The Director of the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), Audu Israel, has called for increased government investment and fewer restrictions on filmmakers in Northern Nigeria, saying inadequate funding, limited access to modern equipment and weak institutional support are holding back the region’s film industry.

Israel said the challenges had constrained filmmakers’ creative freedom, reduced their competitiveness and limited the international reach of their productions.

He made the remarks on Monday during a media engagement with journalists in Kaduna, where he urged the Federal Government to develop practical support mechanisms for creative professionals and ensure that existing policies translated into tangible benefits for industry practitioners.

According to him, Nigeria’s film industry relies heavily on private investment, unlike countries such as India, where structured government support has helped the film sector develop and expand its reach.

He argued that the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy should engage more directly with filmmakers, understand their challenges and introduce measures to address them.

Although he acknowledged that the minister was making efforts, Israel said many practitioners were yet to experience a meaningful impact from the government’s interventions.

He noted that professional associations had introduced initiatives, including partnerships with health insurance providers, to support their members but maintained that such efforts could not substitute for sustained government involvement.

The KADIFF director also identified socio-religious restrictions as a major obstacle facing filmmakers in Northern Nigeria, explaining that they often influenced the themes producers could explore and how their work could be presented to broader audiences.

He attributed part of the gap between the Northern and Southern film industries to differences in the freedom available to filmmakers to express themselves and promote their productions internationally.

Israel said the limitations, coupled with insufficient funding and inadequate professional exposure, had made it difficult for Hausa-language films to compete effectively in the global entertainment market.

He lamented that much of the region’s film production remained concentrated on local audiences, with limited representation on international streaming services such as Netflix.

According to him, the technical specifications required by global distribution platforms present another barrier, as many Northern filmmakers cannot afford the cameras and other production equipment needed to meet those standards.

He called for greater investment in modern production facilities, professional training and intellectual property protection to improve the quality, commercial value and international competitiveness of films produced in the region.

Israel also argued that films exploring insecurity and other social problems should be encouraged when they contribute to public awareness and constructive debate, rather than being subjected to unnecessary restrictions.

He urged government agencies, financial institutions, private investors, telecommunications companies and technology firms to support the creative sector, citing its potential to generate employment and stimulate economic growth.

The KADIFF director said the festival would continue to connect filmmakers with investors, policymakers and cultural organisations to create opportunities for the industry and strengthen film production in Kaduna State and Northern Nigeria.