NFVCB Hosts Industry Luminaries At 4th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Digital Content Conference

Posted on November 15, 2024

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Industry leaders, stakeholders, and creative minds from across the country gathered at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos for the 4th edition of the Peace Anyiam Osigwe Nigeria digital content regulation conference to discuss and shape the future of the Nigerian creative industry.

The two-day conference kicked off Thursday, 14 November and continues on Friday, 15 November with a total of 12 panel discussions and over 36 panellists including Mildred Okwo, Kene Okwuosa, Francis Onwuchie, Joy Odiete, Ope Ajayi, Michael Williams, Funmi Onuma, Naz Onuzo, Uche Agbo, Patrick Lee, Mary Njoku, Fidelis Duker, Ruth Kadiri, Emeka Mba amongst others.

The event, which was hosted by the Executive Director of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini, had several dignitaries in attendance with filmmaker and founder of EbonyLife Media, Ms. Mo Abudu, delivered the keynote address.

Abudu paid tribute to the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of the African Movie Academy Awards.

She described the late Peace as “a dear friend, a sister. So this is in honour of her. Thank you for continuing to trailblaze.”

Abudu, in her keynote address titled “From Local to Global: Developing Narratives and Contents for Worldwide Appeal”, urged filmmakers not to lose the authenticity in telling the Nigerian and African stories to global audience.

She also stressed the essence and need for collaboration saying nobody can do it all alone.

“My keynote is ‘From Local to Global’ and I have a few points I want to make about taking local to global. We are in an era whereby monetization is very important, and if we continue to be in the bubble of local, we are going to stay in the bubble of local. But if you want to break out and get to that global bubble then you have to understand that there are few principles at play,” she said.

Abudu continued; “The first thing you actually have to understand is that there is a difference between making content for a local audience and a global audience. Once you define what you think your market place is, you hone in on that and work in that space. But if you decide you want to make something for a global audience there are certain guidelines you have to abide by.

“One of them is making sure that we are authentic to the stories we are telling and I find that as Nigerians we are quite authentic but I also find that we try to move to a space that is not ours. We are trying to be who we are not. Another point is understanding that there are universal themes that should be part of the stories we are telling. Themes like resilience, love, ambition, justice, etc.

“Most important ‘investing in high quality productions’, it is important to understand that there is an international standard. Another point is collaboration.”

The NFVCB also took the opportunity to honour the Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Ms. Hannatu Musawa and Mo Abudu, who recently marked their birthdays.

In his opening speech at the conference, Dr. Husseini urged filmmakers and content creators to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity while also embracing responsibility.

“I am thrilled to see such a gathering of experts and stakeholders in the Nigerian motion picture industry. As we gathered to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and chart a course for Nigeria’s digital content regulation future, I want to emphasise the importance of collaboration and cooperation in our shared goal of promoting a vibrant and responsible creative sector,” Husseini said.

He added; “In fact, the whole idea of the digital content regulation conference which was named after the late iconic writer, filmmaker and producer Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and which I must credit my predecessor Alhaji Adedayo Thomas for is to provide a platform for industry professionals, thought leaders, operators and innovators to share knowledge, collaborate and network especially in the face of the continued shift from traditional to digital consumption of content in Nigeria.

“Since our work has the power to shape minds and influence culture, it’s crucial that we balance artistic expression with sensitivity and respect for our audience. By doing so, we are not only upholding the integrity of our industry but also contributing to a more informed and empathetic society.

“We at NFVCB are trying to be responsive, and create engagement with the stakeholders, and with a view to enforce more on film classifications, based on the need to reduce come back time for film certificate collection,” Husseini said.

With the theme: Film and Video Regulation in the digital age: balancing creativity and responsibility, panel discussions varied from developing narratives and contents for worldwide appeal, to regulation, legal and practical issues in the use of AI in film and TV production, global distribution: what does buyers really want in film and video works, cracking the formula of studio and independent film financing, strategies for higher returns and audience impact, preserving social culture heritage, documenting and engaging new audiences, women in film and digital media, classification, collective management and collective bargaining in the digital era, balancing creativity and responsibility.

The event witnessed the illustrious presence of distinguished personalities from the creative industry, as well as heads of parastatals in the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

They included Tola Akerele, who represented the Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa; Senator Ben Murray Bruce; Messrs George Anyiam-Osigwe, Kennedy Anyiam-Osigwe, and Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe; Fidelis Duker; Joke Silva; Hon. Aisha Augie; Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun; Ibinabo Fiberesima; Andy Boyo; Charles Novia; Segun Arinze; Abdulrazak Abdullahi; Kazeem Adeoti; Mahmood Alli-Balogun; Olumide Iyanda; Teco Benson; Adebukola Agbanioloja; Chioma Onyenwe; Mykel Parish Ajaere; Ike Nnaebue; Greg Odutayo; Francis Onwochei; Victor Okhai; Lancelot Imasuen and Wunmi Toriola amongst several others.

Their participation and collective commitment to the conference signify the importance placed on the growth and development of the creative industry in Nigeria.