Traditionally film has always been one of the most rewarding businesses in the world. It is also an industry that does well even in times of recession. When America was dogged by the Great Depression in the thirties Disney made successful films and build an empire that would last until the present day.
Yet, Hollywood is not an industry open to small investors and ever increasing competetion and enormous production costs have reduced once phenomenal margins. While it is possible to invest in small independent productions this is very much a risky 'hit and miss' approach. There has yet been no film fund that opens investors a spread across different productions, is open to retail investors through a small minimum fund subscription and is focused on commercial success.
Nollywood is a film industry in its infancy. Yet the market for Nigerian-produced films is increasing year over year. Nollywood is a billion dollar cottage industry. Nigerians at home and abroad are the prime market for Nigerian films but other African nations are showing an interest too. Nollywood is churning out productions at breakneck speed while largely ignoring good productions standards. Nigerian films are known as home movies. Nigeria only has a few film houses and productions are often shot on consumer video cameras with little regard to sound, editing and lighting techniques.
This lack of good production standards has also been the main entry barrier to Nigerian films achieving well-deserved recognition and competing at internationa film festivals and more importantly in the international film arena. While the Nigerian government is trying to raise standards through fund injection and competitions, little has been done by the private sector to embrace this unique investment opportunity.
Yet Nigerian films are so popular on the African continent and amongst the expat community that poorly produced movies can still outcompete major Hollywood Blockbusters. The authentic character, the cultural background and the unique style and story-telling of home movies are unmatched by US dominated productions.
It is easy to see what dramatic impact well produced films could have not just on the Nigerian home market but on an international audience as well. The Nigerian Film Fund (NiFiFu) has been specifically set up as a commercial private sector initiative to work on the production of high-quality films shot on industry-standard high-definition video camera equipment. Films will be shot in the UK, the US and in Nigeria to provide an expressive medium both for Nigerians in the Diaspora and those at home. Africa has many stories to tell. Many of them unheard and untold are waiting to surprise and excite an international audience.
It is just a matter of time before the international film industry wakes up to this challenge. India, another emerging but more mature film industry is a good example of how a successful inductry is attracting outside investment from the likes of Hollywood and Europe. It is not inconceivable that this will also be the fate of the Nigerian Film Industry in years to come and hence investors are well advised to position themselves in this important market. The Nigerian Film Fund (NiFiFu) is the easiest way to invest successfully in the Nigerian Film Industry right now.
''A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.''
David Brinkley