Nollywood Veteran, Joke Silva, has called on the Federal Government to ensure filmmakers in the country gain easy access to funds to produce films.
“Over the years, filmmakers have found it difficult to access funds to produce films, a development government needs to wade into to encourage filmmakers,” she said.
Silva said that the Bank of Industry (BOI) is primarily responsible for providing funding to filmmakers, but new channels ought to be established.
“Accessibility to fund to produce films should not be made too difficult for us, the hurdles are too cumbersome. Effective ways should also be created through which the funds can be returned; so that the source does not get exhausted,” she said.
She pointed out that in order to help the creative industry even more, the government needs to improve distribution for cinemas and theatrical exhibitions.
In her words;
“Government should be able to help the creatives to produce and run their work for longer duration, because it is when works are run for long that the producer generates much revenue.”
The actress advised colleagues on the need to collaborate in view of the current economic situation in the country.
“While government and the economic team are doing all they can to ensure our economy does not go under, in the creative space, we have to look at strategies that will make us function.
“By collaboration, we will be spreading our net wider, that is the way actors will probably earn more,” she added.
