The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) asked associations and guilds in the film production value chain on Tuesday to step up efforts to promote professionalism in the industry.
Its Executive Director, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, made the demand at an interactive session with stakeholders held by the NFVCB in Lagos.
Adedayo stated that organisations and guilds must try to educate their members about the need to not lower costs at the expense of obtaining a high degree of professionalism.
He emphasized that appropriate processes must be followed in order for the sector to develop.
“Stop cutting costs at the expense of professionalism. I can only name a few associations that are growing this industry; we should all be involved in moving it forward.”
“I am pleased that the NFVCB has been able to make your associations, guilds, and the federation formidable at this point.”
“No association has recently written to us requesting assistance in hosting their events; this is because NFVCB has created the platform for you to be sustainable.”
“We want you to work even harder to be the true professionals that you are,” he added.
Thomas recommended that film producers and directors collaborate with the 19 registered associations and guilds in order to ensure that actors, technicians, make-up artists, and all other participants engaged in the film production process are chosen from the recognized associations and guilds.
He stated that this would strengthen the guilds and organisations even more, while practitioners in the business who had not yet registered with professional groups would be encouraged to do so.
“I want all producers and directors to make certain that only registered association members work on your films.”
“Those who are wandering around will register while we clean up the quacks, and your associations will grow stronger.”
“This can only be accomplished through collaboration and ongoing engagement.”
“This industry is like a tree with branches,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Thomas informed stakeholders that the industry’s annual digital conference will be held from November 14 to November 16, and he advocated honouring the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
He described the NFVCB’s receipt and censorship of 541 films produced by the film industry in the second quarter as “laudable.”
He stated that, considering the estimated cost of operations, a downward reassessment of the censorship price for stakeholders was not viable.
Earlier, Mr. Emeka Aduah, President of the Film and Video Producers and Marketers of Nigeria (FVPMAN), encouraged the NFVCB to consider lowering the censorship charge for producers in light of the country’s economic circumstances.
Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor, a member of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), who supported the censorship fee review, stated that it was necessary given the poor revenue of independent producers.
Okafor stated that this group of people just disseminates their work on YouTube and earns very little money.
Mr. Bolaji Amusan, National President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), praised the NFVCB executive director’s efforts to develop the different guilds and organisations.
Amusan urged the NFVCB leadership to step up efforts to move the industry ahead by collaborating more with the heads of associations and guilds.
Mr. Israel Eboh, National President of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), praised Thomas for his efforts to improve the creative profession.
Eboh claimed that members of the associations were more reactive to concerns than proactive.
“We are grateful to Alhaji Thomas for his mutual respect and faith in us. I encourage federation members to participate in engagement platforms.
“The platform is intended for us to collaborate.” I also urge us to work together to improve the federation and individual associations via your great efforts and to identify common ground that will benefit us all,” he stated.
Mr. Leo Owoseebi, National Secretary of the Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN), urged film producers and directors to collaborate with CDGN members in their attempts to develop outstanding films.
