How to get movies into every home – Emeka Mba
By Sola Balogun
Published: August 3, 2007
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The business of film and video can hardly succeed without effective distribution network, since a movie never truly succeeds until as many people as possible watch it.
Mr Emeka Mba, Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), made this assertion in Lagos recently during a two-day workshop/seminar;

Financing Content Creation and Distribution; organized for banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions by the board. Mba, who believes that content remains the king in the motion picture industry, also reiterated that the kingmaker in the same business is effective distribution of the movies.

According to him, both content and distribution are inseparable elements that bring about success in the sector, adding that while artistes work hard to procure good stories, financiers and investors should complement these by funding distribution networks. Said the DG: " It is one thing to get good stories but what is most important is to get returns from the same good stories. This is why distribution must not fail as that is where money comes from".

Mba explained that the NFVCB is bent on achieving effective distribution of Nigerian movies, hence the resolve to reform it and give absolute confidence to artistes and producers. He stressed further that since the movie industry survives only on distribution, then marketers and distributors must determine the dynamics and styles of content. As a result of this, there is need for expansive and well-coordinated distribution system.

"Funding distribution is another obstacle in the industry. There is need to fund theatres, shops and other outlets to enable movies get to the people so that producers can make their money and pay artistes and crew", explained Mba, who hinted further that insurance brokers could play a major role in this regard. He observed that at different stages of production, insurance operators should come in to rescue movie practitioners, noting :"Insurance is the key in this industry".

On the importance of Completion Bond, Mba stressed the need for producers to enter into agreement with bankers and insurance companies to ascertain feasibility of their movies or films. According to him, Completion Bond aims at confirming that the job (Story/Script/Movie) will be carried out successfully through effective application of certain skills. Moreover, the DG emphasized the need to re-invent the entire industry; "We need to re-brand our trade. For example, there is need to get a good public relations agency to market and re-brand Nollywood. We need to improve on our identity and corporate image…We need to fraternize with the people who have the money…Artistes too must be well managed to command the attention and confidence of the corporate world…

They need to be seen to be more responsible and reliable".
Also advocating an enabling environment for movie production, Mba urged government to give tax incentives to producers. He also advised artistes, producers to formalize rights agreements with owners of intellectual works before rushing to production.

In the same way, the DG urged government to reform distribution prices in order to pave way for credibility and respectability. There is also the need for such agencies as the Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission (NIPRO) to continue to fight piracy as it has always done, even as time is now ripe for the Federal Government to launch the much-awaited National Film Fund.
Said Mba :" At this stage everyone, particularly government, should know that the motion picture industry has become a brand expression that no one can hide from.

And the NFVCB, as the apostle of this global expression, will continue to work for the growth of the sector. Our belief at the board is that as an information-based sector, the motion picture industry is so powerful and quite significant to social and economic development. And as a creative industry which has brought fortunes and fame to the country, our job at the NFVCB is to ensure that the industry keeps growing, using talents and technology to attain perfection"

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