Hollywood bonds with Nollywood

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG), New York,  has launched an informal partnership with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), meeting with leaders of the African group in Hollywood, HVP has learnt.

SAG president Ken Howard and National executive  Director, David White held  series of meetings on Wednesday with an AGN delegates led by president Segun Arinze and National secretary Emeka Rollas. Other delegates are film maker Ogbanna Kingsley, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Obi Osotule, Uchenna Nnanna and Ejiro Okurame.

Arinze confirmed the development to HVP, on telephone during the week. The team left Nigeria for America last week, and they are in the United States to facilitate collaborative ventures with ethir Hollywood counterparts.

“This is Hollywood welcoming Nollywood,” Howard said, during a lunch at the Marmalade restaurant in Hollywood. “We look forward to a long-term dialogue.” he added

Howard Continued, “the relationship would continue after the planned merger vote with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) next spring.

Rollas, who has acted in more than 60 Nigerian films, said he believes the 13-year-old Nigerian guild will be able to use SAG’s platform  to  expand as the Nigerian film business evolves. AGN joined the International Federation of Actors earlier this year.

“Whether it’s championing the audiovisual performances treaty at WIPO or working to exchange ideas and best practices, the guild’s collaboration with unions like the Actors Guild of Nigeria is crucial to advancing the cause of all actors,” said Duncan Crabtree Ireland, deputy national exec director and general counse who also spoke at the meeting.