A new book, entitled: “Pioneering Nollywood: The Trials and the Errors (An Autoethnographic Account), written by Eliel Otote A., will be presented to the public on July 30, 2025. It is a compelling Nolly-pedia that provides a rare, firsthand account of the early days of the popular Nollywood brand. Blending memoir with critical reflection, this groundbreaking work, in over 800 pages, documents the struggles, bold decisions, and unrecognized sacrifices that laid the foundation for what has become the world’s second-largest film industry.

At its core, the book seeks to document the historical trajectory of Nollywood from the inside out; Explore the challenges and missteps of its earliest practitioners;.Serve as an educational resource for scholars, students, and industry enthusiasts and Celebrate the resilience and ingenuity of the pioneers who carved a path despite systemic obstacles.

The author, Eliel Otote A., brings unmatched credibility to this endeavor. As an actor, director, and industry participant who was present during the early stirrings of Nollywood, Otote writes not as a distant observer but as a front-line contributor. His decades of experience in performance and storytelling, coupled with his academic engagement with media and cultural studies, position him as both a witness and a chronicler of Nollywood’s rise.

This auto-ethnographic narrative includes reflections on collaborations with early filmmakers, analysis of film themes and distribution challenges, and honest revelations about the internal frictions that tested the spirit of the pioneers. It also highlights a curated list of notable practitioners and significant early productions-making it an essential addition to libraries, cultural studies curricula, and archives.
The book is available in print and digital formats and is targeted at educational institutions, researchers, media practitioners, and lovers of African cinema worldwide.Publisher is Arts Pavilion Media Concepts.