Capacity Building, MOPPAN’s Strategy To Improving Northern Nigeria Film Industry

Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) is leaning heavily on capacity building and collaboration as part of its strategy to boosting the northern Nigeria film industry.

The association is the umbrella body guiding and providing capacity building for northern filmmakers situated in 19 northern states of the countries plus the FCT, for the development of the northern film industry (Kannywood).

With the appointment of Mr Umar Mai Kudi (aka Cash man), and a new executive team two weeks ago, the association aims at addressing issues of poor production quality, absence of funding and investors, and inaccessibility of filming technology to northern filmmakers, in addition to distribution and regulation issues.

MOPPAN, Kudi said will collaborate with experts to train members on latest techniques in cinematography, sound and film editing; the latest models of film distribution like the streaming services, script development and writing among others.

To address the impact of inaccessibility of film technology, poor funding and absence of technical know-how on Kannywood, the association aims to work out a partnership with film tech distributors or hirers, that centers on a shared profit basis in any production, or ‘pay for equipment use’ post film sales.

It also looks towards the relaxation of certain film regulations by government to give northern filmmakers a chance in the industry.

“We are not saying that we won’t pay National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) censorship or grading fees but we do need leniency on certain laws of the board to scale through (its criteria),” said Kudi.

With global streaming platform like Netflix closing commissions of original stories in Nigeria last year, coupled with the existing limited/ absence of funding, sees both Nollywood and the less visible Kannywood (brimming with lots of original stories to tell) at a disadvantage, and scrambling to find alternative.

While alternatives such Northflix and an upcoming streaming platform Sakala are available, Kudi says they are not Netflix. He, however, noted the need for structure in film distribution to ensure northern filmmakers – from the first port of call – the cinema to Netflix.

“Cinemas are the first place to show a film which we have just a few in the north. This is because you premiere on cinemas, make your money there first, before going on to streaming platforms.”

With the limited cinemas, and poor technical know-how, MOPPAN intends to start with the training of members on how to monetize their films on social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram).

“Consistently posting content on YouTube is a good place to start, then graduate to Netflix, which is the highest level of distribution, where you are provided specific picture and sound quality to meet for a production.”

Barely two weeks into office and still in the handover process, Kudi and his new executive have mapped out activities for the first quarter of the year. They include, facilitation of a training on how members can monetize their films on YouTube, Instagram, in addition to courtesy visits to government parastatals and agencies as NFVCB, Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, among others.

To further ensure an inclusive, transparent and accountability administration, Kudi said, MOPPAN will always carry along its female members with regards to foster trainings, and access to female-focused funding, grants or female, we will inform and encourage them to participate.