"DSTV is Killing Nollywood" - CBC's efforts

Popular actor, Emeka Ike, has claimed that Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) , has contributed immensely to the woes of Nigerian Movie industry, Nollywood. The actor, who claimed he is now worth N3 million or more noted that the advent of DSTV’s Africa Magic has drastically short-changed Nigerian actors. In his words; “DSTV is one of the greatest woes of Nollywood. They play our movies back-to-back until they lose their economic value. And they don’t even pay us royalties.” “When you ask them, they will tell you the producer has signed out the movie to them. They have come to short-change us and it has killed the movie industry.” He, however called on the government to fund movie marketers in order for the industry to develop. Source: http://www.nigeriafilms.com

This news quip illustrates the importance of a business project which the Commonwealth Business Council is organising in Nigeria in October this year in collaboration with the Nollywood Business Forum (NBF). It is to be a two-day event focusing on the critical issues confronting Nollywood as it attempts to achieve its artistic and business potential. The CBC is looking at an interactive Business Round Table on 17 and 18 October, immediately after the opening of the London Film Festival and a Nollywood Academy day on 19 October which will culminate in their first Oscar-style awards (the Crystal Awards) that evening. Peter Longworth, Director of CBC and ex High Commissioner to Zimbabwe is helping to set up the event and explains that "The conference is the first of its kind aimed at addressing these issues and enabling Nollywood to achieve its potential. We reckon it is 15 years behind Bollywood, but could catch up in five."

Afro-Ip was introduced to this story by licensing specialist, Mary-Ellen Field.