“Movie Making Is About Talent, Not Fine Faces”- Kanayo O. Kanayo Cautions Nollywood Producers

• Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has expressed concerns about casting practices in the film industry.
• He emphasizes that producers should prioritize acting ability over physical appearance.
• Kanayo shared his message through a video on Instagram, highlighting the importance of performance and skill in movie-making.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has cautioned film producers against the growing trend of casting based on physical appearance rather than acting ability.

In a video message shared on Instagram, the 62-year-old stressed that movie-making should be centered on performance and skill, not facial appeal.

“Movie making is not about being a fine face. It’s about being a good actor, a good performer. With or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do,” he said.

Kanayo recalled that more than two decades ago, some sponsors in Nollywood created damaging labels that ruined the careers of many promising actors.

“About 25 years ago, some sponsors woke up and they were branding the actors. ‘This one is not a good one. This one does not sell films.’ They killed the career of those guys. And I can mention names, but for the sanctity of this broadcast, I am not going to,” he recounted.

He expressed concern that a similar pattern is now reemerging on digital platforms, where only a select few so-called “YouTube faces” are being favored, leaving out other talented performers.

“The most unfortunate thing is that some of these guys will tell you, ‘September 2025, I am not free till August 2026.’ How then do we sustain the content of what you watch? How then do we create magic? How do we encourage new actors to come into the business?” he asked.

Kanayo emphasized that he does not want to be contacted by producers just because he is a “selling face,” but because of his ability to deliver strong performances.

He described the situation as another example of how well-meaning ideas often get distorted in Nigeria.

“I don’t know why, when things come to Nigeria, there’s always a somersault. And the somersault is happening on YouTube,” he said, urging the industry to provide opportunities for fresh talents who can truly act.