The Cross River State Callywood Department has sought a stronger partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council, as part of efforts to promote the state’s film industry, culture, people and achievements through movies and documentaries.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Callywood, Hon. Eric Anderson, made the appeal when he led members of his team on a courtesy and familiarisation visit to the NUJ Secretariat in Calabar.
Anderson explained that although Callywood had existed for years and had been led by two Directors General, the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu was the first to establish it as a full department, with 15 filmmakers appointed to drive its activities.
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He said the department had commenced efforts to build a sustainable film industry in the state, noting that it had trained and certified 212 people in partnership with the Office of the Chairman of the Youth Empowerment Scheme.
According to him, resource persons were drawn from Lagos as well as locally based professionals to equip participants with practical filmmaking skills.
Anderson disclosed that the department was also working towards establishing a Callywood Academy to sustain the training programme and develop a pool of skilled filmmakers and other professionals within the state.
He said Callywood had also initiated partnerships with security agencies and other relevant institutions to facilitate film production and storytelling, particularly stories that reflect Cross River’s history, culture and traditional values.
The Special Adviser said the department was currently in pre-production for its first feature film, titled Crackdown, which focuses on security issues, while another documentary, The Hunters, was also being produced to tell the story of an ageing retired official hunter whose experiences could inspire younger generations.
He stressed that Callywood was not established solely to produce films but would also serve as a platform for showcasing Cross River State to the world.
According to him, the department intends to use films and documentaries to highlight the state’s languages, people, tourist locations, culture and developmental achievements under the Otu administration.
He therefore appealed to the NUJ to partner with the department by helping to amplify its programmes and productions through professional journalism and media platforms.
“We don’t want to wait until the end of the government before we start telling people what is happening in Callywood,” Anderson said, adding that the department would rely on the media to communicate its activities and achievements to a wider audience.
He further disclosed that the department was exploring different revenue streams to make Callywood financially sustainable.
Anderson said it had developed a book on filmmaking, acting and content creation for senior secondary school students, which was undergoing review by the Ministry of Education.
He explained that upon approval, the books would be supplied to secondary schools across the state as part of the department’s revenue generation strategy.
He also revealed plans to invest in movie productions and collaborate with filmmakers by providing platforms for their works while generating revenue through mutually beneficial partnerships.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, congratulated Anderson on his appointment and expressed the council’s readiness to collaborate with Callywood in projecting Cross River State positively.
Bassey described Anderson as a professional with the requisite experience for the position, noting that both of them had roots in Diamond and had studied Theatre Arts.
She said the media had a critical role to play in promoting the programmes and achievements of government, but noted that effective publicity required collaboration between government agencies and journalists.
“If you decide to do your stuff without carrying us along, I don’t chase. When you know our value, when you know our worth and come to us, we are in it with you all the way,” she said.
The NUJ chairman assured the Callywood team that the union would remain available to support initiatives capable of projecting Cross River State and placing it prominently on the global map.
During the interactive session, members of the NUJ raised questions on revenue generation, casting opportunities, inclusion of filmmakers from different parts of the state and the preservation of the history of Callywood.
Responding to concerns about casting, Anderson said Callywood was open to talents from across Cross River State, stressing that the department would create opportunities for local actors and actresses to grow into established stars.
He said plans were underway to extend filmmaking training to the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts of the state, noting that productions would also reflect the diversity of Cross River through films in Efik, Bekwarra and other indigenous languages.
On opportunities for aspiring actors, he urged interested persons to follow Callywood Studios on Facebook and Instagram, where information about training programmes, auditions and casting calls would be published.
Anderson explained that the department used both table casting, based on specific character requirements, and general auditions when roles were opened to the wider public.
He also disclosed plans to establish a Callywood Wall of Fame to preserve the memories and contributions of pioneers and notable figures who had contributed to the growth of the state’s film industry.
The NUJ chairman further advised the Callywood leadership to bring all stakeholders together, irrespective of previous divisions or affiliations, stressing that unity and inclusiveness were essential for the success of the department.
She urged Anderson to build a formidable team by carrying everyone along and avoiding factionalism, noting that unity had contributed significantly to the stability and progress recorded under her leadership of the NUJ.
The visit ended with both parties expressing optimism about deeper collaboration between Callywood and the NUJ in promoting Cross River’s creative industry, culture and development to audiences within and outside Nigeria.
