NFVCB, stakeholders discuss way forward

As a regulator in the film industry, the Board believes that the most critical feature of its censorship and classification mandate is fulfilled when stakeholders are exposed to the rules and regulations guiding the sale, rental and exhibition of films in the industry. This, it said, will help in the process of minimizing the prevalence […]

As a regulator in the film industry, the Board believes that the most critical feature of its censorship and classification mandate is fulfilled when stakeholders are exposed to the rules and regulations guiding the sale, rental and exhibition of films in the industry. This, it said, will help in the process of minimizing the prevalence of objectionable contents in the products they deal in.
The Ag Director General, NFVCB, Ms. Patricia Bala advised the video club owners to do their business legitimately by selling only approved films and video works to avoid running foul of the law. She also reminded them of the need to adhere strictly to the tenets of the new framework on distribution and exhibition which gives them the right to sale as well as distribute films within their local area under the community distribution license.
She also advised them to register for their new licenses for those who have not done so as registration has opened since January for the renewal of licenses for all categories of licenses namely, National, Regional and community licenses.
The  Ag. Director of Operations, Mrs. Fatyma Sa’adu whose office organised the seminar, said they decided to deal with community distributors, because  “they deal directly with the people and generate more money because of their number. The national distributors in many cases are usually one in a location. Like in the north you may find only one but for one locality can have up to a hundred film club owners.”
The stakeholders were also enlightened on the need for them to be registered with the Board and reason why they shouldn’t allow monitoring teams extort money from them in the name of raids and possession of unapproved films.
“We have given them and NFVCB number through which they can confirm if there are planned raids. Over years we’ve been talking with big distributors but these smaller ones are ready to comply in order to sustain their livelihood,” Sa’adu concluded.
A paper presented by Dr. Dul Johson from the Bigham University, Keffi, Nasarawa State focused on the need to protect intellectual property. Johnson advised video club owners to be mindful of dealing in films without authorization by the owner of such product. In the same light Mr. Rotimi Martins a former Director with the Board also advised the video club owners to always seek authorization from owners of works before commercializing them.
Spokesperson for the video club owners Wuse branch Mr. Sunday Okute pleaded with the Board to help protect the businesses of their members who are legally registered and have   licenses. He promised to help sanitise the market for the benefit of all.