At AMCOD conference, practitioners think sustainability of movie distribution

Practitioners of the Nigerian motion picture industry converged on the Resource Centre of the Lagos State Treasury Office in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos for the 2024 edition of the Association of Movie Content Owners and Producers/Distributors of Nigeria, AMCOD, yearly business conference which held penultimate week. The conference themed, “Sustainability of Movie Production/Distribution in the Digital Era”, was held in partnership with the Lagos State Film & Video Censors Board. The one-day conference featured a key note address, paper presentation and a panel session on how stakeholders could explore innovative options for movie production and distribution. In his keynote address at the conference, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini, emphasised that in the digital era, there are lines between production, distribution, and consumption, which have become increasingly blurred.

The NFVCB ED noted that the rise of streaming platforms, social media, and other digital channels has changed the way to create, distribute, and engage with movie content.

Husseini noted that sustainability in the Nigerian movie industry requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating innovative distribution strategies, collaborative production models, and adaptive business practices.

Also, speaking at the conference, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Censors Board, Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja, described the event as a unique platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas.

According to the Lagos Censors Board boss, in recent years, there has been a remarkable advancement in technology that have transformed the way contents are created and consumed — from the rise of the streaming platforms to innovative filming techniques — the opportunities are vast. She however stressed that with these advancements come attendant challenges that require united effort to overcome.

Earlier in his welcome address, AMCOD National Chairman, Alhaji Toyin Uthman, said the conference and its theme was essential as film production in a digital era came with its own peculiar challenges. He noted that the digital space presents a wealth of opportunities including new platforms, broader reach, and innovative technologies yet.

Stakeholders that attended the conference include, Tade Ogidan, Olurotimi Aina-Kusoro, Femi Adebayo, Theo Akatugba, Adebayo Tijani, Antar Laniyan, Abdulrasaq Abdullahi and Allwell Ademola. Others are Director, Nigeria Copyright Commission, Mrs. Lynda Alphaeus; Channel Manager, Africa Magic, Tayo Adetunji; Chairman, Audio-Visual Rights Society, Mahmood Alli-Balogun; Prince Jide Kosoko, movie veteran; TAMPAN Global President, Bolaji Amusan; President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, Victor Okhai; President, Association of Movie Producers, Queen Blessing Ebigieson; CEO, Abuja Film Festival, Fidelis Duker, Ace Producer/Director, Teco Benson and CEO, The Hype Agency, Samuel Olatunji.