Q: How do I invest in the Nigerian Film Fund?
Register your interest on the Home page and give us an indication of how much you would be willing to invest. Once we have established the level of interest we will contact you again and formal subscription will start.
Q: I am a producer how can I contribute?
Contact us and leave your details on the Contact site. We will get back to you and discuss the details.
Q: I am a writer and would like to send you a script. Where do I send it to?
Please do not send any scripts. You can copy and paste your story synopsis in the contact form. If we like it we will ask for your script.
Q: I have other skills/ experience and would like to contact you.
Just use the contact form. We are always interested in hearing your ideas.
Q: What is the legal structure of your company?
The company has been set set up as a UK registered limited company based on shares. One half of the company is controlled by the directors, the other half belongs to the investors. The company registration number with Company House in the UK is 06707434. The company is registered as Nigerian Film Fund Ltd.
The registered address for the company is:
NIGERIAN FILM FUND Ltd
2ND FLOOR
145-157 ST JOHN STREET
LONDON
EC1V 4PY
Q: Why are you so confident you will be successful?
You cannot lack confidence and then want to start up a business. We are limiting the risk of production failure by producing a portfolio of up to 4 films a year. We carefully select scripts and test trailers on YouTube. We will shoot all films in HD or perhaps 16 mm using good camera, sound, lighting and editing techniques. We realise the importance of good post production techniques and the value that marketing can provide. We are specifically targeting the international market and the Nigerian expat community in the US/ Britain and elsewhere.
Q: Have you got a business plan?
Yes we do but is still in the making and constantly being developed. Much of what you see here is a reflection of this process. It is essentially work in progress. There will be a formal business plan for download in the near future.
Q: How does an investor benefit from the company?
Profits are paid out as dividends or re-invested into film productions.
Q: Will you ever list on the stockmarket?
There is no intention to do this at this point but if we were we would choose the shell company route over the more expensive IPO route.
Q: Are you not worried someone might steal your ideas?
Well, everyone could copy McDonalds and see what they became. Whoever wants to copy us is free to do so but will lack behind. We are constantly developing new ideas. It would be far better to join us instead. Besides, the Nigerian movie market is massive. Competitors and copycats are not really our main worry.
Q: How do you improve productions standards?
All our films are shot on high-quality high definition camera equipment or 16 mm. We pay much attention to good pre-and post production techniques. We combine good production standards with the zero/ low budget philosophy.
Q: How do you select your scripts?
We favour good story lines and interesting characters and a good narrative structure that translates easily into the language of film. We try to avoid expensive sets and rather prefer human interaction. We do like comedy since it is pure entertainment.. Yet, it is still possible to shoot an action film on a low budget if necessary. We also look at what films are popular in Nigeria and elsewhere and try to improve on this or perhaps distill a trend from it. Most importantly, we are open-minded and even go against the trend if we think the script is worth it. At the end of the day script selection and possibly modification is almost as much a creative process as writing a script and there is no magical sucess formula.
Q: Where will you shoot your films?
We will shoot films in the UK with Nigerians living in the UK and we, of course, also shoot films in Nigeria. To satisfy UK tax credit purposes there is a need to shoot a signficant amount in the UK and use a cast that in part is resident in the UK.
Q: Are you a fund or a production company?
A bit of both really. We prefer a hands-on approach and don't just want to sit back and hope that others can achieve the goals for us which we have set out to achieve. We love cinema and will produce and direct films. However, we will also work with other producers and invest in exciting ideas but they must adhere to very high production standards and we may take on a counsulting role in such situations.
Q: How many productions a year are planned?
Up to 4. Higher production standards mandate this.
Q: Are you worried about piracy?
This is a a very good issue but one that bedevils the whole industry accross the globe. We do not think digital rights management is likely to offer the definitive answer and believe that some degree of piracy will always be with us as an unavoidable evil. We are very watchful of our distribution channels as much of piracy in Nigeria is encouraged by ineffective and disorganised distribution. We are still looking into the best way of distributing movies. We like direct distribution and subscription services which offer better control. It is important to be ahead of the pirates and get films quickly marketed and distributed. It is also important to be flexible with the pricing structure to make piracy less attractive. We aim to instill a sense among viewers that a genuine product is always worth more than the fake product.
Q: How do I know this is not another Nigerian scam?
If this was a scam you would already have been asked for some kind of payment. Once subscription commences there will be a formal subscription process and a business plan informing you of the risks. All payments will be processed through a reputable UK bank or its Nigerian subsidiary.
If you believe someone else is using our name or has set up a dodgy copycat project for a scam contact us immediately and inform the authorities.
In view of recent misrepresentations in the Nigerian media we would like to categorically state that we are in no way associated with the Nigerian government or any of its bodies or organs. We are a private enterprise with the aim of rising funds from private investors to produce films of very high standards for the international film market.