Kaduna Film Festival Director calls for investment to boost Nigerian cinema

Audu Kashim Israel, Director of the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), has called for increased government support and private investment to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s creative industry. Speaking during a media parley in Kaduna, Israel emphasized that while Nollywood enjoys international recognition, the industry faces significant hurdles including inadequate funding, limited production infrastructure, piracy, and weak monetization structures.

Israel highlighted that rising costs are specifically hindering movie production. He noted that the increasing price of importing essential equipment, such as cameras, has made it difficult for filmmakers to produce high-quality content. To address these challenges, he proposed that the government introduce incentives, such as tariff relief on imported film equipment, and develop policies through the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to support practitioners.

Furthermore, the director stressed the need for better resources and market access for filmmakers outside major production hubs, particularly in Northern Nigeria. He urged filmmakers to unite through professional associations to present a collective voice to the government, arguing that such a unified approach is necessary to ensure their concerns are addressed effectively.