Uche Agbo, the president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), has emphasized the need for more female filmmakers in Nollywood to ensure balanced storytelling. Speaking to SAM ANOKAM, Agbo noted that while filmmakers are filmmakers, gender perspectives influence storytelling, and encouraging more women to direct would enrich the Nigerian film industry.

Agbo, a veteran director and educator, is leveraging his experience running the Abuja Film Academy and Enugu Film Academy to establish the DGN Academy, aimed at training both members and emerging filmmakers. The academy will focus on mentorship, residency programs for women and young talents, workshops across Nigeria, and partnerships with international film schools.

Beyond training, Agbo plans to address industry challenges such as fair remuneration for directors, royalties, and residual income. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining professional ethics on film sets, including tackling sexual harassment while fostering a safe working environment.

On creative initiatives, Agbo spoke about the Coal City Festival, which promotes “Local Stories, Global Scales,” using film as a tool to address societal issues, including youth education on security challenges.

The DGN president also encourages filmmakers to embrace digital platforms like YouTube, noting the vast potential for storytelling and audience engagement outside traditional cinema.

Agbo’s overarching vision is to professionalize Nollywood through structured training, mentorship, and opportunities for female filmmakers, ensuring the next generation of Nigerian filmmakers is skilled, ethical, and inclusive.