By Cynthia Abah
In a recent interview with Pulse Nigeria, Moses Babatope, former managing director of FilmOne and co-founder of Filmhouse Group, highlighted three major challenges facing Nollywood. First and foremost, he emphasized the need for professionalization within the industry, citing the lack of structured training and certification processes for actors, producers, and directors. According to Babatope, this absence of formalization has led to a situation where individuals enter the industry without adequate preparation, resulting in a lower quality of productions.
Babatope also drew attention to the issue of funding, particularly for cinema infrastructure. He stressed the importance of cinemas as crucial outlets for monetization but expressed concern over the insufficient funding and slow development in this area. Additionally, he identified piracy as a significant threat to the sustainability of Nollywood, emphasizing the need for robust investment in combating this issue.
Furthermore, Babatope highlighted the importance of specialized services and innovation in addressing industry challenges. He advocated for the involvement of film marketing companies and tech players to improve advertising efforts and address issues such as production insurance. By leveraging technological advancements and embracing innovative solutions, Nollywood can navigate its challenges more effectively.
Lastly, Babatope underscored the crucial role of government support and favorable policies in accelerating Nollywood’s growth. He called for policies that enable the industry to thrive and urged greater collaboration between stakeholders. Without proactive intervention and support from governmental and regulatory bodies, the industry’s progress may be hindered, limiting its ability to reach its full potential.
