LAGOS — The National Films and Videos Censors Board (NFVCB) has concluded a major industry summit that articulated the strategic shift required for Nigeria’s motion picture sector to thrive in the competitive global digital environment. The two-day Peace Anyiam-Osigwe conference, which gathered an extensive delegation of film and television practitioners, centered on the theme “From Volume to Value,” signaling a consensus to move beyond high output toward quality-driven profitability.
The core message, reinforced by NFVCB Executive Director Dr. Shaibu Husseini, was a regulatory commitment to quality assurance and empowering filmmakers to focus on generating verifiable value rather than mere production numbers.
Key Strategic Priorities
The conference sessions systematically dissected the necessary changes across the industry’s business and creative pipelines:
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Monetization in the Digital Age: The event provided a platform for top cinema operators, streamers, and distributors, including CEOs from Inkblot Studios (Naz Onuzo), Viva Cinemas, and Silverbird Cinemas, to address the financial imperative. Sessions focused on “Growing the Film Audience At Home And Abroad,” examining concrete strategies to deepen local patronage and maximize international visibility through efficient distribution and content monetization tactics.
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Narrative and Gender Equity: Significant deliberation was dedicated to creative reform. The session “Breaking Down Barriers: The Future of Gender Equitable Film Narratives” featured high-level screenwriters and producers who discussed the need for inclusive storytelling and representation. This commitment to narrative diversity was framed as essential for enhancing the industry’s ethical standing and securing broader global market acceptance.
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Systemic and Regulatory Alignment: The NFVCB confirmed its renewed commitment to strengthening the regulatory framework to support this value-driven model. The conference also addressed underlying systemic issues affecting Nollywood’s growth, drawing on discussions involving veterans and emerging leaders in television and film.
The summit was punctuated by recognition for industry excellence, with filmmaker Bolanle Austen-Peters receiving honors for her contributions. Additionally, a celebratory closing ceremony recognized 23 veteran practitioners, including Rita Dominic, Segun Arinze, and Sam Dede, whom the NFVCB Director praised as the “pillars of our collective cultural legacy,” thus linking the industry’s future strategy to its historical foundation.
