The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says films from unregistered producers and directors will no longer be registered from January 1, 2021.
NFVCB executive director Adedayo Thomas said this on Wednesday during a meeting with motion picture practitioners in Lagos.
Mr Thomas said that such producers and directors who were not registered with recognised guilds or associations and the board were considered illegal and would be given a window period of one month to do so before January.
He said every association or guild must also register with NFVCB as legal bodies, saying that this would be beneficial to them in terms of accessing some benefits in the long run.
“No film will be censored from producers or directors who are not members of a recognised and professional association or guild.
“We observed that most practitioners are not professional in their practices. This is our own way of sanitising the industry.
“This morning we have 15 registered associations in attendance but in our database, we have over 2,000 associations.
“I want you all to know that we are not compromising with our laws. For us to recognise you, you must register with us with evidence of your Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificate,” Thomas said.
Some of the associations present for the meeting were: Actors Guild of Nigeria, Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria, Association of Movie Marketers and Producers, Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria and Directors Guild of Nigeria.
Those present agreed with the NFVCB management that all guilds and associations must have at least 50 members and be registered with the CAC.
It was also agreed that associations must pay registration fees to NFVCB and more.
