The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on Saturday solicited the support of leaders of the creative industry guilds and associations in clamping down on illegal operators.

At the end of a two-day stakeholders’ forum held in Lagos, NFVCB’s executive director, Adedayo Thomas, said the clampdown was necessary to advance the creative industry.

“It is not enough to solely wait on NFVCB; we need your cooperation as well,” Mr Thomas said. “We have been trying our best, but you are in the best position to ensure illegal operators are coarse to be legal by ensuring that they are registered.”

He said it was disheartening to have actors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, producers and directors who were not registered in any professional guild or association operating in the creative space.

Mr Thomas said the NFVCB had been trying to curb illegal operations over the years, adding that it was time the guilds and associations collaborated with the board.

“This can be done when an illegal actor features in a film and such actor is not paid until he is made to be registered with the Actors Guild of Nigeria; this is applicable to other guilds and associations.

“The unregistered operators could be easily identified at various movie shooting locations.

“We must collectively ensure that the industry is professionalised by removing quacks, there is a need to clean the system,” he said.

Mr Thomas also urged the creative industry practitioners to assist the board in identifying defiant fond of distributing uncensored works.

He said to be able to do this, they must ensure well-organised guilds and associations.

Responding, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, national president, Federation of Nollywood Guilds and Associations (FRENGAN), said there was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which would ensure a clampdown on all illegal operators in due course.

According to her, this MoU will be signed by leaders of guilds and associations.

Earlier, Torty Joseph, a movie producer, urged the NFVCB to wade into issues of unregistered actors who feature in movies censored by the board.

Also, Solomon Arusi, coordinator, Association of Movie Practitioners (AMPRAC), South-East zone, identified the challenges in the industry that NFVCB could address.

Mr Arusi said given the high production cost of movies, investors usually did not break even on their investments anymore, urging the NFVCB to engage Nollywood practitioners in conferences to revamp the industry. 

(NAN)