Filmmaker seeks support to build Ogoja film village

Renowned filmmaker, Francis Abang, has solicited partnerships with Nigerian investors in building world-class infrastructure at Ogoja Film Village in Cross River.

Abang, who had produced more than 35 films, made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

He said that making Ogoja a mega film village would help address challenges faced by Nigerian film producers in sourcing suitable movie locations.

According to him, five hectares of land have already been acquired in Ogoja but investors are needed to erect the needed infrastructure for movie production.

He noted that some of the infrastructures to be put in place were; movie theatres, modern houses, mud houses, arenas for epic, contemporary and mixed culture films and some other infrastructures.

“I want Nigerian investors to contact me through: 3mtalentacademy@gmail.com, if they are interested in partnering with me to build a mega film village.

“This will be a dream come true for us filmmakers, because we usually face the challenge of getting suitable site to shoot our movies, but with the film village, a peculiar problem we face would be surmounted,” he said.

Abang, popularly known as “Jackson,” said that Cross River was a beautiful place suitable for movie production considering the scenery nature and some other features.

“Building a mega film village in Ogoja is one of the projects I seek investors to partner over, also to produce some of my films which were of cultural and socio-economic benefit to individuals and the nation,” he said.

The filmmaker urged television stations to focus on assisting filmmakers in advertising their works in order to get sponsors to produce more films that would further position the nation as the hub of entertainment.

He noted that his most recent movie was “Tough Call” which attempted to evaluate ways the society can be changed positively and ensure Nigerian teenagers were made to watch films as a form of education.

He said that he was currently working on “The Visit of the Governor” which will be relaying the history of how Nigerian independence came about.

He called on Nigerians to lend supporting hands to filmmakers to produce more films that were capable of correcting societal ills.