Why are they calling us now?” Kunle Afolayan
asked during an Access Bank’s breakfast
session with filmmakers last Thursday.
The
bank is planning to replicate the Bank of Industry
(BOI)’s NollyFund, a ‘friendly’ loan scheme for
the film industry. Without pretence, they call their
own Access NollyFund; but whether or not theirs
will stand the test of time, is a matter of time.
However, the fact is that, like Afolayan further
stated at the forum: “It only shows that
Nollywood filmmakers are getting it right.”
Because gone are the days when no bank wants
to touch Nollywood because it does not have the
kind of business structures that endear it to
investors. Today, even though the structures are
still ‘in the works’, especially in the area of
distribution and exhibition, there appears to be
signs of greater times ahead.
Another issue which has locked filmmakers in a
very interesting debate in the last two weeks is
the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON)
bill. With a review committee about to be
inaugurated by the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, this comes
across as the beginning of another defining
moment for the film industry which, for years
has been yearning for a common front.
Going forward, the fears about the bill being
another regulatory agency of government may
soon disappear, because from the composition of
the review committee, it is obvious that this is
simply a practitioners’ council that merely needs
government’s legislation for enablement. Yes,
MOPICON needs to be enabled to function as a
front in the face of the numerous guilds and
associations that have robbed the collective of
some orderliness and respect.
It is hoped that with the seriousness of the
current regime regarding economic
diversification, the industry will articulate its
demands through MOPICON. Nollywood still
needs so much support from government and,
not to speak with one respectable voice is to
lower those esteem needs with the usual
dissonances.
While this issue of MOPICON is ongoing, another
concern for filmmakers is the Audio-Visual
Rights Society (AVRS) which is one of the surest
revenue streams for the film industry.
One only needed to be at the last AVRS Annual
General Meeting and election of new Board of
Directors to see how stakeholders have decided
to take their destiny in their hands. ‘Everyone’
was present. And I can tell that the membership
of AVRS will shoot up in no time.
Indeed, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON),
the musicians’ version of the AVRS has opened
the eyes of entertainers to some monies that
have been wasting away, having distributed
about N400million within the last five years of its
existence.
It is hoped that the Bond Emeruwa led new
leadership of AVRS will continue to pursue the
dreams of its founders and predecessors,
perhaps with more vigour.
I keep remembering November 20, 2014 when
the D.G of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC),
Mr. Afam Ezekude, handed over the certificate of
registration to the interim chairman of AVRS,
because that date was my birthday. I was glad
that an initiative of that nature was so dated, and
prayed it continues to be a part of my positive
reportage of the film industry.
Going by Ezekude’s advice during the AGM of
AVRS, “the industry must speak in one voice in
order to persuade all users of film works to pay
royalty for such usage to AVRS,” adding that “for
AVRS to earn the support of all stakeholders, it
must ensure that its operation is carried out with
a high level of integrity.” I cannot agree less.
No doubt, the industry is sitting on a gold mine,
but the fortunes may remain a dangling carrot if
members refuse to bond for their common good.
Suffice to say that apart from the popular
commercial users of audio visual content, such
as transmitting and re-transmitting companies,
advertising agencies, telecoms companies,
hospitals, relaxation spots, luxury bus operators,
airlines, banks, super markets and chain retail
outlets, and barbing/hairdressing salons, as
enumerated by the erstwhile Chairman of AVRS,
Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, there exist other
channels of revenue that are pending. One of
such is the Private Copy Levy, which experts
say is capable of generating about N200 million
for members monthly, if and when the private
copy levy is implemented in Nigeria.
The levy is compensation for creators and
investors in music, movies and literary works
for the loss of revenue through free download of
works via gadgets such as MP3s, MP4s, Cell
phones, memory cards and flash drives, among
others.
Welcome to the world of new opportunities for
Nollywood!
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