According to Afrocritik, Utica Capital has officially launched a ₦20 billion film investment fund, marking one of the largest private sector interventions in the history of the Nigerian film industry. The fund, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is designed to provide sustainable capital for commercially viable projects including feature films, series, and documentaries.
The initiative aims to move Nollywood away from “shoestring” budgets and toward global production standards. An advisory committee of seasoned financial and film professionals has been established to vet submissions, ensuring that selected projects have the potential for high returns and cultural impact. Filmmakers across the continent are now being invited to submit pitch decks for the inaugural funding cycle.
* BusinessDay (Financial Daily): “This fund will bridge the gap between creativity and capital, empowering filmmakers to deliver value to investors.”
* The Editor (Afrocritik): “Utica Capital aims to institutionalise global investment standards in the local film market starting March 2026.”
This is a game-changer for the “New Nollywood” era. By involving the SEC and professional investment committees, the industry is transitioning from informal “patronage” to a structured asset class. If successful, this could lead to higher-quality productions that can finally compete for major slots on global streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video without compromising technical quality.
Source: Afrocritik — https://afrocritik.com/utica-capital-establishes-%E2%82%A620-billion-film-fund-for-nollywood/ March 20, 2026
Photo Credit: Afrocritik
