The growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and implications of African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) on film practitioners in Nigeria were some of the issues addressed at the School of Media and Communication of the Pan Atlantic University’s monthly Filmmakers’ Forum held recently.
The forum focused on challenges faced by practitioners in Nigerian film industry and essential role of guilds in nurturing professionalism and fortifying the industry.
Hosted by the Nollywood Study Centre, it featured presidents of creative guilds in the industry. They are President of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Dr. Victor Okhai; President of Creative Designers Guilds of Nigeria (CDGN), Mrs. Joy Osaruwa-Akinyemi; President of Cinematographers Society of Nigeria (CSN), Mr. Aduloju John and President of Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria (SWGN), Mr. Yinka Ogun. Together, they discussed crucial issues affecting the guilds and the industry at large.
According to Okhai, AfCFTA, signed by 54 of the 55 African Union members, aims to create a continental marketplace for goods and services, permitting the free movement of people and capital while paving the way for a Customs Union.
As the implementation of this agreement looms, the guilds are actively enlightening their members on how to leverage this opportunity and comprehend the potential challenges it may present.
Okhai emphasised the complex landscape, stating, “you might possess a wealth of knowledge, but when foreign practitioners enter the country under the free trade agreement, we cannot prohibit them from engaging in their craft. The doors have been opened by the president, and we have all committed to this agreement. Consequently, we are acutely aware of this situation and are diligently working to ensure that our members remain at the forefront of their profession, prepared to confront any challenges that may arise.”
Raising concern about the perception of the quality of stories emerging from practitioners, Ogun said various factors contribute to the perceived issues. He stressed the need for audiences to be discerning and consider other factors beyond the scriptwriter in the production chain.
His words: “There is a common belief that anyone can write and this has led to a lack of appreciation for skill and experience, often relegating writers to the lowest rung of the industry. Writers are sometimes unfairly blamed for a film’s failure, but it’s essential to exercise caution in assigning blame because multiple factors contribute to a film’s outcome. Audiences should be discerning and consider the various elements at play. Nonetheless, there has been a notable improvement in the industry, resulting in better storytelling than in the past. This progress is steady, even though distinguishing between a writer’s responsibility and other contributors can be complex. Factors such as writing timelines, compensation, project budgets, and the decisions of directors or producers all play significant roles in shaping the final product.”
All the guild presidents expressed concerns about practitioners, who, despite benefiting from the industry, are reluctant to join the respective guilds and contribute to the industry’s growth.
Okhai explained that though there existed a regulation requiring practitioners to join guilds, they should not merely join out of compulsion; he added they need to engage actively, recognising the benefit of the guilds.
“You cannot remain outside the guild and speculate about what the guilds can or cannot offer you. If you’re benefiting from the industry, it is your responsibility to select the appropriate guild and join it. Regulation has played a significant role in ensuring practitioners join the guilds. However, once you become a member, it’s crucial to actively engage with the guild, understanding its operations and how it can benefit you,” Okhai explained.
Ogun went deeper into the challenges faced by Screenwriters’ Guild, especially that of substantial number of writers in the country functioning independently of the guild structure. This situation has given rise to industry problems.
Nevertheless, he highlighted the guild’s persistent efforts to uphold professionalism and establish member standards by implementing capacity-building programs and oversight of activities.
However, he stressed the urgency of enacting legislation that would require practitioners from diverse sectors of the industry to mandatorily join the guilds. This step, he said, is essential to elevate professionalism and enhance the overall quality of the Nigerian cinema.
An opinion also supported by other guild heads. In fact, Osaruwa-Akinyemi stressed that many professionals in makeup, costume, props, and set design are unaware of the guild’s existence and the advantages of joining. The CDGN is actively promoting awareness through various channels, encouraging these professionals to register and become active members.
“We’ve reached out to production houses and studios employing costumiers, makeup artists, set designers, and props managers, inviting them to become familiar with our Guild. We are not currently mandating the employment or engagement of our existing registered members, as we acknowledge their established relationships with the individuals they are already employing. Our aim is to encourage these entities to encourage such individuals to register with the guilds, thus granting them access to the benefits available to guild members,” she said.
A common goal shared by all the guilds is to provide conflict resolution and mediation services in disputes involving industry practitioners. However, these services will primarily be available to registered guild members, emphasizing a focus on registered members and their professional development.
“Frequently, we have been called upon to mediate in disputes that involve individuals who are not registered members of the CDGN. Moving forward, we are refraining from involvement in matters concerning non-registered guild members. This is why we are dedicating efforts to send out introductory letters, presenting our Guild and encouraging those working with them to register with the guild, enabling us to assist in resolving any issues as they arise,” expressed Osaruwa-Akinyemi.
Okhai added that the process will be more streamlined now that the guilds are under the Federation of Nollywood Guilds and associations (FRENGAN) because it will be easier to take decisive actions against erring members of the guild as part of the steps to ensure professionalism of practitioners in the industry.
“We’ve encountered numerous cases, including situations where some producers receive funds from people in the diaspora with the promise of producing films for them. Unfortunately, some of these individuals either defraud or provide subpar services to the investors. They report these cases to the directors’ guild, even though the responsible parties may belong to multiple guilds. With our current collaborative efforts, we can address these issues collectively. It is becoming increasingly clear to our members that there are repercussions for unethical behaviour.”
Acknowledging that the challenges across the guilds are fairly consistent, Aduloju pointed out the issue of practitioners’ reluctance to join and actively engage in guild activities. However, CSN has shifted its focus towards quality rather than quantity, targeting a dedicated core of professionals eager to participate actively in the guild.
Aduloju noted, “we are dedicated to ensuring our members’ satisfaction regarding job opportunities and welfare, which, in turn, encourages their involvement in meetings, prompt payment of dues, and attendance at industry events. Our aim is to first enhance our internal organisation and industry before considering government involvement in the future.”
He also discussed the guild’s future plans, revealing CSN’s recent admission into the International Federation of Cinematographers (IMAGO), marking it as the second African guild to gain entry into this prestigious global organisation.
This accomplishment, Aduloju noted, enabled him recommend CSN’s members for international opportunities. He urged members to invest in enhancing their individual capacities, while assuring that the guild will remain steadfast in its support for members.
The guild presidents also encouraged non-members to join and actively participate in guild activities to stay informed about initiatives aimed at improving the industry. They highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance member offerings, including capacity building, contract negotiations, partnerships with various organisations, and advocacy for members’ rights.
