Nigeria’s rich cultural stories can gain wider global acceptance if matched with quality production, professionalism and continuous training, veteran actor, Dr Hafiz Oyetoro, has said.
Oyetoro made the call during a three-day filmmaking workshop organised by American Corner, Ibadan, where he urged emerging filmmakers to prioritise professionalism, continuous training and discipline to compete effectively in the global film industry.
He said Nigerian stories had the potential to attract audiences across the world, but their global appeal would depend largely on the quality of their production.
According to him, the difference between locally produced films and globally successful productions was not necessarily the quality of their storylines, noting that Nigerian filmmakers already had compelling stories rooted in the country’s diverse cultures and experiences.
Rather, he said, technical quality, professionalism and adherence to international production standards were crucial to transforming such stories into globally competitive films.
Oyetoro said, “Every story has the potential to reach a global audience if it is presented with international production standards.”
He stressed that talent alone could not guarantee success in the film industry, urging practitioners to complement their natural abilities with continuous training, discipline and professionalism.
According to him, even talented actors and filmmakers require proper training to understand the technical and professional demands of the industry.
The veteran actor also highlighted the collaborative nature of filmmaking, explaining that successful productions require the contributions of different professionals.
Oyetoro identified the executive producer, producer and director among the key roles involved in filmmaking, stressing that filmmaking should not be viewed as the responsibility of one individual.
He urged participants at the workshop to develop compelling stories, pay close attention to technical details and ensure that their productions meet acceptable international standards.
Oyetoro also encouraged aspiring filmmakers to remain observant and continuously learn from developments in the industry.
He said authentic Nigerian stories could gain international recognition when supported by quality production, adequate training and a strong commitment to excellence.
Earlier, the Director of American Corner, Miss Karamat Ajala, welcomed participants to the three-day workshop and encouraged them to maximise the opportunity by actively participating in the sessions.
Ajala urged participants to network with one another and build meaningful professional relationships that could contribute to their growth and development in the filmmaking industry.
She said the workshop provided an opportunity for emerging filmmakers to acquire knowledge, exchange ideas and establish professional connections that could support their careers.