Forum for Women in Film and Television, (FWIFT) recently held its first formal conference to access the power of film, storytelling in effecting change and development in every community and nation. IFEOMA ONONYE, who was at the event, reports

At the African Creative Market Centre, Landmark Events, where the event took place, notable women, who have achieved great success in their various fields in Film and television a the opportunity to network, speak about various challenges facing the women of today as well as chart the way forward for a better future for women.

The ultimate aim of the epoch gathering of prestigious women was to amplify female voices, broaden the scope of African storytelling, and launch collaborative projects that would expand the reach of African stories worldwide.

Presenting her welcome address, Nollywood legendary actress, Joke Silva, who also serves as President of FWIFT Nigeria, stated that it was time women in the film industry understood that they have the power to influence change and contribute to nation building.

How we arrived here- Sylva

Speaking about the founding of Forum for Women in Film and TV, Joke Silva stated that the Former First Lady of Ekiti state, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, is the Matron for Forum for women in Film and TV.

She explained that Erelu Bisi Fayemi had always been passionate about the Nigerian film industry and funded the first ever gathering, which involved women in the film industry.

“Erelu Bisi Fayemi came to see me in my office many years ago and said, “Sis, I am so passionate about the film industry and I believe in the influence that the film industry can have on nation building”.

She told me, ‘Joke, you are in a powerful industry but how do we influence our nation for the better?’ “As the Founder of African Women’s Development Funds, Mrs Fayemi funded the bringing together a group of women in 2010.

“We brought people from different parts of the world, to talk about the influence that the film industry could have in shaping the tregectory of our nation,” Silva noted.

At a time when the group of women wanted to have the conference again, it was hard to access the necessary funds needed.

In 2019, the convener of African Creative Market, Dr Niya Lawal, encouraged the talented actress on the need to repeat the conference.

Lawal was magnanimous enough to introduce Joke Silva to the international forum called Women in Film and Television and that “she would bring me on board and the rest they say is history.”

Silva further stated that over the years, she has noticed so much that if the women were not in the room, to succeed becomes 13 times more difficult.

She encouraged women to start interrogating years-long stereotypes that are affecting women till date. “Imagine if we have responsible women in positions of power in various fields. That will help make a great impact.

“Women In Film and Television are 10,000 strong organisation of women around the world. That is the body which we belong. Wherever you find yourself in the world, just say you are a member of the Forum for Women in Film and Television, you will get all the assistance that you need.”

She noted that there are three main reasons that made it important for women in Film and TV to gather.

The first reason is to have a safe place to work. A safe place free from any form of sexual harassment. A safe place that is free for all women to dream. And this is right across the value chain.

“Whether you are a director, a producer, or an actor, I want to see more women behind the camera. I want to see more women in continuity because we bring a special view. Women bring a special angle to anything that we do.

“Imagine if we can interrogate the idea of sexual harassment in any form, so that the generality of our people will understand the reason why sexualising a woman is tearing our nation down.

“Imagine if we interrogate the stereotype of the stories in our films. Let’s tell stories in a way that can get rid of age-long stereotypes of women always acting ‘wicked stepmother’ . “My mother was not a wicked stepmother. She was an incredibly loving and caring mother. We don’t even call ourselves step-brothers or sisters.

“We should tell our stories in such a way that it gets more women into politics, into House of Assembly, so that we can have a 50/50 representation. I am tired of seeking for 30 per cent of women in politics because when we make policies against violence against women, another person brings up another policy that counters it,” she said.

Finally, the third reason she saw it important to gather women in Film and television is that she wants all the women to celebrate each other.

“We have done so much over the the years in this industry. Many of us did remarkable jobs in the beginning of this journey, when there was no social media and good equipment. There are a lot that the younger generation can teach the older while the older generation can share wealth of experience with the younger generation. Let us remember that we are a force and working together, celebrating each other. We have the power to influence change, change that can help build the Nigeria of our dreams,” she said.

Fayemi speaks

The Former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, started her keynot speech by saying, “As we are seated here, a parent is going to make up their mind to marry their 15-year old daughter off, so that they can afford to pay for her brother’s education. While we are here, a baby girl is going to have her clitoris cut off in the name of culture and tradition. And over the next 24 hours , a widow is going to be tortured because her husband just died and she is the main suspect. A young girl hawking bread is going to be raped. A wife is going to be battered, may be hospitalised and possibly killed because she displeased her husband.These are the realities of far too many women in our community.”

She noted that many women, who gathered at the conference have portrayed or written about these women and girls in flim and television programmes. She stressed that their contributions were immeasurable and indispensable. They are not only set as role models but as powerful voices for social change. Some have gone ahead from being artistes and performers to actively engaging in philanthropic activities to change the lives of others.

Erelu Fayemi urged the women in Film and television to see the challenges they face in their various fields as an opportunity to build something together, that can not only withstand pressure but also yield dividends that all can benefit from.

We learn a lot from Nolywood- Cameroonian

Speaking on the role of women in shaping the future of film and television, a Cameroonian national and Director, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, praised the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, for a remarkable job done over the years.

She explained that many Cameroonians got to know about Nigeria through Nollywood and this is the power of what film can do in positioning a city, community or nation to the world.

She encouraged the women in Nollywood to take up strategic positions in the film and television industry to change some stereotypes, which have already been formed about women and families in Nigeria.

Eyong charged the women to change the narrative, which often says that women do not like helping women.

“I was lifted up by women and I as well have lifted hundreds of other women. So, stop that narrative that says we women hate each other. That is not true,” she stated.

She also encouraged women to always do the right thing whenever they were given an opportunity from the government, stressing that, “what one does or fails to do can affect others coming behind”.

She explained that the Cameroonian government paid for her to study in United Kingdom and one of the officials was curious to know if she would ever return to Cameroon after her studies.

“I told him I will come back and after my graduation, I kept to my word and came back. That single act of keeping to my words, opened doors for more women to get scholarship and travel abroad,” she affirmed.

The founder and trainer, Strictly Speaking Limited, Bimbo Oloyede, explored the power hidden in collaborations. She noted that coming together of different women with different God given talents and expertise can effectively move things forward more than what an individual can achieve.

Bimbo Oloyede’s power point presentation took many down the memory lane to remember the first women to feature in television. Anike Agbaje-Williams (née Kuforiji) is one of Nigeria’s pioneer newsreaders. She was the first female television staff announcer and broadcaster in Nigeria.

The likes of Nigerian actress, Bukky Ajayi of blessed memory was remembered for the role they played during their time.

Her presentation listed women from the past to present, including female movie producers and media moguls like Mo Abudu, Kemi Adetiba, Funke Akindele, Jade Osiberu, Bolanle Austen-Peters among others, who are doing remarkable works behind the camera

There was a panel discussions with Renown broadcasters and television hosts to share their experiences during time of no social media. Respected broadcasters and Television hosts like, Agatha Amata, Adesuwa Onyenukwe among others were present, fielding questions for young aspiring television personalities.

The Forum for Women in Film and TV conference was indeed a gathering for trailblazer women in the industry over the years. The event had the presence of notable actors, movie producers and television personalities like, Managing Director, The Audrey Silva Company, Mildred Okwo; Actress and producer Kannywood, Mansurah Isa; former Honourable Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; Belinda Yanga, Lillian Amah-Aluko, Mitchell Dede, sports correspondent, Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke; Omowunmi Dada, Uche Macurley and many others.

The conference was impactful, packed with information that inspire and encourage women to strive for the best. Though great strides achieved by women throughout the years were celebrated, there was room to recognise that there were still much work to be done in future as far as creating a better environment for women to grow was concerned.