The federal government has instructed modern cinemas to begin showing Kannywood films.
The Nigerian Film Commission (NFC) has launched a significant initiative to ensure that Kannywood movies are screened in modern cinemas across the northern region of the country.
This initiative was announced during a meeting led by NFC President Dr. Ali Nuhu, which included stakeholders from the modern cinema industry, as well as Kannywood directors and producers.
The meeting took place last Saturday in the dining room of the Seelantro Hotel in Magajin Rumfa, Kano.
Director Ahmad S. Alkanawy, who attended the meeting, shared insights with Film magazine about the discussions. He urged cinema owners to pay attention to the current situation.
“‘Silverbird’ has come from Lagos and sent a representative; this represents a modern cinema, unlike those we had in the past.
There are now several such cinemas: one in Katsina, two in Kaduna, three in Kano, two in Abuja, and one in Adamawa.
However, they typically do not showcase Hausa films,” he mentioned.
“He stated that while regulations allow for the screening of Hausa movies, these cinemas often prioritize Nollywood films instead.
A committee has been established to assess the quality of films and determine what is lacking in Hausa cinema, which has led to its limited exhibition.
The committee comprises representatives from cinematographers, directors, and producers, the National Film Censorship Board, the State Films Censorship Board, and the Film Production Board in Nigeria.
This eleven-member committee has already held two sessions.”
When asked about the potential improvements for Kannywood resulting from this meeting, Alkanawy replied, “This will lead to significant improvement, as it has been confirmed that there will now be dedicated screens for showing Hausa films for a minimum of two weeks.
For example, in a scenario with twenty screens, even if each screening sells out at five hundred thousand Naira each time, that amounts to ten million Naira in cinema sales.”
He added that if a film is well-received, filmmakers could seek distribution on platforms like Amazon or Netflix, depending on the quality and appeal of their work.
“A film must encompass three essential elements: modern equipment, a compelling story, and a capable director. If these three components align, we expect the necessary development in our industry.”
Malam Ahmad Salihu Alkanawy also addressed the participants, stating, “My advice to my Kannywood colleagues is that this opportunity is now open to everyone; no one can claim favoritism.
Think of it like going to school: you can choose how many subjects to take, whether you aim for a university degree or something simpler.
Those who wish to benefit should strive to enhance their work. We recommend that those lacking sufficient capital consider forming partnerships for mutual benefit.
It is better to collaborate and pool resources to create something great than to work in isolation.”
