NIGERIAN FILMMAKERS OBLIGATIONS TO THE SOCIETY

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore the question of filmmakers and their responsibility to the society within the context of the Nigerian film industry. The paper argues that filmmakers have social obligations to the society because of the impact of films on society, the audience for whom the films are made. Situated in the situational ethical theory, the paper further asserts that the way filmmakers understand these obligations can find expression in the types of films that they produce with impacts whether intended or not. Flowing from this, the paper recommends that Nigerian filmmakers must always interrogate the motive behind the films that they make which is capable of bequeathing to the society a new culture. Also, as filmmakers, they must produce films with a conscious awareness that film production carries a social and moral obligation, and this should find expression in film contents so as not to cause harm to society.