Kene Mkparu, Managing Director Filmhouse Cinemas and FilmOne Distribution Company, granted an interview to Russell Southwood’s Smart Monkey TV. Russell, I notice, does these interviews with leading names in Africa, collects the data and information and infuses it into compelling research studies affecting Nigeria/Africa’s entertainment market. Not a bad look Russell.
Anyway, back to Kene Mkparu. Here are the highlights from his interview with Russell Southwood:
1. He was operating another cinema company for a year and decided with a few colleagues to launch the Film House venture.
2. Funding came through the Federal government’s entertainment intervention fund. His company was the first to receive funds from the intervention fund. He says the money was a lot but does not disclose the amount.
3. The intervention fund helped him to open four cinemas in seventeen months. He also received money from Nexim Bank.
4. He hopes to open another 5 cinemas soon. Ultimately he is looking to open 5-6 cinemas in four years.
5. Right now, 65% of films distributed in Nigerian cinemas are American movies. 30% are local movies and the other 5% are Bollywood films.
6. Top Nigerian films are making 20million Naira. Nigerian filmmakers now see cinema as a very profitable platform for them. However, there are too many films.
7. Half of a Yellow Sun will open in future. Film house is only cinema that is 80% that is fully digital. Their nearest competitor is about 35%. All of their cinemas have 3D, among other achievements.
8. He wants to build cinemas in dollar house locations across Nigeria and has a passion for that. He believes they will launch the first one very early 2015.
Good look Kene. I like people who have a passion for what they do and pursue it like their lives depended on it.
-Uduak
