Callywood born in Cross River

Callywood born in Cross River

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 2:29 pm


Egor Efiok, middle, with Governor Ben Ayade

Egor Efiok, middle, with Governor Ben Ayade. Photo: Sync Media

Nigeria’s film industry, known more as Nollywood now has another branch: Callywood.

It’s the second branch after Kannywood was created in Kano.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state has incorporated Callywood and appointed Egor Efiok to run it.

Efiok is the producer of the popular film, Hollywood Meets Nollywood.

To demonstrate that the state known for tourism means business, Egor Efiok has moved down to Calabar from her London base to take charge of Callywood. She will operate from Tinapa Studio.

And her aim is to help discover and make stars in the state. Already, she has set 28 May for an audition and has invited just anyone who thinks he has an acting talent to come over.

Egor Efiok, doscusses with Governor Ben Ayade

Egor Efiok, doscusses with Governor Ben Ayade

In a statement, Efiok set out her mission:
” Many of you know about Hollywood Meets Nollywood film, Turning Point, and how I cast 2 Cross River State actors in it (Igoni Archibong and Ebbe Bassey) with Igoni playing lead alongside all the Hollywood actors. Igoni went along to win 2 Best Actor In A Leading Role Awards and travelled back to the US to receive his NAFCA trophy. I did a similar casting call before the shooting of Turning Point and that was how I discovered Igoni. This gave me the inspiration to keep trying to discover more stars in Cross River State and thankfully, our action Governor, His Excellency Ben Ayade, has an even larger vision for you all.

“I am here with my team to train new actors, cinematographers, scriptwriters etc to international standards and this is a casting call for everyone in Cross River State who is talented and has never been given a chance. I am here to give you that chance and am very easily accessible. I want Callywood’s answer to James Bond! I want Callywood’s answer to Dracula! I want Callywood’s answer to Samuel L Jackson! I want Callywood’s answer to Jamie Fox! I want Callywood’s answer to Meryl Streep! I want Callywood’s answer to Leonardo Di Caprio! I want Callywood’s answer to Game Of Thrones! I want Callywood’s answer to Oscar Award Winning scriptwriter David Seidler! I want Callywood’s answer to Steven Spielberg! I want Callywood’s next best cinematographer! I want Callywood 10-year-old method actors! I want Callywood soulful actors! I want Callywood child actors! I want Callywood musical actors! I want Callywood stunt actors! I want Callywood elderly actors! If you are that person, I am here for you and will fully train you. All I want from you is talent and myself and my talented team will do the rest.”

“To inspire you further and to bring out the best in you, I will collaborate with Hollywood on every Callywood film that we make and ensure that the Callywood stars stand out and are recognised and acknowledged internationally. If you have watched Beast Of No Nation with Idris Elba playing a support role to the lead 12-year-old Ghanaian actor Abraham Attah, you will get my drift. This is your chance to prove that you have it in you.

“I have several films written for Callywood right now and am ready to shoot. I just need you talented Cross Riverian stars. Let us flood the market with Callywood stars! Let’s go there!!!”


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