Oyeniran: Right infrastructure to attract big productions to Africa

The Co-Founder of Fan Studios, Femi Oyeniran, believes that building the right infrastructure is vital to attract big film productions to Africa. Speaking to CNBC Africa at the CANEX WKND event in Algeria, Oyeniran emphasized the importance of African governments providing more funding support and tax incentives to nurture the film and television industry on the continent. Oyeniran commended initiatives like the funding made available by Afrexim Bank, stating that it will significantly contribute to supporting the sector in a Pan-African context. Referring to the successful model in the UK, where the British Film Institute administers funding and tax incentives for productions, Oyeniran stressed the need for each national government to explore similar mechanisms. In his efforts to empower young filmmakers, Oyeniran conducted mentorship sessions at CANEX WKND where he helped aspiring creators develop and pitch their scripts to industry professionals. By enhancing their pitching skills, Oyeniran aims to equip these filmmakers to secure financing and realize their projects on a global scale. Addressing the challenges faced by film industry professionals, Oyeniran highlighted the importance of treating filmmaking as a business. He emphasized the need for robust financial planning, audience consideration, and strategic project modeling to increase the chances of project success. Looking ahead, Fan Studios has ambitious projects in the pipeline. Oyeniran revealed plans for 'The Evolution of Black British Music' show, aimed at finding a home in Africa after Netflix UK. Additionally, a third installment of the 'The Intent' movie series is in the works, with intentions to shoot part of it in Nigeria in collaboration with Afrexim Bank. When queried about the dominance of TV series over movies in the UK, Oyeniran explained that the established nature of the television industry attracts talent post a successful film venture. While acknowledging the benefits of TV series in terms of financial opportunities, Oyeniran expressed his commitment to continuing his focus on filmmaking both in the UK and Africa. Reflecting on his experience at CANEX WKND, Oyeniran praised the networking opportunities and the platform it provides for countries to showcase their creative prowess. He expressed optimism for the growth of the event and its alignment with Afrexim Bank's creative industry objectives. In terms of project timelines, Oyeniran indicated plans to shoot 'The Intent Free' next year with support from Afrexim Bank. Additionally, projects in Jamaica and the UK are on the horizon, alongside collaborations with Nigerian talent to further expand his creative endeavors. With a vision to foster the growth of the African film industry, Femi Oyeniran's dedication to empowering young filmmakers and advocating for supportive infrastructure marks a pivotal moment in catalyzing the continent's cinematic landscape.