NFVCB for Edinburgh Film Festival

A statement signed by Mr. Yunusa Abudullahi, Head of Corparate Affairs said in London where it last held, the NFVCB screened Nigerian movies and did pitching for scripts with foreign business practitioners. “Technical development sessions were held and we started a discussion with some British film distributors on how to protect Nigerian movies in the […]

A statement signed by Mr. Yunusa Abudullahi, Head of Corparate Affairs said in London where it last held, the NFVCB screened Nigerian movies and did pitching for scripts with foreign business practitioners. “Technical development sessions were held and we started a discussion with some British film distributors on how to protect Nigerian movies in the UK.”

In other outings it has had symposiums with the like of Prof. Wole Soyinka participating as the history of popular culture in Nigeria was traced with emphasis on the development and growth of what is now Nollywood.

Abdullahi said, “Our expectations from AIM is an opportunity to interact with other African movie regulators and stakeholders and hear firsthand some of the comments, misgivings and accolades about Nigerian productions. We’d see how we can step in to help both the industry and the government by developing and advising government about creating policies and regulations that will help the industry and ultimately Nigeria. Indeed, we believe strongly that Nigeria should define her identity, character and image and influence from the movies’ global window. The road show, therefore, is a veritable platform to do that.”

This year’s road show event is taking place at the Africa Film Festival in Edinburgh, Glasgow from 25th October to 2nd November, 2012.

The event will feature Tunde Kelani’s “MAAMI” a film that features the struggles of a single parent.

The NFVCB will also be organising an interactive meeting at the event with Dr. Dul Johnson of Bigham University, Keffi Nasarawa State, discussing the importance of Nollywood as a cultural brand for Nigeria. Mr. Tunde Kelani will be the guest of Honour while Ag Director General Ms Patricia Bala is the chief host.

Among the immediate benefits that will accrue from this event are: a pronounced visibility of the industry in Nigeria and raising the profile of Nollywood. The industry will further build regulatory and business alliances with their UK and other African counterparts. It will lift the standard of the industry which has seen rapid growth in the last ten years. It will also drive acceptance and plug areas of leakage through piracy. Currently according to Agape solicitors, a UK based legal and consulting firm, the Nigerian Movie industry loses  about N160bn (US$1bn) annually in the UK alone.