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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Director of the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), Audu Kashim Israel, has identified piracy, inadequate funding and rising production costs as major challenges threatening the growth of Nigeria’s film industry, warning that economic hardship is making it increasingly difficult for filmmakers to acquire modern equipment and sustain their businesses.
Israel said many emerging filmmakers, particularly those operating outside major production centres, were struggling to translate their creative talents into sustainable careers because of limited access to finance, modern production facilities, professional training and distribution opportunities.
He spoke during a media parley with journalists, where he called for increased government and private-sector investment to address the challenges confronting the creative industry.
According to him, Nigeria’s film industry possesses enormous creative potential, but persistent financial and structural difficulties continue to limit its capacity to generate employment, attract investment and compete effectively in the global market.
Despite Nollywood’s international recognition, Israel maintained that the industry must confront its underlying challenges to ensure that filmmakers can produce quality content, protect their intellectual property and earn sustainable returns from their work.
The KADIFF director expressed concern over the difficulties confronting filmmakers who need modern cameras, lighting equipment, sound systems, editing facilities and other technical resources to produce films that meet contemporary industry standards.
He noted that limited access to production facilities and financing remained significant obstacles, particularly for young and independent filmmakers who lack the financial capacity to invest in expensive equipment.
“For many emerging filmmakers, especially in Northern Nigeria, the challenge is not necessarily a lack of talent or compelling stories. It is often the absence of the support systems needed to turn talent into sustainable careers and viable businesses,” he said.
Israel’s remarks highlighted concerns about how Nigeria’s difficult economic conditions can compound existing problems in the creative sector, as filmmakers struggle to raise production capital while meeting the costs of equipment, logistics, personnel and post-production services.
He argued that talent alone was insufficient to sustain a competitive film industry without the infrastructure, funding and professional support needed to turn creative ideas into commercially viable productions.
The festival director also stressed the need to address disparities between filmmakers operating in established production centres and those working in other parts of the country.
He said emerging filmmakers outside major industry hubs needed better access to equipment, investment, professional networks and distribution channels to compete for opportunities in Nigeria and internationally.
Israel also identified piracy and weak monetisation structures as critical problems affecting the industry’s sustainability, noting that the value of filmmaking could not be fully realised without effective systems for protecting creative works and generating revenue.
Piracy remains a concern for filmmakers because unauthorised copying and distribution can undermine legitimate sales and limit the returns available to producers who invest time, money and resources in their projects.
The KADIFF director called for stronger intellectual property protection and improved distribution systems, stressing that Nigeria needed to treat filmmaking as a business rather than merely an entertainment activity.
“If we are serious about growing the sector, we must move beyond celebrating the number of films we produce. We must also examine how much value the industry creates, how many sustainable jobs it generates, how much investment it attracts, and how effectively our films reach audiences at home and abroad,” he said.
He maintained that the industry’s success should be measured not only by the volume of films produced but also by the revenue generated, jobs created, investment attracted and ability of filmmakers to reach paying audiences.
According to him, strengthening intellectual property protection, expanding legitimate distribution channels and improving monetisation structures would help create a more sustainable environment for filmmakers and other creative professionals.
To address these challenges, Israel called for stronger collaboration between government, private investors, financial institutions, educational institutions and industry stakeholders.
He said government could support the industry through policies that improve access to financing, strengthen copyright protection, develop creative infrastructure and expand practical training opportunities for young people.
He also urged private-sector organisations, including banks, telecommunications companies, technology firms and media organisations, to recognise the economic potential of the creative industry and support its development through strategic investments and partnerships.
“The creative industry cannot achieve its full potential without an enabling environment,” he said.
Israel explained that such an environment should include improved access to production facilities, professional development programmes, investment opportunities and mechanisms to help filmmakers distribute their works and earn revenue.
He added that partnerships should extend beyond conventional sponsorship to include training, equipment access, film production, distribution, technology and other initiatives capable of delivering long-term benefits to the industry.
The KADIFF director further called for investment in skills development, noting that filmmaking offers employment opportunities in acting, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound design, animation, visual effects, production management and digital distribution.
He said young people needed practical training, mentorship, access to equipment and professional networks to develop their skills and build sustainable careers.
Israel said Kaduna State had the cultural heritage, human resources and storytelling potential to become a significant centre for film production and creative enterprise in Northern Nigeria.
He noted that the state’s historical landmarks, traditional institutions, cultural diversity and contemporary experiences offered rich material for stories capable of attracting national and international audiences.
However, he stressed that realising this potential would require deliberate investment in local talent, infrastructure and partnerships.
“Through KADIFF, we want to contribute to building a stronger creative ecosystem in Kaduna by encouraging emerging filmmakers, connecting local talent with national and international opportunities, and promoting the state as a destination for cultural activities and film-related investment,” he said.
He added that a thriving film industry could stimulate economic activities in tourism, hospitality, transportation, fashion, event management and technical services.
According to him, supporting filmmakers would therefore have benefits beyond the entertainment industry, particularly in creating opportunities for young people and supporting businesses connected to film production.
The KADIFF director also called on journalists to give greater attention to the economic and structural issues affecting Nigeria’s film industry.
He said media coverage should extend beyond celebrity news and entertainment controversies to include investigations into film financing, piracy, distribution revenues, copyright protection, employment and investment in the creative sector.
“The media are not merely observers of the creative industry. You are important partners in its development,” Israel said.
He explained that responsible reporting could help attract investors, promote emerging talent, expose industry challenges and draw the attention of policymakers to areas requiring intervention.
He also urged journalists to highlight the experiences of independent filmmakers, young creatives, women in the industry and professionals working behind the scenes.
Israel assured the media that KADIFF remained open to constructive criticism and professional scrutiny, noting that transparency and accountability were essential to building confidence in the festival and the wider creative industry.
Looking ahead, Israel said the festival was preparing for its 10th anniversary in 2027, an occasion he hoped would provide an opportunity to deepen partnerships, expand opportunities for emerging filmmakers and strengthen Kaduna’s profile as a destination for cinema and cultural exchange.
He said the anniversary should go beyond celebration to promote sustainable creative institutions, encourage investment and create more opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers.
“We want KADIFF@10 to represent more than a celebration of longevity. It should mark a renewed commitment to building sustainable creative institutions, promoting African stories, encouraging investment, and creating opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers,” he said.
Israel reiterated that addressing piracy, improving access to financing, strengthening production infrastructure and protecting creative rights would be essential to the industry’s long-term growth.
He called on government, private investors, educational institutions, filmmakers and the media to work together to build a more inclusive and sustainable creative economy.
“The future of Nigeria’s film industry depends on our collective willingness to invest in talent, improve infrastructure, strengthen institutions, protect creative rights, and build partnerships that create lasting value,” he said.
