DGN NIGERIA: NFVCB Classification Training Celebrates Women In Filmmaking

By Perekeme Odon

There are numerous industries in which experts offer opinions about the quality of products and brands. For example, movie critics make suggestions about a soon-to-be released movie’s artistic and entertainment value, just like the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has long compared brands across numerous product categories, and so forth.

In addition, consumers are increasingly posting online evaluations of products and brands by reviewing books on Amazon.com, movies on Netflix.com, video games on Gamespot.com, or restaurants on Citysearch.com.

Classifications of movies and videos do not exist to cast judgment or dictate the viewing habits of adults. Grown-ups have no use for such an approach in free society, except otherwise. The rating system exists to give parents clear, and concise information about a film’s content, in order to help them determine whether a movie is suitable for their children.

Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director NFVCB

Photo Credit: Aishat Abiola

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) often referred to, as the Censors Board is a statutory censorship and classification body under the Ministry of Information and Culture, Government of Nigeria. It is tasked with "regulating the public exhibition of films and videos under the provisions of Act 85 of 1993 as the official regulatory agency for the film and video sector of the Nigerian economy mainly controlled by the government. The Board is empowered by law to classify all films and videos whether imported or produced locally; register all films and videos outlets across the country and to keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions.

A Board of parents assigns classification. Their job is to reflect what they believe would be the majority view of their fellow Nigerian parents in assigning a rating to a film. This gives the system a built-in mechanism to continually evolve with current parental concerns. For instance, as society has grown increasingly concerned about drug use since the 1993, the rating system of film too should reflect that growing parental concern.

Hilda Dokubo

Photo Credit: Aishat Abiola

The task of the classification board is simple — to rate a film's suitability for certain audiences based on its content and helps parents decide what films are appropriate for the children. In assigning ratings, the Board considers factors such as language, sex, violence, drug use and other themes and situations that they believe would be of significant concern to most parents.

In honour of the Nigerian women in filmmaking business, the Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) organised a three-day training workshop to improve the NFVCB relationships with existing stakeholders and potential clients; a follow up in sequence this year on the theme, “The Essence Of Classification In Film Production; In Celebration Of The 2019 Women In The Business Of Filmmaking and Production Week” at the Peridot Hotel and Suites, ICAN Avenue, Amuwo-Odofin, FESTAC, Lagos state on 11-13 January 2019 with participants from all Local Government Areas in Lagos state, filmmakers and stakeholders.

At the start of the training, the Executive Director of the NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, welcomed everyone and gave an opening assertion of the programme. “The essence of the workshop has to do with interaction, training and developing participants’ awareness; ensuring one to adhere to the rules guiding classification and acceptance of how it works. “

In her presentation, veteran actress Hilda Dokubo who was the keynote speaker spoke comprehensively on the evolution of Nollywood as an industry whose production started from the VHS format for the home and family in mind. She gave a detailed analysis of film classification and how the rating functions work in a whole, highlighting that the early days of film censorship to a contemporary system committed to providing information and transparency about the content of films. She emphasized on gender classification, which will makes rating system remains a shining symbol of Nigerian artistic and creative freedom.

Alhaji Safiu Alao

Photo Credit: Aishat Abiola

She presaged classification of film creates standard and make the filmmaker blameless on any accusation and scowled them for not supporting the NFVCB by classifying and rating of their films. She assiduously conversed that “It is very important we look at cases of abuse and sexual harassment of females and how women are being portrayed.” She said. “The need for practitioners to submit their works for classification is very necessary because rating determines a work for consumption by creating standards and also protects both consumers and filmmakers. I feel strongly that, if truly classification protects, then we should use it to protect our children,”

Mrs. Zeezee Ihe-Okuneye deliberated on ‘mentorship’ and encouraged creative practitioners to have to tell their own stories in a positive way because “Children are watching them as role models. She advised them to have mentors as it creates accountability”.

Screenwriter, director and filmmaker, Mr. Niyi Akanni discussed on ‘How to Read Nigerian Films’ from the perspective of the screenwriter, director and filmmaker. While the President of Association of Movie Producer’s President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike spoke on ‘The Role of Guilds In The Growth Of The Nigerian Film Industry’.

AMP President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike

Photo Credit: Aishat Abiola

A notable presentation of the training was the introduction of Mrs. Cecilia Abiola Odusanya on the ‘Role Of Women In Film And Production- How Well Has This Roles Portrayed Womenfolk In Our Society’. She posted on the need for more women inclusion into the film production, taking up key roles (director, cinematographer, film producer, etc) and not relying on the acting and menial roles given to them. She asserted that the culture of male dominance and female submission should be discouraged because female presence in filmmaking is more significant than just employment, since it contributes to greater cultural issues. “There are notable exceptional women who have figuratively broken through the celluloid ceilings and become pioneers in their fields. Apart from a huge gender disparity in Nollywood and general filmmaking, in modern times women have made inroads and contributed positively into filmmaking,” she said.

A Group Photograph With The Executive Director

Photo Credit: Aisha Abiola

Mrs. Odusanya condemned her observations on the feminist concern in film theory where females are being projected wrongly by constantly being seen as sexual objects with near nude costumes with cleavages revealed, perpetual casting and stereotyping certain roles for particular females, or ways they behave with no symbolic cause. She said “ Most viewers tend to forget that film is a make believe, and would want to practice what they see in our films and home videos because it affects both shallow and educated minded people in our society We don’t need to make films that will make evil attractive.”

Another discussant, arts, media consultant, and former Acting Head, Theatre Arts Department, Lagos State University Prof. Tunji Azeez engaged participants on ‘The Art Of Storytelling and Nation Branding’. He acknowledged the Executive Director of NFVCB for the awareness campaigns through workshops and trainings on film and video classification and enforcement. He illuminated that every story you remember is a simple story. As human beings, we had wanted to tell stories. “Storytelling has been part of man by communicating his thoughts and feelings on rocks and stones; oral narrations and folktales since creation with no one having a monopoly of it. Every story must be about something or somebody.”

Prof. Tunji Azeez

He revealed that stories have become so important in our lives since there are various types and forms of stories; and every storyteller must have a mission to achieve at the end with the audience taken into consideration.

“Censorship should begin with the creative mind and the board should be ready to drop some narratives affecting of reasoning. Nollywood has great stories to conquer the consciousness of its audience but it all depends how the stories are told. It is not a crime to have stories in parts, but the story must have the Aristotelian concept of a beginning, middle and end because stories are meant to captivate the audience with adequate takeaways. There must be things and situations that give the audience catharsis and purification,” he said.

Prof. Azeez furthermore elucidated on the importance of classification to standardization in filmmaking by the board and the corporation. He said there are movies produced in Nigeria, but due to the quality and technical flaws cannot be broadcast in some countries. “The story alone is not enough, but standardization matters a lot. We need to educate ourselves on international best practices. Most filmmakers are not aware that a flashlight scene of more than 10 seconds may not run in some countries in Europe and America due to an illness called photosensitive epilepsy, which causes a sick viewer seizure after 10 seconds. That is why it is boldly written on the jacket and screen of movies containing flash scenes thereby protecting viewers with that ailment”.

He amplified the importance and role film and television industry play in building a positive Nation Brand reputation and believes domestically that Nollywood is capable of producing world–class production that is internationally acclaimed. He advised the film industry to be very critical in how we are able to showcase the country in a positive light through breathtaking landscapes and adaptable locations so as to bring foreign direct investment into the country. “It is through these platforms that we continue to showcase the country’s competitiveness, values, sites and cultural heritage. In branding Nigeria, we must see Nigeria as a product for people to love and respect by telling local stories to positioning the country as a film production destination and also showcase top-notch homegrown talents and places.”

Mrs. Cecilia Abiola Odusanya

NFVCB Board member and trouper actor Mr. Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey similarly delivered a paper on the ‘Essence of Classification’ in film and video by chronicling on the origin of Nollywood when production activity was that vibrant where we had very popular soaps and lots of NTA staff like Sadiq Daba being an integral part of the growth of the industry.

He recognized Prof. Tunji Azzez on highlighting on the techniques of storytelling, which are a deliberate attempt, process and component in the art of filmmaking. “One of the reasons we have to classify our films is to protect the young ones and create racial and religious harmony. We have lost everything Nigerian because of infiltrations. Scriptwriters write stories deliberately to affect the psych of the viewers just because they can identify with the concept introduced,” he declared.

Barr. Nobert Ajaegbu & Mr. Ralph Nwadike

He went further to state that, “We need to think of the messages and contents we send out to maintain our national interest because countries use film as their foreign policy in the same sequence you see the protagonist prevail”.

Former President Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Mr. Madu Chikwendu enquired at the board’s operations at every primary or secondary element at enforcement of statue to ensure compliance in the classification code with a monitoring team at cinema houses making sure the real audience are watching these movies and the penalties for defaulters.

NFVCB Deputy Director, Film Censorship and Classification Mrs. Alonge-Oyadiran Oluyemi responded that outlets are been monitored for strict compliance to the rules of the laws guiding the board. “From time to time the NFVCB team goes to the cinema houses to make sure unclassified films are not screened. You also don’t allow under age to watch a particular film and when you contravene the law, there is always a penalty for that.”

DGN President, Mr. Fred Amata

Capt. Joseph A. Kalu (Rtd.), a participant advocated that classification should start from the writing of the story. He informed that titles should be seriously considered too so as not to mislead the public or classified category.

The President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Mr. Fred Amata took the lectern and discussed ‘Film As A catalyst For National Growth”. He started by defining national growth and its relation to economic growth, which has to do with the GDP and percentage revenue of an economy. He highlighted on “National growth which is the growth per capital not only in the economic indices but also found in other salient factors, intellectual expression, cultural, religion and political emancipation per capital consummating in both capacity in the population. National growth must contain one of the under listed and that is where film comes into play with economic benefits.”

He also added that the rapid development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has enabled new media service forms, such as digital television, digital printing and cross media. On the other hand, it has also changed the value chain of the media industry and made the end product more modular. “The industry employs the next highest number to the Federal Government; and even with the poor access to finance, lack of cinema houses and adequate structure coupled with the deafening silence passage of the MOPPICON Bill, I am sure we will agree that the environment for filmmaking is very vibrant and the industry has attracted worldwide attention to the country with improving technology and technological know,” he said.

Abeokuta based award winning fuji music star, Alhaji Safiu Alao aka Baba Oko who spoke in Yoruba language was very delighted to be part of the event and admitted to be a lover of Nigerian films. “I am very happy to be part of this programme because I am also a love of films, especially Nigerian films.”

Female Talking Drummer, ARA Performing at the pool side

Photo Credit: Aishat Abiola

A the close of the event, the Executive Director thanked everyone and extolled the keynote speaker for educating participants on gender classification which is not there in the Nigerian rating system. “ I got something shocking and prevailing from the keynote speaker’s presentation which is gender classification. It is not in our rating to classify films strictly on gender.” He went on to explain that, “In an African perspective, it is very difficult to discuss sex education with kids when a male and female are together, but if a film comes as sex education and is strictly made for a particular agenda, the act of learning fast would be easy to peers of same age.”

Participants who attended the even are pioneer movie marketer and producer of “Battle of Musanga” Igwe Gabriel Garbosky Okoye, former Lagos Chairman (FVPMAN) Barr. Nobert Ajaebgu, Mr. Victor Emeghara, DGN President, Mr. Fred Amata, AMP President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike, former President AMP Mr. Madu Chikwendu, Araola Olamuyiwa (Ara), Isolo LCDA Rep, Hon. Sadiq Adeola, Alonge-Oyadirn Oluyemi (NFVCB), NFVCB Board member, Mr. Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Fuji musician. Alhaji Safiu Alao, Fatimah Hajju Abdulkadir (NFVCB), Mr. Clement Ogbo (NFVCB Lagos), Mrs. Emegha Uju (NFVCB South West Zone), Mr. Mark Eje-Ehi Akhuetie (NFVCB, Lagos), Capt. Joseph Kalu (Rtd), staff members of NFVCB from various zones among others.