Lilwin welcomes Nigerian movie stars for ‘Journey to Africa’ production

– Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, has welcomed a star-studded cast of Nigerian actors for his upcoming movie, “Journey to Africa”.

Veteran Nigerian actors Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Mike Ezuruonye, Destiny Etiko and Charles Awurum arrived in Ghana ahead of the production, with Lilwin personally receiving them at Accra International Airport.

The film is expected to feature a blend of Ghanaian and Nigerian talents, with Lilwin seeking to produce a project capable of attracting audiences across the African continent and beyond.

Speaking upon the arrival of the movie stars, Lilwin said the project represented a major milestone in his filmmaking career and highlighted the importance of collaboration within the West African movie industry.

He noted that working with Nigerian actors had often been easier because of their responsiveness to production requests.

“It is easier to work with Nigerian actors because they are responsive when you contact them, unlike some Ghanaian actors,” he said.

Lilwin also used the occasion to appeal for greater support for Ghana's film industry, saying productions involving established actors could help rejuvenate the sector and create new opportunities.

“Let us support the industry so that we can revamp the movie sector. I also appeal that no controversial news should overshadow my film project,” he said.

Beyond production, Lilwin outlined an ambitious distribution strategy for Journey to Africa, with plans to premiere the movie in Accra before taking it to audiences across Ghana and overseas.

According to him, the National Theatre is being considered as the venue for the premiere before the movie proceeds to cinemas and other screening locations.

In Kumasi, he said venues at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and other centres were being considered, while promoters in other regions would be given the opportunity to organise screenings.

The Journey to Africa project is expected to be one of the biggest collaborations between Ghanaian and Nigerian actors in recent years as Lilwin seeks to expand the reach of his productions beyond Ghana's borders.

Lilwin has won many awards in his illustrious career spanning over a decade and has spearheaded some groundbreaking projects including “A Country Called Ghana,” “Ibrahim Traore,” among others.

— GNA