Veteran filmmaker Zeb Ejiro, widely known as the “Father of Nollywood,” has revealed that his acclaimed 1996 film Domitilla was produced on the smallest budget of his career.
Speaking on The Legacy Series on June 25, 2026, Ejiro said financial constraints forced him to work with limited resources during the production of the film. Despite the challenges, he chose to proceed with the project rather than wait for additional funding.
“Domitilla was the lowest-budgeted movie I ever made. When I made Domitilla, I didn’t have money. I just said, ‘Let me just do something,’” Ejiro said.
According to the filmmaker, passion and a desire to keep telling stories motivated the decision to make the movie. He explained that creating a compelling film was more important than having a large production budget.
The gamble ultimately paid off, as Domitilla went on to become one of Nollywood’s most successful and memorable productions. The film, which explored themes of survival, prostitution and the social pressures facing young women, received widespread acclaim and remains a significant reference point in discussions about the growth and evolution of Nigeria’s film industry.
