By Perekeme Odon
Tribe Nation
Theatrical Distribution (TNTD) paid a courtesy visit to the newly sworn-in
executives of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) on the 28th of July 2023,
to discuss the way forward in ensuring effective and efficient collaboration
that will benefit both parties.
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| (l-r) Lillian Amah-Aluko, Dr Victor Okhai & Anita Edward |
Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution (TNTD) is a mainstream
entertainment company focused on the distribution and marketing of local and
international filmed content, with a distribution network that spans cinema,
inflight entertainment, streaming platforms, and linear television networks
within and outside Africa.
While welcoming
the TNTD members to DGN, the President, reiterated the need for synergy between
TNTD & the guild to achieve common goals. In his word, “We met, we spoke
and what I heard was too good for my ear, but it’s not about what I hear but
for what will benefit the guild. We need to improve our symbiotic relationship
to achieve a common goal and make everyone responsible and add value to the
creative industry,”
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(l-r) Perekeme Odon, Lillian Aluko, Dr Victor Okhai, Anita Edward & Uche Agbo
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In her address,
the TNTD Founder and CEO, Anita Oritsegbubemi Edwards delivered a descriptive
narrative on film distribution, theatrical distribution, film production, film
marketing, film licensing, production values, partnership with the guild and
primed audience on how they can collaborate with DGN by taking away the burden
from the producer and the director.
The TNTD CEO
indicated that Tribe Nation assists producers to review their scripts as not
every story is fit for the theatre or streaming, helps out with their casting
and ensures they produce something fit for the market. TNTD consult for free and does not charge a
dime for talking to producers. As distributors, they look at the money a
filmmaker spends and do not see any existing structure that can furnish you with
your return.
“We are very
humbled to be here to share our vision for our theatrical distribution plans.
Our goal primarily is to create value as we have the production background.
Nigerian films are not cheap and I can tell you from data. We have a movie
coming out in the theatre from a September shot with roughly about N60m. You
have people willing to invest, but how do they guarantee their return on
investment? We have seen producers and directors in good faith go out to make
films that were not made for the market. Part of our partnership with DGN is
training sessions and it’s going to be absolutely free. We’re going to give you
the latest information and it’s going to be a unique opportunity that DGN
members would have access to.”
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| A Group Session of Tribe Nation & DGN Members |
She further
stated that “If you do distribution well, if your producer fails, you fail. We
can't pay salaries if you take a movie to a theatre that doesn’t sell. That’s
not something we are interested in doing.
“As your
distributor, it’s very demoralizing to tell your client you can’t make your
money back. Most clients have failed due to bad financial decisions. So for
that dream to be feasible, we need to be part of the creation of it.” She
stated.
The Head,
Co-Production & Special Events Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Tribe
Nation Theatrical Distribution, Lillian Amah-Aluko appreciated the President of
DGN for receiving the team and reiterated the guild’s partnership with TNTD to
advance the creative works of members of the guild in the Nigerian movie
industry. She appealed for a better synergy between the two organizations,
particularly in the training and distribution of members’ films through their
platforms. She also advised filmmakers
on having a business plan and to always vet their scripts no matter how
passionate they are about the stories.
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(l-r) Kingsley Omoefe, Uche Agbo & Chuks Ejiofor
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“A robust
relationship between TNTD and DGN will go a long way to enhance access to
creativity. We understand filmmakers’
passion for their stories, but at Tribe Nation, we always discuss and critique
every script, rework it and fix the challenges before they hit location. A lot
of clients are now becoming comfortable and interested in the idea due to the
process and stages in fixing their scripts, coupled with making them a business
plan to outline and know how much profit they can get on their return on
investment in the future.”
She thanked the
DGN for their creative prowess and advised filmmakers never to relent but to
keep making films, even if they hit and miss. “We can continue the way we’re
going. Keep making films, hit and miss. I’ve made my share of mistakes. It’s
not because your story is not a good story, or you didn’t film it well. But
different platforms are looking for different elements. If we want a difference
in production, we need to sit down and do things differently. DGN is the
primary guild for creativity and the home of the greatest directors this
country has. There is a lot of creative energy in the room that is why we are
here for partnership with the guild.” She declared.
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(l-r) Dr. Tony Akposheri, Lillian Aluko, Anita Edward & Perekeme Odon
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In her closing
remark, Anita Edward appealed to filmmakers to embrace knowledge and always be
cautious and real before embarking on any project. She also advised the guild
to look into the academic creative spaces to sieve out young talent who are
eager to go into filmmaking. “A lot of
creative despise knowledge. They love to dream, but they don’t want to know.
Assumptions are dangerous when you’re dealing with people’s money. We deal with
a highly capitalistic market where creativity ends on set, and after that,
everyone is in the jungle. The guilds must rise to the occasion to influence
laws enacted that would protect the interest of the guild members. If you think
like a victim, you will always be a victim.”
In his response,
the DGN President expressed the commitment of DGN towards a better working
relationship with TNTD and assured them of taking the visit a lot further by
partnering with the guild since there is no emotion in the business of
filmmaking and also thanked them for their willingness to train our members
professionally. He promised to make his members know about TNTD and their
intentions to the guild.
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(l-r) Stanley Ajalaja, Dr Peter Fada, & Kingsley Omoefe
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“There are no two
standards in filmmaking, and it’s not an excuse to dump your baggage because
you’re partnering with anybody. I think from what we’ve heard, we can see the
willingness to partner with them in getting our members to consider them as a
choice platform for distribution, both locally and globally. I want to also
thank you for considering training our members to help them know those things
that are required and help us in a better position to win almost every time
whenever we go to the marketplace.” He affirmed.
It will also
interest you to know that, Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution (TNTD) is an
entertainment company focused on the distribution and marketing of local and
international filmed content. Their distribution network spans cinema, inflight
entertainment, streaming platforms, and linear television networks within and
outside Africa. They also produce commercial filmed content and are committed
to becoming the leading global supplier of wholesome feel-good entertainment.
DGN Vice
President, Mr Uchenna Agbo, and National Secretary, Mr Perekeme Odon witnessed
the occasion.
Other guild
members and filmmakers present are Mr Kingsley Omoefe, Dr Tony Akposheri, Dr
Peter Fada Osiughu, Mr Chukwudi Ejiofor, Mr Stanley Stanfame Ajalaja, and Mr
Cosmas O. Abasi
