The national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Emeka Rollas has said that actors in Nollywood rank amongst the most vulnerable workers in the chain of content creation despite their contribution to the success of the creative industry.
Mr Rollas said this at the AGN International Festival press briefing and presentation of appointment letters to the newly selected members of the “kitchen cabinet.”
The AGN president said the aim of the festival is to provide a platform for film diplomatic activities, cultural change and sustainable creative and marketing collaboration between Nollywood and the international film industry.
“The festival is meant to ensure the business opportunities in the film industry is uniquely accessed by all, as we intend to improve a broader collaboration between filmmakers and the actors to directly and indirectly benefit from the $26 billion global film industry.
“It is also a prominent platform to celebrate and showcase the diverse talents in Nollywood, especially the performers, as we aspire to make the festival a powerful force to spotlight and showcase talents to the international producers, directors, studios and casting agencies. “We will also be raising the awareness of the creative impact of Nollywood to the world.
“Our dream is to see our members perform on the global stage and make mega income like their counterparts in other parts of the world,” he said.
Speaking further, Emeka Rollas said that actors play a significant role in working hard to bring a script to the screen but they are the most vulnerable workers despite their contribution to the industry.
“Our burgeoning film industry is a major economic driver, but at the moment, the ecosystem is to a large extent still very informal and as such has yet to deliver the full economic benefits of which it has proven capable in other parts of the world. Amongst all those who work hard to bring a script to screen, actors undoubtedly play a very significant role.
“In spite of the fundamental contributions they bring to the success of the industry, actors rank among the most vulnerable workers in the value chain of content creation.
“So, we are taking bolder steps to create a conducive environment for our members to thrive which informed the introduction of the international festival,” he said.
The Nollywood practitioner also inaugurated the international festival project management team consisting of Segun Arinze, as the festival director and Ifeoma Okeke, the festival producer.
Other members of the guild at the event include Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Emeka Ossai, Victor Osuagwu, Uchenna Nnanna, Mary Patrick, Tracy Edwin, Ronnie Diko and Alex Okoroji.
