Sam Azubuke told Business Day that the industry is in a state whereby quality films must be produced as viewers are tired of watching sub- standard films, which he said is mostly as a result of low budget.
Making reference to "Amazing Grace" as one of Nigeria’s latest films that has received good commendations across different continents, he said the feat is due to the fact that Jeta Amata, the producer of the film, used reasonable budget for his production. He noted that the film has shone a light on the country and the industry abroad.
The summit, according to Azubike, would be used as a platform for the film makers and the corporate organisations to discuss issues and look at the possibilities of how they could harness the wealth and financial resources of the industry for the good of the filmmakers so as to ensure quality film production.
Speaking on the event, he said "it is high time there was harmony between the two sectors" which he believes is a way of taking the film industry to the next level. Speaking further, he stated that the summit would enhance the financial status of the industry, as insurance companies and the banks could key in and play appropriate roles in the industry.
Azubike believes that the success of the summit would set a standard for the Nigerian film industry as further interaction with film makers from South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso and other African countries would raise the stakes of Nollywood film production.
While showering praises on the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke for taking the industry to another level by providing structures and an enabling environment that will boost the business of the sector, he also commended the efforts of the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Emeka Mba, whom he said is using his expertise and experience to set aright the distribution structure of the sector.
Speaking on those expected, he simply said, those who believe that they are film makers, and corporate organisations.
He also said that there would be different awards to be bagged by those, corporate and individuals, who are worthy, for their contributions toward the development of the industry. Azubike who has spent 15 years in the industry, said the essence of the summit is for the corporate organizations to be aware that they are missing huge business by not participating fully in the industry.
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