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For the film industry to contribute more to the country’s economic development, the Federal Government has been asked to make the environment conducive for more investments.
   
Nigeria’s film industry is projected to be worth $6.4 billion, producing about 2,500 films on a yearly basis.
   
Speaking at The Guardian Masterclass Session at the 2022 AfricaNXT technology conference, with the theme: “How to use movies to tell the Nigerian story to an international audience,” filmmaker and director, Martin Gbados, said so many factors make a film attractive to both local and international viewers.
   
Gbados listed budget, quality, Africanness and the environment where the film is produced, as some of the determinants of a good movie.
   
Harping on the need for filmmakers to ensure the Africanness of their production, Gbados said the budget was also crucial to implementing any project.
  
According to him, the budget remains a big determinant for the success of any production, stressing that many streaming platforms are coming to Africa because they have seen the potential “but they won’t reduce their standard.”
  
Gbados said standards must be met for any film to travel far and wide. He stressed the importance of looking inwards in the production of any film.
  
“Filmmakers must be intentional. Look at this, about 10 Chibok Girls films have been produced but had not traveled far because some of the elements I mentioned earlier are missing.
 
“We have many things in Africa that can be turned into stories.
  
“The story around Ibeji (Twins) can be made to have elements. For example, God creates twins, Africans kill them, sort of contradiction. Such stories will fly far, or look at the story of Sango, the god of thunder, they will fly highest. Our focus should be to concentrate on our struggles and how we are overcoming them,” he stated.
  
He said Africa remains a raw continent, which people wants to see some of these narratives.
  
“We need to create movie and put psychology into it. Some of these things will make it to sell and travel far.
   
“It must also be noted that the business of films is even more important than the film itself because of the multiplier effect. Films should open new doors,” he stated.
   
According to him, the quality of work from Africa should be able to match any other from another part of the world. He said this is the best time to be creative, especially in Africa because people are looking for films from the region.
   
While calling on the government to support the industry, Gbados said this has become crucial for the success of any film or filmmakers.
    
According to him, government’s support can come inform of loan to creatives, ” when I say loan, not for them to now say because you needed #10 million, bring landed property as collateral, no! But with the loan, they (govt) can be part owner of the film, when an agreement is reached.”
   
Gbados disclosed that all the states in America have a film commission, which makes production convenient for filmmakers there, “but in Nigeria, only Lagos has a film commission, which makes it a bit difficult for expanded film production across the country.
 
“So, it is pertinent for governments at all levels to create a stable and an enabling environment for films production.”