Zina Saro-Wiwa

Who is Zina Saro-Wiwa?

Zina Saro-Wiwa is a video artist and film-maker. She makes video installations, documentaries, music videos and experimental films.

Saro-Wiwa is the founding film-maker of the alt-Nollywood movement. A movement that utilises the narrative, stylistic and visual conventions of the Nollywood film industry but for subversive, politically challenging ends.

Formerly a BBC journalist, her artistic practice emerged from her interest in changing the way the world sees Africa using film, art and food. Her practice includes New West African Kitchen, a project where Saro-Wiwa re-imagines West African cuisine. Each feast also features African video art presentations and a mini lecture.

On 22 March 2011, Saro-Wiwa was named as one of the top 25 leaders of the African Renaissance in The Times newspaper.