Censors Board Director Parleys With Cinema Exhibitors, Distributors
The Executive Director of the National Films and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Alhaji Adedayo Thomas in the company of his management team on Friday held a stakeholders forum with Film Exhibitors and Distributors to chart a way forward for the film industry in Nigeria.
The forum which took place at the Access VIP Lounge of EbonyLife Place Victoria Island, Lagos had the theme “strengthening the emerging film market”
The Executive Director used the medium to present the new licensing certificates with unique features to them noting that the old approval letters will no longer be in use. He stated that the Board has also created a confirmation desk to ascertain the authenticity of any certificate issued.
Earlier, the ED commended some operators for their support but expressed displeasure on what he termed the illegal and fraudulent manner in which some others carry out their businesses irrespective of the Boards open door policy and this he said, is not good for business.
Some of the fraudulent activities he mentioned were; operating with fake certificates, using one license to operate nationwide. He also frowned at the activities of online distributors who display uncensored movies and some pay-TV stations noting that the Board is working to contend the situation.
The ED advised the practitioners to desist from doing illegal businesses and to regularly ensure they operate within the confines of the law, adding that they must support the Board to grow the industry. He enjoined them to ensure they meet up with the Board’s requirements by 2020.
Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, who also called for the support and cooperation of the stakeholders/operators in moving the film industry forward, encouraged them to also do more in discharging their corporate social responsibilities.
The event also saw both the operators and Zonal Coordinators of the Boardairing their views and challenges.
Operators in attendance commended the Board for coming up with the new licensing certificates which they say is the right step in the right direction. They also commended the Executive Director for the cordial relationship that has existed between operators and the Board since he took over the affairs of the Board notes that it has greatly helped their business and attracted international recognition. They, however, regretted the actions of some erring operators who are bent on breaking this relationship.
Areas of challenges mentioned by the operators are issues of states setting up their own Censorship Boards which leads to double taxation, censorship and classification issues.
While responding to the issue of states setting up their own Censorship Boards, the ED told them to resort to legal action, noting that the Board will support them. Concerning the issue of censorship and classification given to movies, the ED told them to always ensure they sit in during preview sessions and discuss with censorship officers on their movies and ratings given.
The Zonal Coordinators urged operators to renew their licenses as soon as they expire and not wait to be reminded to do the needful by the Boards officers. They were also enjoined to resolve their movies as required by the Boards censorship guidelines to avoid delaying their movies. They were advised to desist from using only one license for multiple purposes because it is fraudulent.
The meeting had in attendance major operators in the cinema distribution and exhibition sector including Film House, Blue Pictures, Genesis Deluxe, Silverbird, Grand Cinemas, Marturion Cinemas, Ebonylife Cinemas, Diamond Cinemas, Ozone, Heritage Cinemas, Lighthouse Cinemas.
Other operators in attendance are multi-choice, African magic, online movie mart limited, Organizer of Nigeria International Film Summit (NIFS), Mrs. Ijeomah Onah.
In attendance from the Board are the Director of Licensing and Documentation, Mr. Ferdinand Abua, Director of Operations, Mrs. Bola Athar, the six Zonal Coordinators and other officers of the Board.
