Film Makers Call For Improved Funding Of Film Industry

By Mathew Ayoola

The Founder of Abuja Film Festival, Mr Fidelis Duker has called for the Federal Government’s Improved Funding in the sector to advance Nigeria’s digital economy.

Mr Duker made the call in Abuja during the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Abuja International Film Festival.

He identified poor financing as one of the major challenges confronting the film sector.

The Founder who also called for effective private sector involvement said the growth of film making would increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

According to him, the annual Abuja Film Festival is being organized to further promote the benefits of the Industry and bring stakeholders together to brainstorm on the way forward towards harnessing the film making industry for national development.

In a remark, the Former Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Mallam Ladan Salihu stressed the need for effective public private sector collaboration towards repositioning the film making industry for better.

Mallam Salihu advised practitioners in the sector to always upgrade themselves and improve their film content to meet international best practices.

On his part, the Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board, Mr Adedayo Thomas said the Federal Government had provided the enabling environment and single digit bank loan for the industry to thrive.

Mr Thomas therefore called on stakeholders in the industry to always promote peace, unity and issues of national development in their film production.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Director of Nigeria Film Corporation, Dr Chidia Maduekwe commended the Founder of Abuja Film Festival for the annual event which is aimed at promoting the industry for better performance.

Dr Maduekwe said the Agency would come up with programmes and activities that would support the growth and development of the film industry in Nigeria.

Edited By Grace Namiji