NFC tasks minister on key film industry’s policies
By Priscilla Osaje
The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has urged the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa, to revisit some key film industry’s policies
that have the capabilities of enhancing the sector.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr Brian Etuk.
Etuk said that the Managing Director of NFC, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, gave the advice while presenting a catalogue of film festival to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa in Abuja.
Maduekwe noted that the policies would help in sustaining the sector’s contributions to content creation, effective film distribution and exhibition.
He added that the minster should also revisit training and capacity building, as well as the establishment of the National Film Development Fund (NFDF).
Maduekwe said the corporation had achieved 10-year hosting partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in 2021 through a Memorandum of Understanding which designated Abuja as the official host city.
According to him, it is natural for Abuja to be named the official host city for the film festival in line with best global practices. For instance, the cities of Cannes, Toronto, Durban and others.
The NFC chief said that the film industry challenges that had slowed down the development process and growth rate of the sector, particularly the laws, including the NFC Act of 1979 that needed to be reviewed.
“This has never undergone any single amendment in the last 44 years, and other legal framework for the Motion Picture Practitioners Council (MOPICON)”, he said.
“The National Film Institute (NFI), Jos has continued to provide training and capacity building for Nigeria in film and television production, including entrepreneurial skills acquisition for youths across the geopolitical zones of the country.
“This is achieved through its Mobile Audiovisual Training Platform, aside the Master Degree Programme in Film Culture and Archiving Studies.
“The progress at the National Film Video and Sound Archive (NFVSA), recently designated the national repository for audio-visual heritage was also brought into focus,” he said.
Responding, the minister commended the NFC for its various achievements in spite of its obsolete law.
She acknowledged the critical role the film industry played and had continued to play in the growth and development of the nation’s economy.
The minister assured NFC that the government was determined to ensure an effective and efficient film industry.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Deji Abdulwahab
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