By Joshua Olomu
Stakeholders in the creative sector have called for support for women filmmakers to enable them to contribute effectively to the growth of the industry and promote more inclusive storytelling.
They made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the red-carpet at the premiere of the Nollywood film, “Single and Seasoned” on Tuesday night in Abuja.
”Single and Seasoned”, a production of Dosh Motif Ltd, is an advocacy film against stereotypes towards single career women.
The movie is a production of Crystal Fly Productions, directed by Emmanuel Eyaba, an award-winning Nollywood filmmaker.
The Nollywood masterpiece shot in the Federal Capital Territory is produced by Dooshyma Kumbur, featuring Nazareth Jesse, David Allgreen, Joy Ugbem, Dooshyma Kumbur and Linda Akohol, among others.
According to the stakeholders, there is a need for relevant stakeholders to draw on resources both within and beyond the industry, to equip women filmmakers with funding and technical support to advance their careers.
Hajia Zaliha Yusuf, former National Programme Manager ‘At Risk Children Programme, said there was a need for specific grants and funding programmes for women to promote equality in the film industry.
“Government at all levels, development partners and individuals should support women filmmakers because it’s an industry that more females will want to join to make an impact and create jobs.
“But the challenge of finance and other social concerns is one of their biggest problems.
“I really commend this lady that took up this project for her courage because the film industry is one that is actually dominated by men,” she said.
Hajia Maryam Saliu, said the filmmaking ecosystem has a lot of opportunities for job creation, and therefore called for gender equity to promote more inclusive storytelling.
“I like the courage and determination of the producer of “Single and Seasoned” as a woman, because she believes in hard work.
“She understands that the government alone cannot employ everybody so what can she do to make life better for her and the society, and why support is needed for her and others,”she said.
Earlier, the film producer told NAN that ”Single and Seasoned”, seeks to address societal stereotypes against single career women, in spite of their contributions to families and society at large.
“The movie deals with the dilemma of mature single ladies whose situations are mostly handled as taboo in our society because they are not married.
“They have pressure from family, from church, from their workplaces and even from romantic relationships.
“So we had to put this film together to encourage single ladies that life is beyond getting past 40 and there’s no need to succumb to such pressures,” she said.
According to the producer, the film industry has a lot of career opportunities for teeming unemployed youths, irrespective of gender, adding that stakeholders need to pay adequate attention to the sector.
Emmanuel Eyaba, Director of the film and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), said, besides its entertainment value, the film was an advocacy for respite for career single ladies.
“Single and Seasoned” addresses this wrong perception in society that once a lady is 40 years and above and single, something is wrong with her, and she must be pressured to marry.
“Marriage is good, but if the husbands don’t come, you don’t go out buying husbands or shopping for them.
“You can actually focus on your business or career, and you can still have a successful life, and society should not put undue pressure on single women,” he said. (NAN)