Contrary to the rumour making the rounds that the multimillion dollar flick, Half of a Yellow Sun, has been banned, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has said there is no iota of truth in the reports.
Shareman Media, the Nigerian producers and FilmOne Distribution, the Nigerian distributors of the feature film, had earlier announced Friday, April 25 as the release date of the movie.
However, the rumour mill, a few hours before the scheduled release date, claimed the Board had banned the producers from releasing the movie for public consumption, a situation that generated mixed reactions from different quarters.
In a release, Caesar, O. Kagho, Acting Head, Corporate Affairs, NFVCB, said: “We wish to categorically state that there is no truth in the media reports that the Board has banned the film.
“The management of the Board, under Ms. Patricia Bala, has stated that certain aspects of the film have some unresolved issues that have to be sorted out in accordance with the law and laid down regulations.
“The Board, therefore, wishes to re-affirm its determination to continue to execute its mandate.”
Meanwhile, both the Nigerian producers and distributors of the feature film have said that “ The highly anticipated release of Half of A Yellow Sun has been postponed due to delay in obtaining certification from the National Film and Video Censors Board for the public release of the film. Subject to obtaining the certification of the Board, the film is now re-scheduled for release on Friday, May 2.”
Half of a Yellow Sun is a 2013 Nigerian drama film directed by Biyi Bandele. It is a love story, involving two sisters who are caught up in the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war.
It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Genevieve Nnaji, Onyeka Onwenu, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, OC Ukeji and John Boyega, among others.
Tag: NFVCB
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Half of a Yellow Sun not banned -NFVCB
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Only 74 films got our approval in March, says Censors Board
In its effort to foster the archive tradition, and sensitise the public on the influx of uncensored movies, the National Film and Video Censors (NFVCB), has announced that only 74 films were approved for the month of March.
In a statement released to the public yesterday, the Film Censorship and Classification Department (FCCD) of the agency revealed that out of the 74 films, 40 were classified ‘15’ while 34 were classified ‘18’.
The record also shows that movies in English language top the chart last month with 23 releases, while 27 were in Yoruba. Others include Hausa (19), Bini (4) and Urhobo (1).
According to the statement, “the 40 movies clarified ‘15’ include Visitor (English), Adebimpe (Yoruba), Dan Tasi (Hausa), Owena (Urhobo), Ovibiagikpa (Bini), Tijo Terin (Yoruba), Ulaaka (English), Jini Daya (Hausa), and Little Calabash (English).
“The 34 movies classified ‘18’ include Succubus (English), Owo Agbara (Yoruba), Akin kishi (Hausa),” (Bini), and Fiscal Explosion (English).
For movies classified ‘15’, the FCCD said the consumer are advised to note that the movies possess imitable technique, strong language, violence, ritual and fetish rituals, while movies with the ‘18’ tag contain fetish practice, imitable technique, violence, and strong language.
Other films approved for that month are Wutar kara (Hausa), Never Again (English), Olewu (Yoruba), Iredia Ube Haly (Bini), Malami Mata (Hausa), Joshua of the State (English) Tijo Terin (Yoruba), Ema muo (Bini), Emere (Yoruba), Fansa (Hausa), and Accident (English).
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Censors Board seeks police support
THE Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Ms. Patricia Bala, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), M.D Abubakar, to provide a special police unit at the Abuja headquarters of the Board.
Bala, who made this plea during a courtesy call on Abubakar at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja said, “The Police unit will enhance the operational, monitoring and intelligence activities of the NFVCB in the course of carrying out its mandate of regulating the film and video industry in the country.”
The NFVCB boss had earlier called for collaboration between the Board and the Nigeria Police for effective monitoring, enforcement and prosecution of defaulters in the six zonal offices of the Board across the country.
Bala has often lamented the influx of uncensored and illegal movies in the Nigerian market. According to her, “We decided to come to your organization so that we can work together because we don’t have the materials for enforcement. But you have all it takes to enforce the law. So, we need to collaborate to enforce because what goes out there can affect national security. Film is entertainment with educational value, but it can be very explosive,” she explained.
Abubakar, who expressed worry about the contents of some Nollywood films, pledged his unalloyed support for the film agency, saying: “Let’s go beyond paper and work as a team. Let us have a partnership that works.”
He, however, urged Bala to create more awareness on the Board’s regulations to the public, saying this would enable people to respect the laws.
Bala’s visit is part of her efforts to re-position the Board towards a better service delivery.
Recently, the NFVCB called for partnership with courts in Abuja to ensure that prosecution of offenders is done without delay.
At a meeting with the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Hon. I.M. Bukar, Bala had also asked for the setting up of a mobile court.
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Withdraw illegal movies from market, Benue filmmakers warned
IN a renewed crack-down on illegal filmmakers, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has given filmmakers in Benue State a three-month ultimatum to withdraw all uncensored movies from the market or face the wrath of the law.
Director-General of the Board, Ms. Patricia Bala, sounded this warning at the
end of a three-day Road Show which held recently in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital.
The NFVCB boss said she “observed with dismay the profusion of illegal movies in Makurdi, most especially the wrong usage of the long obsolete logo and classification symbols of the Board.”
She said during the interactive session with filmmaker and actors at the Joseph Tarka Foundation that “the ultimatum expires in March 2014, stating that it is in the interest of the movie makers to either withdraw the movies from the market or present them to the Board for the formal censorship and classification.
On what action the NFVCB is taking to track down film producers who stream uncensored movies on the internet, the Director-General said the Board has been collaborating with sister agencies to contend the situation.
According to her, “Regulating online distribution of films presents an enormous challenge because of the nature of the internet. Internet activities cut across territorial boundaries and as such it is difficult to regulate even for developed nations that have a greater degree of technology. However, the NFVCB, will synergise with relevant authorities with a view to curbing the distribution of unapproved films”.
The Road Show began with a four-hour rally in tree-lined Makurdi metropolis from the sprawling J.S. Tarka Foundation through High Level, Wadata, Government House, Wurukum, Gboko Road and North Bank Street. Staff of the Board, backed by Tar Ukoh’s Mambissa dance troupe positioned on two trucks, trekked the long distance, distributing hand bills and flyers bearing enlightening literature on the
Board’s activities.
Several papers were presented, while locally-produced films were screened during the Road Show.
The programme was chaired by Professor Illah Egwugwu Sani of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Jos (UNIJOS), who delivered a paper on “Indigenous Language Movies and Contemporary Challenges”. Other papers presented are: “Film Censorship and Classification Regulation and Compliance” by Mrs. Lizzy Uwaezuoke, FCAI, Zonal Co-ordinator, (South-East), NFVCB; Dr. Adekola Okloba, Theatre Arts Department, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) on “Ethics and Values of Indigenous Language in Nigerian Film and Video Production”; Danjuma .W. Dadu, Ph.D, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Jos, on “Film and Movie Production: Ethics, Values and Cultural Influence” ; Dr Teddy Hanmakyugh, National Film Institute, Jos, on “Appreciating the Technical Environment in Film/Video Production; a sine qua non for quality production”; and Mr. Cornel .A. Agim, former DD (LDD) now DD(Ops) NFVCB, on Distribution and Marketing of movies “Rights, Obligation and Regulations”.
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Film in exile: A sequel
BEYOND entertainment, filmmaking is a form of expression. But I see it occupying a unique place as one of the most potent tools of activism. This is so, because while expressions in books require that you attain some level of literacy, audio materials in whatever language appeal to MORE people, but even when you kill the voice in an audio-visual material, the motion picture appeals to MOST people. In other words, more people are accessible to the motion picture medium than other forms of communication.
Since freedom of expression is the nucleus of a free society and democracy that the world craves, the medium of film cannot be underestimated, not just because of its far-reaching advantage, but for its visual testimonial and subtle appeal.
I am inspired lately by the brief ban of a South African film entitled Of Good Report and others like it, which have been outlawed by the government of their countries of origin, but which have found asylum in notable film festivals in the world.
I say this against the backdrop of a similar case in Nigeria wherein the documentary, Fuelling Poverty by Ishaya Bako was banned, and the filmmaker, from threat he received, appeared to have ostracized himself alongside his work.
The film, a 30-minute documentary, portrays the massive poverty in Nigeria and advocates against corruption and greed in the country. Released in 2012 by the filmmaker, in partnership with the Open Society for West Africa (OSIWA), the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) prohibited the distribution and exhibition of the documentary in Nigeria, saying its contents are highly provocative and likely to incite or encourage public disorder and undermine national security.
The young filmmaker uses gripping voice of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka in analysing the trend and a critical sound track by Afrobeat King Femi Kuti. He weaves his thoughts around the monumental Occupy Nigeria protest on the oil subsidy scam and the general culture of corruption and greed in Nigeria.
Although critics see the ban of the film as an evidence of Nigeria’s creeping departure from the democracy we loudly pronounce, and feel the filmmaker should stand his ground, Bako, it seems is so scared to make an appeal let alone a noise.
The letter, purportedly signed by the NFVCB’s Head of Legal Services, Effiong Inwang, warned the filmmaker against violating the order, saying “all relevant national security agencies are on the alert. A copy of this letter has been sent to the Director General, Department of State Services and the Inspector General of Police for their information.”
But unlike Bako, Jahmil XT Qubeka, the director of Of Good Report did not only push on with the screening of his film at the last Toronto International Film Festival and now, at the ongoing Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Calabar, he had claimed for damages allegedly caused by the Film and Publication Board (FPB) of South Africa’s assertion that the movie contained child pornography, slapping them with a 28million Rand suit.
Although Qubeka agreed that child pornography should be banned, he argued that Of Good Report is “making an indictment… For teenagers, this is a horror film. I want kids, particularly girls, to watch this and I want to scare them.”
The movie’s plot revolves around a small-town school where a predatory teacher, Parker Sithole (played by Mothusi Magano) begins an obsessive affair with a 16-year-old student Nolitha, played by 23-year-old actress Petronella Tshuma.
Reflecting on the effects of the ban, he said: “I’m not sad for me. This has turned me into a superstar. My life has changed in a week. I’ve been in Variety magazine… three times. What I am sad for is my nation because my nation was refused the right to see the film.”
But the ban was soon overturned by the Board’s appeal tribunal and Of Good Report was released in S/African cinemas on August 6, with a rating of 16VSN. Qubeka was also during the DIFF in June honoured with an award for artistic bravery, but he is still pained by initial decision of the FPB, saying that being associated with child pornography is “a death to one’s career”.
The principle of art is not all about the decorative crafts that we cherish. Perhaps that used to be the case before the renaissance of the 14th and 16th centuries. Today, it has a revolution of life ignited by activism; I see it as divinely-inspired creativity and in certain cases, an artist’s work becomes the object or subject of special pilgrimage and center of reverences.
At the 32nd edition of DIFF, an Indian filmmaker, Leena Manimekelai brought her film; The Dead Sea, which suffered similar fate in her country. The flick, a blend of fiction and documentary protests against injustice and ethnicity and was considered prodigal by the Indian government. Even when there was a prolong court case on the issue, the movie continued to find expression at film festivals.
I find a particular line most captivating in the movie and I thought I could share it with you; it reads: “I have always advocated that the people be armed, but now, I am convinced that not only the people, but the government should be disarmed”.
In the same vein, Iranian filmmaker, Jafar Panahi was indicted. He even suffered a worse situation; not only was his film outlawed by the government of his country, he was committed to six years prison term and 20 years ban from filmmaking by the Iranian government for attempted to explore the social situation in his homeland through a movie that appealed to the Iranian government as state offence.
Although convicted, Panahi has been celebrated world over for what he stands for. This included being invited to the International Jury of the Berlin Film Festival as a way of celebrating the artiste and protesting his incarceration.
Where is the Nollywood activist filmmaker?
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Why we’re partnering HomeVida —Censors Board DG
DIRECTOR General of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Ms Patricia Bala has said the reason her agency is partnering with the Home Video Integrity Award (HomeVida) initiative, is because they share goals of domestic prosperity and global relevance for the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The Board, whose job is to protect a credible film culture through censorship and classification, was a pioneering partner of the award show when it started in Abuja, four years ago. Bala noted that “NFVCB, through its consistency, has encouraged the new initiative, and also urge existing and potential partners to jump on this ship loaded with opportunities.”
She said the organizers of Homevida have proved that the initiative is worthwhile, by responding positively and pursued the Federal Government Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiative to good effect.
“We want to note that Homevida has also responded to the different challenges inherent in breathing life into this initiative and has been able to bring reputable organizations to partner with it and help create the necessary platform for the realization of the objective of the programme. In the light of the above, agencies such as United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC), United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and DSTV are all partners and sponsors.
“This programme has provided film development assistance to so many young and budding film makers in Nigeria and has played a significant role in the fight against poverty, drugs and corruption.
In the Feature Films category, which centers on the human development themes, Elvis Chuks came tops with the flick; Victims of the Society. Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul (KAP)’s Married but Living Single clinched the coveted prize in the Family Friendly Film category, while in the Faith Film category, Save Our Souls two movies were shortlisted: A wish and Save Our Souls by Oby Edozien was adjudged winner.
Each of the winners in this category was rewarded with one million naira cash prize by the organizers.
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HomeVida 2013: Elvis Chuks, Oby Edozien, Kalejaiye Paul shine
IT was a glitzy evening on Tuesday, December 10, when the fourth edition of the Nigeria Integrity Film Awards (HomeVida), an initiative of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), held with pomp and circumstance at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
For Mr. Chibuzo Ekwekwuo, coordinator of the PPDC, it was time again to celebrate and reward excellence in Nollywood, while calling on practitioners to deploy their creative energies to produce films that can engender socio-cultural change.
Themed “Providing incentive for Nigeria filmmakers to mainstream integrity value in their films”, the 2013 HomeVida started with a cocktail where some stakeholders, after being welcomed by Ekwekwuo, met minds on burning issues in the industry.
At the colourful event anchored by handsome Joseph Benjamin, an actor and master of ceremonies, Ms. Patricia Bala, Director-General, National Films and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), said, “Through those years, HomeVida has responded positively and embraced the Federal Government’s private public partnership initiative to good effect.”
According to her, the programme has also provided film development assistance to several young and emerging filmmakers in Nigeria, while also playing a significant role in the war against social menace such as poverty, drugs and corruption.
Also, in her goodwill message on the occasion, the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission( SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, said, “Since 2010, HomeVida has served as a unique platform for the promotion of creative excellence, especially among young people, while advancing the positive image of our dear Nollywood, internationally.”
Arunma, who was represented by Cynthia Ogodo, expressed the readiness of the Commission to continue to partner with the Nigerian film industry “in furtherance of our financial literacy and financial inclusion goals.”
For Mr. Charles Abugre Akelyira, Regional Director, Africa, United Nations Millennium Campaign, the 2013 HomeVida was unique in the sense that it featured the introduction of a unique partnership between UNMC and PPDC/ HomeVida, a situation that was responsible for the Campaign to endow a prize for the film that best promotes the value of human development and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Speaking through Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, UNMC Country Representative, he said, “Today, Nigerian movies are not only entertaining the continent and Africans in the Diaspora, they are also shaping our values and telling our unique stories to the entire globe. It is this attribute of the African movie industry exemplified by Nollywood that UNMC is working with PPDC and HomeVida to promote movies that project values of human development.”
The event, which was spiced with electrifying music interlude by award-winning act, M1, began to climax first with the premier of short films made from winning entries in the HomeVida 2013 Short Script Competition and presentation of prizes to winners. Immediately after, all eyes turned to Frances Okeke, who won in the Public Probity Film category with her script titled “The Aviation Man”. After she left the podium, it was the turn of Ebuka Njoku whose creativity was acknowledged with her work, Bola’s Dirge, which won in the Human Development Value endowed by the United Nations Millennium Campaign. Interestingly, when Ogbomwen Adeyinka Edward was called up to receive his prize as the winner in the Investment Market Film with his work, Mutual Benefit, the hall also saluted his creativity. Each of the winners went home with a cash prize of N100, 000(One hundred thousand naira only).
It appeared the audience was on the edge of their seats during the announcement of winning entries and presentation of HomeVida 2013 Feature Films awards. The short-listed feature films in the Human Development Film Prize category was hotly contested for by producers of Cindy’s Notes and Victims of the Society. But the tiara was adjudged to fit only the head of Kelvin Chuks, the producer of Victims of the Society. In the Family Friendly Film category, the shortlisted films were Two Brides and A Baby and Married but Living Single. However, Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul (KAP) the producer of Married but Living Single clinched the coveted prize. Also, in the Faith Film category, two movies were shortlisted: A wish and Save Our Souls. It was, however, Oby Edozien-Alex O’s day of glory as her movie, Save Our Souls was adjudged the winner.
Each of the winners in this category was rewarded with one million cash prize by the organizers.
“HomeVida, according to the initiator, “is a film award platform driving creative messaging on integrity and value change through FILM to Nigerian and African audiences. The platform also provides incentives for talented Nigerian filmmakers to mainstream integrity values in their films. HomeVida hopes to expand to capture filmmakers across Africa.”
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Gabosky tackles distribution nightmare in Nollywood
A new effort at tackling the challenges of film distribution in the Nigerian motion picture industry, otherwise called Nollywood, was unveiled Monday. Championed by G-Media, a production, distribution and marketing company, owned by Chief Gab Okoye aka Gabosky, the initiative, is leveraging on acquired Federal Government loans and grants to establish structures in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The capital intensive project is expected to make Nigerian films and related intellectual property products available and auditable, thereby closing the gap that pirates have filled all the years.
A respected Nollywood marketer, Chief Okoye, noted for one of the earliest Nollywood films; Battle of Musanga and Nneka the Pretty Serpent, is railroading what experts say is the much-anticipated watershed in the annals of Nollywood.
Speaking at the unveiling and special presentation of the project to practitioners and regulatory agencies, including the National Film and Censors’ Board (NFVCB), proponents of the National Distribution and Exhibition Framework (NDEF), the G-Media boss noted that “the problem with Nollywood started because we did not build on the momentum that Nollywood gathered after its birth. We were too amazed by the phenomenon that we failed to realise the need for real structures that would ensure that the success would last for a long time. It is time to put things right and that is what we are doing with G-media.”
Distribution has often been identified as the major problem with Nollywood, prompting the Federal Ministry of Finance to allocate about 50 per cent of the Federal Government N3 billion Nollywood grant towards distribution infrastructure.
It has been argued that due to the absence of proper distribution platforms across the country and dearth of cinemas, piracy has thrived at a globally unprecedented 82 per cent penetration.
According to Gobasky, “we have worked hard for many years to put this distribution platform together so that our people can enjoy the movies they have always loved without having to go through hassles to get them.”
While many have argued that the Federal Government’s loans and grants have been difficult to access, Gagosky’s testimony follows that of Tony Abulu, who got money from Nigerian Export and Import (NEXIM) Bank to shoot Doctor Bello and Kene Mparu, who got the FilmHouse franchise and secured a loan with Bank of Industry (BoI) to establish cinemas in some parts of the country, Gabosky’s feat is certainly the biggest so far.
“The G-media distribution stands on firm ground with support from the bank of industry, FCMB and additional funding from the $200 fund for the creative industry, an initiative of the Federal Government under the Ministry of Finance,” Okoye said.
He said the first phase of G-media distribution project would commence in January 2014 with 25 stores spread across the nation, 30 regional distributors as well as 4,000 community stores.
“It will also leverage on a state of the art web portal system to link all distributors and major stake holders to the central system for sales and statistical information as well as transparency of the system,” he said.
He urged filmmakers, who have quit due to piracy, to avail themselves with opportunities provided by the new dawn.
“One of the results of the distribution problems of Nollywood has been the withdrawal of some of the best hands that gave Nollywood its early success from the movie scene. When sales dropped drastically and less capable hands become the leaders of the industry, many major producers and directors thought it best to stay away from the rot. It is important for the old hands to come back and join the new ones for a truly dynamic industry. Our promise to them is that we will get their movies to the buyer wherever they may be,” Gabosky assured.
He said the G-Media stores will commence operation, with the distribution of Biyi Bandele’s Half of a Yellow Sun, Mahmood Ali-Balogun’s Tango with Me and Charles Novia’s Alan Poser, among others.
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Coast clear for new Censors Board boss
…Lists importation of pornographic movies, others as priorityThe question had arose in some quarters of the film industry on whether the confirmation of Ms Patricia Bala, as new Director General of of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), was backdated to August 2012, the date she started off in acting capacity. But confirming to the press, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the board’s Deputy Director/Head Corporate Affairs, said Bala’s confirmation took effect from September 13 and would span a period of four years. “This was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim,” he stated.Ms Bala, it would be recalled, took over from Mr. Emeka Mba in August 2012, as the most senior Director in NFVCB, following the expiration of the latter’s tenure. She had served in acting capacity for one year, before her appointment was confirmed as the board’s substantive Director General.An elated Ms Bala, according to Abdullahi, has promised to address the concern in the movie industry by providing leadership and building bridges between the stakeholders and board.Abdullahi said the issues of growing concern to the board are the illegal importation of pornographic movies from abroad, selling and rental of uncensored movies. He noted that his Director General has also promised to review and carry out an objective evaluation of the effectiveness of some of the board’s initiatives and schemes like the distribution framework, media literacy programme and the Shared responsibility project. The review will help the Board formulate a strategic plan for growth and future of the movie industry in Nigeria.Bala was born in Garkawa, Mikang LGA of Plateau State. She attended Our Lady of Fatima Convent School, Saint Louis College all in Jos before proceeding to the School of Basic Studies Zaria for her ‘A’ Levels. She graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a BA Hons in drama in 1978. She has attended several international courses including Television production techniques for drama from the Ohio University, United States.The new NFVCB boss also Participated in Film ,Governance and Society: Red tape and Celluloid at the Public Administration Institute in United Kingdom. -
FG grant causes stir in actors guild
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) appeared divided over the N3 billion grant released by the Federal Government to assist the movie industry in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state chairmen of the guild met in Abuja on July 18 on the modalities to adopt in disbursing the grants.
The National Chairman and Secretary of the guild, Messrs. Agility Onwurah and Samuel Onibiyo, however, in separate interviews with NAN, accused some practitioners of wanting to divert the grant.
Onwurah accused some known movie producers of making moves to divert the grant for their use while leaving the upcoming artists behind.
He said some were making surreptitious move of getting the money all alone, and that portended a great danger for those who are coming up.”
“While practitioners suffered lack of funds and humiliation in the quest of producing films, some people were working to ensure that the guild remained static,” he alleged.
He said that the chairmen had resolved that the grant be used on production and distribution of movies.
The national chairman said they had paid a visit to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and briefed them on the moves by some reputable producers trying to divert the grants for their use.