The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Adebayo Thomas, on Monday, announced that the board was set to seize foreign films sold in the Nigerian market.
Thomas said this while addressing officers of the board in Benin at a capacity building workshop for members of staff of NFVCB South-South Zone.
The workshop with the theme: “Film and Video Works in the New Horizon”, held from April 29 – 30, with stakeholders from the academic and industry practitioners as resource persons to train participants.
According to the Chief Executive, all foreign films in DVDs, CDs and other such means, sold across Nigeria are illegal since they were not licensed by the board. He said that popular Mexican and Zee World Soaps, which had flooded local stations in recent times, were unlicensed and unclassified by the board as well.
He said, “We are set to begin nationwide raid on foreign films that have found their way illegally into the Nigerian market at the expense of our local films. Apart from the ones we have in the cinemas, which are licensed by the board, other foreign films available in the market are illegal.
“Licensing and classification of imported films/video works are part of the board’s mandate, and any foreign film that has to be sold in the country or aired on our local stations needs its approval. First, you must show to the board that there is a proper collection of copyright from the owner of the foreign film from the originating country. Besides, such films must be sent to us for a rating in order to ascertain whether it connotes Nigeria’s code and classification,” he said.
The Executive Director said that although the board was not shutting out on foreign films and video works, protecting local content was crucial in its operations. He therefore, urged all film stakeholders operating in the country to ensure total compliance with the board’s regulations to avoid legal actions. Thomas said that NFVCB was working toward collaborating with sister agencies to successfully curb the proliferation of local market with imported films.
