The Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to build film villages in the six geo-political zones of the country.

Vice-President of the association, Mr Bamidele Odule, made the call in an interview  in Lagos.

Odule said that the film villages would boost the entertainment industry.

He said that the only structure named `Ososa Film Village’, built by the Late Chief Hubert Ogunde in Ogun, was no longer functional.

He tsaid that the film village in Ososa was actually designed for the Late Ogunde’s productions.

“It (the film village) is his property. We cannot even call that a film village per say.

“The village contains some buildings built by the late actor. His productions were traditional films.”

Odule suggested that a typical film village should be readily available for production of all films; with guest houses; and should be available for film exhibitions.

He urged the Federal Government to assist in building the film villages.
“We do not have one single functional film village to boost the entertainment industry in the country and this was not good enough, “ Odule said.
He said that building the film village would help in accommodating the entire television crew in the same environment.

“When anybody comes to Nigeria, there is a place he or she can go and say this is a Nollywood village and can get what he or she wants in that place.

“We have been operating from our homes, so we should have a base where we can be located.’’
Odule also said that the establishment of a Nollywood village would help the practitioners and other stakeholders in the industry to meet and take quick decisions.
“It is about reconstructing the destiny of our industry for the youth to benefit from it. People talk about Nollywood but you can’t see it anywhere in the country,” he said. (NAN)