My target is to feature Hollywood stars in my movies —Lil Win

AFTER successfully casting top Nollywood actors in his latest movie, A Country Called Ghana, last year, Kumawood actor and film producer, Lil Win discloses he has plans to brighten his next project, A Journey To Africa, with stars from Hollywood.

However, although he is optimistic about it until he receives massive financial support from the government or private investors, this dream might not become a reality. 

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, February 24, Lil Win, real name Kwadwo Nkansah, said everything boils down to money. 

Therefore, he appealed for financial support, noting that it was a major hindrance to making his plan of featuring Hollywood stars in A Journey to Africa a reality.

“I know some people will ridicule my ambition but I know my abilities. I know that if I get private or government funding, I can get Hollywood actors to star in my next production titled, A Journey to Africa. 

“I want to see the industry grow and also remain relevant, which is why I’m appealing to the government and individual investors for support,” he said.

Last year, Lil Win’s Weezy Empire featured three top Nollywood actors—Ramsey Nouah, Charles Awurum and Victor Osuagwu, popularly known as Awilo Sharp Sharp— in A Country Called Ghana.

According to Lil Win, he paid the lead actor, Ramsey Nouah, $40,000(GHS621,241) and subsequently spent about $100,000 on promotions. This included the purchase of a new vehicle which he branded to market the movie. 

 “As you can see, everything depends on money. If I have the money, no actor from anywhere will turn down my offer. Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of funds,” he said. 

Although the state of Ghana’s movie sector has been described as dire, Lil Win advises his colleague actors not to wait for role opportunities but to venture into production as directors or producers if they have the means. 

 “At the moment, our industry is struggling mainly because of lack of investment. This has forced some of us to finance our own film productions.

 “I, therefore, urge my colleagues to make a move because you can't sit idle; I mean waiting for a producer to give you a role. If you have what it takes, come out with your own movie.

“Today, I’m proud to say all my movies and even TV productions were funded by myself without any external support. So you can imagine the quality of productions I would come out with if I had an investor cushioning me,” he said. 

Lil Win also shared that A Country Called Ghana proves that Ghanaian filmmakers can produce movies of good quality.

“A Country Called Ghana is the best production in recent times, just like the classic I Told You So. It has earned some awards, including Best Indigenous Film at the 2024 Nollywood Film Festival, as well as Best Production Design and Best Make-Up at the 2024 Imo International Film Festival,” he said.

A Country Called Ghana was also nominated for Movie of the Year at the 2024 Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) last year. 

The movie starts showing tomorrow, Friday, February 28, at the Silverbird Cinemas and Lil Win is urging film enthusiasts to watch it.