Lagos Strengthens Partnership with Film Industry

The Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB) recently hosted its fifth Stakeholders’ conference, highlighting the state’s commitment to building a world-class film agency. The event underscored the crucial role of collaboration between the government and film industry practitioners in achieving a thriving and globally competitive creative sector. The conference, themed “Navigating the Future of Film: Balancing Creativity, Compliance, and Cultural Integrity,” attracted filmmakers, regulators, and industry experts, all focused on charting a sustainable path for the Lagos film industry.

the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, stressed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s dedication to empowering the Lagos film sector. She highlighted the importance of balancing creativity, compliance, and cultural integrity, emphasising that government collaboration with practitioners is key to achieving this goal. “Together, we can achieve a harmonious blend of creativity and compliance,” she said.

The Executive Secretary of LSFVCB, Mrs. Adebukola Agbaminoja, expressed gratitude for the industry’s support since assuming her role and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to not only regulate but also support and empower filmmakers. She highlighted the vision of positioning Lagos as the creative capital of Africa by fostering co-productions, celebrating Nigerian films with local flavors, and promoting global distribution. “Our aim is to create a thriving ecosystem where creativity and compliance coexist for maximum impact,” she noted.

The conference featured engaging sessions on key industry topics, including Reimagining Compliance as a Catalyst for Creative Excellence, Addressing the Rise of Violence and Abuse on Film Sets, Digital Citizenship and Online Etiquette, and the Impact of Streaming Platforms on Traditional Film Distribution Models. A panel discussion moderated by Victor Okhai included industry experts Chioma Ude, Moses Babatope, and Uche Agbo, providing insights into how the industry can adapt and thrive in the evolving creative landscape.

The event also showcased Lagos’ rich cultural heritage through performances of traditional dances and drama presentations by LSFVCB and the Council for Arts and Culture. Stakeholders commended the Lagos State Government for its continued support and urged ongoing collaboration to drive growth and excellence. “Together, we can make Lagos the premier creative hub of Africa,” they declared, highlighting the collective commitment to positioning the state at the forefront of the global film industry.