Getting Your Movie Rated in Nigeria
By Tide News
Published: November 18, 2006
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Film and video censorship refers to a process whereby any film or video work is submitted to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) for registration, previewing and examination prior to its categorisation for public supply, distribution or exhibition.

Censorship entails the examination of the contents of a film or video work to determine the age group of the target audience, based on the films possible or inherent psychological, sociological and moral impact amongst other factors.

All films, whether local or imported have to be censored and classified before they can be sold, hired or publicly exhibited in Nigeria. If the film is only to be shown for a limited time or period at a film festival or at a theatre, it may be eligible for an exception.

The criteria used in censoring a film or video works are many. The committee in considering the contents of a film or video work before taking a decision on it, will ensure that – it has an educational or entertainment value apart from promoting Nigerian culture, unity or interest and it does not undermine national security, induce or reinforce the corruption of private or public morality.

Encourage or glorify violence, expose the people of African heritage to ridicule or contempt; encourage illegal or criminal act, encourage racial, religious and ethnic discrimination or conflict, promote blasphemy or obscenity nor depict any matter which is indecent, obscene or likely to incite or encourage public disorder or crime or is undesirable in the public interest.

For a film or movie to be classified, there must be a completed application form, an adequate synopsis of the film, a copy of the film, the censorship fee receipt with the bank teller attached, copy right authorisation letter if it is a foreign film. Application will not be processed until all of the required elements have been received.

Censorship can be completed in not later than 14 days, unless there are major issues arising from the application and the movie submitted, you will be notified of the board’s decision in writing in the form of a classification certificate or approval letter.

The decision takes effect from the date you receive notification, when the application is closed, the decision will appear on the NFVCB public data base. The applicants name will appear on that record.

However, the following films or video works are exempted from censorship by the law. They include: All video works and films for exhibition to which the public is not admitted that is non commercial exhibition, a documentary or imported work produced or issued by the Federal/State Government and works imported by any diplomatic representative of a commonwealth or foreign nation, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) or any organ of that organisation or any other regional global organisation.

Others are works used for an educational scientific or cultural body or society including any broadcasting or television organisation and any film or work designed as a whole to inform, educate or instruct that is instructional materials for schools or training concerned with sports or a video game.