Harnessing the potential of the film industry

Experts at the occasion opined that the industry holds great potential to boost economic development,while also promoting national cohesion. They stressed the need to further harness the potential in the sector, pointing out that the industry was capable of engaging a large segment of unemployed youths. The festival entitled: “The Human Story, Connecting People,’’ was […]

Experts at the occasion opined that the industry holds great potential to boost economic development,while also promoting national cohesion.

They stressed the need to further harness the potential in the sector, pointing out that the industry was capable of engaging a large segment of unemployed youths.

The festival entitled: “The Human Story, Connecting People,’’ was attended by film makers, film industry professionals and film lovers from within and outside the country.

Identified as an umbilical cord that binds humanity in their creative activity and diversity, the experts said that film also acts as a platform to reflect on Nigeria’s current security challenges.

Information minister Labaran Maku said in an address that the industry was a source of national pride, with capacity to provide jobs to unemployed youths.

Noting that Nigeria has benefitted from the resources available in the industry, the minister added that film could be used as a medium to re-orientate and educate Nigerians in relation to the country’s current security challenges.

Maku said Nigerians should be educated through films to appreciate the culture of peace and national development, stressing that“The film industry must respond to the challenges we are facing, because in every country the human story reflects the very situation which it is told.’’

“We have so many films about the Second World War and about the First World War.

“Every nation faces challenges; the film makers should reflect that and use the medium that is available to them to get that nation out of the problem,’’ he said.

Maku reminded the film industry of its duty to create great movies that would educate young people and spur them to love their nation.

In his speech, former President Olusegun Obasanjo identified ignorance as a problem which, he noted, “leads to suspicion and mistrust’’.

Hitherto, he said, Nigerians were peace loving people with inherent culture of respect for sanctity of life, elders and constituted authority, but regretted that “the evasion of these values due to increasing acculturation and negative external influences have contributed largely to the spate of violent crimes and general insecurity we have today’’.

Gov. Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State said film should be used to sensitise people on the need to respect each other which, he noted, would promote national growth.

Shema advised film makers in the country to produce quality films that would meet international standards, noting that for the country’s film to gain acceptance in the international market, its quality must be high.

“Currently, most of the films we are making require a push and support from the ministry and from all well-meaning people in the industry to be relevant aboard.

Shema urged film producers to continue to market Nigeria’s culture and films aboard, saying thiswould help educate the international community on how Nigerians live,as well as efforts being made to develop the country.

“The young ones should focus on the unity of this nation, as well as the peace and progress of our country.They should focus on exporting the culture of Nigeria which needs to be told to the rest of the world.’’

Mr. Idi Nasiru, winner of the student category with a film entitled: “Naked Truth’’, called on youths to take the opportunity of the festival to develop their talents.

He said that film makers should use films to expose social vices, and also teach the people how to avoid them.

“I am not saying that we should not make money as film makers, but we should use film to expose societal vices and also teach people how to avoid them.

“If our film makers focus on this, I believe it will solve a whole lot of problems in the society,’’   he concluded.

Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) restated the importance of the sector in national economic growth, and estimated that the industry contributed over N522 billion to the gross domestic product of the nation.

“When fully developed, income from the industry will outstrip petroleum as the major revenue earner for the country” he said.

Adesanya noted that for the potential in the industry to be fully harnessed, there was also the need for training and capacity building of the professionals.

Mr. Kene Mkparu, Managing Director, Film House Cinemas, said that the country loses about 50 per cent of its income annually, and attributed the development to low patronage of cinema viewing centres across the country.

“For every cinema that is established, there will be at least 50 per cent direct jobs and between 20 and 30 per cent indirect jobs,” he said.

Mkparu, a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s $200 million Entertainment Intervention Fund, said the fund would enable him establish cinema houses across the country.

Also speaking, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) corroborated the huge potential in the film industry, saying if well harnessed it would help reduce the unemployment rate in the country.

He urged the government to liberalise access to the entertainment fund so that more film makers could benefit from it.

Mr. Emeka Mba, the Director-General, Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVSB), said film makers would be educated on how to access the fund, adding that the industry was not living up to the expectations of banks and the conditions set for accessing the fund.

“What we need to do is to go round the country, to places where people make films and hold sensitization workshops to explain the policy and how it works.’’

The potential in the film industry is known by the government, film makers and promoters. Government has provided the enabling environment; key players should therefore reciprocate by adequately utilising the fund to boost national economic development.  (NANFeatures)

**If used, credit the writers as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).