For Nigerian documentary filmmakers, accessing archival materials remains a costly and challenging task, often hindering storytelling and historical exploration. Yusuf Ishaya’s research for FESTAC 77: Exploration of Heritage highlighted these obstacles, as he struggled for months to obtain rare footage from the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, only succeeding days before his deadline. The problem extends beyond national borders, as filmmakers must also negotiate with foreign institutions such as the British Film Institute, which charges exorbitant rates for colonial-era footage. These systemic barriers not only stifle artistic expression but also limit the public’s ability to engage with its own history. These filmmakers are now calling for government partnership and institutional reform to democratize access, arguing that preserving and sharing these visual records is vital for national memory and education.
Okay Africa
