressions Studios), is currently working on a slate of four international films scheduled between 2023 and 2025, several of which are already fully funded. ‘On Different Grounds’ will be a landmark project as the first Nollywood/Nollywood collaboration by a Nigerian producer and director.
“'On Different Grounds' is my way of promoting cultural harmony through art and telling the world that we are all more similar than we are different,” she said. “This film will be something that people of all ages and every culture will enjoy and will also showcase the beauty of a proper Nigerian wedding.”
Ndigwe said of choosing Okwo as director: “There are very few directors like him who could understand the nuances of the kind of story I wanted to tell and bring to life the subtle traditional African heart of it.”
Ndigwe began her professional journey in filmmaking at the age of 16 with the acclaimed film 'Damage'. By the age of 22, she had written over 30 scripts and won several awards, including the Best of Nollywood Award for 'Damage'. Her advocacy short film 'Anawe', funded by Sterling Bank, addressed maternal and infant mortality caused by malaria. Her debut feature film 'Before Valentines' not only became Netflix's second most-watched Nigerian film for the first half of 2023 but also won international recognition including Best Film at the Gold Film Awards in Milan.
Ndigwe's artistic talent and innovative vision have established her as a transformative presence in Nollywood. Her work with 'On Different Grounds' exemplifies her commitment to pushing boundaries and setting new trends. In addition to her filmmaking accomplishments, she founded MACMME, a humanitarian organization that uses storytelling to address social issues.
Influenced by her political parents and exposed to Nigeria's diverse socio-cultural dynamics, she has a diverse upbringing that has greatly influenced her creative approach. Married to actor and producer Ifeanyi Kalu and mother of a young son, Ndigwe is poised for further success.
Looking ahead, Ndigwe has secured funding for her next big project, which is to be filmed in Nigeria and the UK. She is currently collaborating with the British Deputy High Commission to pursue this endeavor and is focused on growing her brand and expanding the reach of her films.
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