The Role of Film in National Development

Abstract

This study examined the Role of Film in National Development: Problems and prospects using movie industries and movie viewers in Abuja as a case study. Survey research methodology was adopted while one hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered to the selected respondents within Movie Industries and movie viewers in Abuja metropolis. Findings have established that Nigeria film industries are promoting our cultural values, it builds youths talents. Also, poor funding of movie industries, inadequate production equipment, poor scripting, poor story research and the advent of ICT have been described as the major problems facing movie industries in Nigeria in achieving national development. Nigeria home movie industries can enhance national development through stories that focus on peaceful co-existence of Nigeria, if their stories are on corruption effects, if stories are on good governance and if the stories are in culture. It is recommended that the Nigerian Films Censors Commission should scrutinize films before they are sent out for viewing by the larger audience and script writers should always have at the back of their minds that Nigeria cultural heritage and national unity should be foremost on their minds when they are writing any script. This chapter also recommends the creation of more film festivals in order to encourage both amateurs and professionals in this field in order to showcase their productions; connect and network for partnership should be established. Funding initiatives to encourage both emerging and emerged veterans in this field is recommended so that more revenue can be generated for the nation and the productions from Nollywood can stand shoulder high with her counterparts from the rest of the world.