Abuja- The proprietor of Base Film Academy, Mr Sunday Awoji, has said that the establishment of film academies is fundamental to the growth of the movie industry in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Awoji made the statement on Tuesday while recounting the achievements of the Abuja-based academy in the outgoing year in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
”Over 70 per cent of the members of Actors Guild of Nigeria in the FCT graduated from Base Film Academy, because we train and present the platform for our graduates to showcase their talents,’’ he said.
Awoji said that the academy was determined to discover, groom and empower young talents in the FCT.
“We decided to establish the academy in Abuja to raise upcoming artistes and push them to become the new breeds of Nollywood stars.
“At a point some talented and passionate young boys and girls were rushing to Lagos because they believe that is the only place to see opportunity for growth,’’ he explained.
Awoji, also the Vice President of Association of Movie Producers (AMP) in the FCT, said he was propelled to make Abuja the hub of Nollywood films.
“To be honest with you, Abuja is blessed with so many talents, with little or no opportunity to develop them. Now Base Film Academy is really playing key role in growing the industry here in the FCT.
“Nollywood city is already in Abuja and we are working very hard by showcasing our products to become household names in the industry,’’ he said.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
He said the academy had produced no fewer than 180 graduates in Cinematography, Acting, Directing, Script Writing and related areas since its establishment in 2011.
He said the last batch of graduates for the 2015 programme left in November.
He explained that Paul Sambo, Simeon Iliah, IK Odiase and other popular Nollywood stars in the FCT were products of the academy. (NAN)
