Nollywood may be extinct in a year, expert warns

The film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has produced more films in recent times than the famed American Hollywood and is second only to India’s Bollywood but experts fear that the activities of pirates may force producers out of business. Speaking at the event, CEO of TFP Studio and a leading film director, Teco Benson, […]

The film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has produced more films in recent times than the famed American Hollywood and is second only to India’s Bollywood but experts fear that the activities of pirates may force producers out of business.

Speaking at the event, CEO of TFP Studio and a leading film director, Teco Benson, said, “Nollywood might not be here in a year due to piracy. People can hawk films freely on the street, the fines are minimal and the NCC doesn’t have enough bite.”

He added that the Government must play a key role in salvaging the industry as it provides employment to many Nigerians and plays a vital role in promoting the cultures of the people. “Nollywood is the hope of this country; we need the support of government to protect intellectual property rights,” he said.

Though challenged by funding, piracy and a cluttered distribution system, the experts agree that the industry has made significant progress over the years.

“Over the last five years, I’ve noticed that people are producing less films due to a fear of piracy and a lack of understanding of the new distribution framework,” said Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, an established filmmaker and founder of the annual African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). “But more positively, there has been an improvement in the quality of films, with more Nigerian films being accepted at international film festivals.”

The fact that Nollywood has produced more films than it American counterpart is also a strong testament to the resourcefulness of the industry.

Responding on behalf of the government, Emeka Ogbonna, Zonal Manager, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) said, “Despite our insufficient funding, locally, a lot has been done to regulate the production of DVDs, we have introduced regulations, minimum standards for NCC officers and undertake night time inspections of suspected piracy plants.”

Others, however, placed the fault on the distribution network. “The fundamental problem is that of distribution,” said Madu Chikwendu, a Producer and Director, and the organiser of the Lagos International Film Festival. “Outside of Nigeria, there is a huge demand for our films, and to meet this demand, our films are distributed illegitimately, resulting in a huge loss of revenue for the industry, which leads to a corresponding loss in quality. You can’t talk of quality control when people can’t afford to eat.”

Suggestions to strengthen the industry were also considered, with calls for more capacity building and financial investment.

Jahman Anikulapo, a notable Nigerian art critic and editor of The Guardian on Sunday newspaper highlighted his disappointments regarding the industries priorities, ‘Instead of celebrating individuals and short term successes the industry needs to take a long term view, by building lasting structures that will improve Nollywood.’  

Present at the roundtable were film industry insiders, intellectual property rights lawyers, representatives of civil society, the private and public sector, as well as the media.