By Chris Onuoha

It was an evening of expositions when the School of Media and Communication (Pan Atlantic University) in collaboration with HomeVida hosted prominent personalities within the Nigerian film industry.

The forum which was part of efforts put in place to discuss and chart a new way into Digitizing the History of Film in Nigeria with the theme: “Making the link: Technology and Values in Film making”, was held at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos.

Focusing on the enabling power of Film to instill and sustain our historical and cultural values using the Internet as an enabler, the veterans comprising renowned and respected thespian Taiwo Ajayi  Lycett lead the session in company of some Nollywood veteran directors and producers Zeb Ejiro, Teco Benson, Lancelot Imasuen, Tony Abulu while the president of the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP) Alex Eyengho, president of the Designers (Costumiers) Guild of  Nigeria, Iyen Agbonifo and Titi Akinsanmi, Google’s Policy and Government Relations added colour to it.

As the aim of the Centenary Film Project is to digitally showcase and archive the history of film in Nigeria in an organized and accessible format, they shared from their experience and perspectives on integrating social and cultural values into Nigerian films, the challenges the industry face on quality and distribution and how Internet technologies can help to address these.

Ajayi- Lycett while speaking made a passionate appeal about the need to make more films that espouse the self-worth of the human person based on the combination of an appreciation of human dignity  and the celebration of our cultural values, and to corroborate this, Teco Benson highlighted the  fact that film making, beyond its economic gains is a major social responsibility that must be carried out with sanctity to help address and shape social and economic issues in the society, while keeping government accountable. In his words ‘the utmost responsibility of film making  is to correct while entertaining’.

The engine room of  the successful 2014 film ‘Invasion 1897’, Lancelot Imasuen and Zeb Ejiro collectively shared their experiences and opined that, for filmmakers, the focus on films  that incorporate social, cultural and national values can be undermined by the lack of funds and the fear of financial loss due to poor sales and low interest by viewers.

According to Imasuen, “filmmakers will rather produce films with junk content simply for survival, rather than quality as historical films may be financially demanding” while Ejiro insisted “that encouraging filmmakers to produce films based on our historical and cultural values requires that issue of funding be looked into.” Tony Abulu indicated that filmmakers should build their confidence and assume the personal responsibility of developing cultural values in the industry without depending on external funding.

Titi Akinsanmi, Google’s Policy Manager, weighed in on the role of technology and, specifically, the Internet in promoting and passing on Nigeria’s social and cultural values. She spoke of how the Internet is a non partisan, egalitarian and equalizing platform that is increasingly accessible to all irrespective of economic, social or cultural status. “It helps shape positions and opinions, presenting a unique opportunity for Nigerians to be directly involved in shaping the country’s reputation online by telling her own story.” She said.