The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on Sunday, outlined the technical specifications that must be met before a movie could be showcased in cinemas across the nation.
Mr Patrick Lee, National Chairman of CEAN, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos.
Lee said that the technical specifications had to do with the quality of sound, picture production, sub-titling, content, storyline of the movies and more.
He noted that any movie that must be exhibited in cinemas, must have good sound and picture quality, beautiful storyline and the sub-titling, must be meticulously done.
According to him, the Bollywood and Hollywood movies usually met the technical specifications with good quality pictures and sounds, adding that currently more Nollywood movies were also meeting those specifications.
“We give out the list of the technical specifications, which has to do with Nollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood movies to the public and movie producers.
“Netflix uses the same standard that we use and DSTV is also improving on their standards.
“When the technical specifications are met, then we look at the storyline, content, actors that are featured and more,” he said.
Lee noted that the content of a movie to be showcased in cinemas, must also support the rules and regulations of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
According to him, movies that contained homosexual content, smoking or drugs, which are against the rules of the nation, were not acceptable.
“In selecting movies to be shown in cinemas, we take into consideration the rules and regulations that operates in the country, within the purview of the NFVCB.
“We reject horror movies because they don’t sell, unlike the romantic comedy and action movies, that are highly marketable, so the type of movie also matter.
“Not all movies are meant for the cinemas, some are for the television, while some others, are for streaming platforms.
” In all selection, we are mindful of the regulations that guide the censors’ board, if any movie goes against the dictates of the board, we don’t accept such movies,” he said.
Lee further stated that cinemas across the nation had been very strategic with the kind of movies to be shown, because of the limited number of screens available across the nation.
He explained that Nigeria cannot be compared to the United Kingdom, where they had over 4,000 screens as against Nigeria’s 300 screens.
He said that not all Hollywood movies released were accepted in Nigeria because they are not all commercially viable in cinemas due to weak content.
“There is huge content coming from Bollywood, but it has a small market here in Nigeria, the market is specific to certain areas of the nation, where the Indian communities are present.
“Such are, Ibadan in Oyo and Victoria Island and Lekki areas of Lagos. There, we have the Indians, usually coming out to support their movies,” he said.
