Movie Marketers ban
Ghanaian movies in Nigeria
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June 23, 2012 | 12:20 pm
Home Video People
SPECULATIONS are rife that
the once harmonious
relationship between the
Nigerian movie industry,
Nollywood and its
counterpart, Ghana’s
Ghollywood,is currently
under threat as the movie
marketers under the aegis of
Film, Video Producers and
Marketers Association of
Nigeria (FVPMAN) has placed
embargo on Ghanaian films
with effect from the end of
this month.
The association has also
resolved to halt the
distribution of films
produced by non-
professionals. It insists that if
such film(s) must be
distributed at all, its right of
ownership should be
transferred to its members
on negotiation.
*Nollywood films on display
The FVPMAN chairman,
Onitsha branch, Mr. Uzo
Godson Nwosu who
confirmed this development
to HVP, said this position was
taken after the association’s
general meeting last
weekend in Onitsha.
According to him, the
decision became necessary
following the position taken
by their Ghanaian
counterparts who have
banned the distribution of
Nigerian films in their
country long time ago.
His words, “starting from the
first week of August, no
Ghanaian film will be allowed
to enter the Nigerian market
again. We have resolved that
no Ghanaian film will be
distributed within our
controlled market. Our
Ghanaian counterparts have
long stopped distributing
our films in their country,
and given this development,
we have no choice than to
reciprocate the gesture.”
FVPMAN boss stated.
Nwosu who is also the Chief
Executive Officer of Guinks
Investment said any of their
members who failed to
compile with this new order
will either be prosecuted or
have his goods confiscated
by the association.
The marketer said the
association is finalising plans
to storm Ghana any moment
from now, particularly to
confront those local
television stations who are
illegally airing Nigerian films
without obtaining
permission from the right
owners.
Also, given the problem
associated with “second tier
market”(where a producer is
compelled to observe a
three-month grace before
releasing his film into the
market in a large quality),
Nwosu said the association
has decided to reversed the
trend.
Film owners, according to
him, are now free to release
their films into the market
without necessarily
observing the mandatory
three months grace before
doing so.
They will also be required to
obtain censors’ board and
copy right commission’s
documents in addition to
registering the film with the
sum of N10,000 with the
FVPMAN.
“In order to move the
association forward, we
have resolved to address the
problem of second tier
market.” FVPMAN boss
further stated.
Sh