BY ODIGIE OKPATAKU

It has taken nearly 80 years, but a Nigerian movie will finally be screened in a hallowed official slot at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.

After decades of being written off for its cheap and cheerful crowd-pleasers, Nollywood — the frenetic film industry based in Lagos, which churns out up to five films a day — is basking in the reflected glory.

A report said Nigerian producers admit that they are still struggling to reach audiences outside Africa beyond the diaspora, despite making way more films every year than Hollywood.

Nigerians have long lapped up Nollywood’s never-ending deluge of low-budget dramas about love, poverty, religion and corruption, often spiced with the supernatural and the clash between modern and traditional values.

Not exactly known for their quality, many are shot at breakneck speed on shoestring budgets.