Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

Theatrical works, especially films have been one of the major social agents for change. Many a times, people watch films, not just as pass time activity but because there is need for them to acquaint themselves with relevant information concerning their immediate environment. Hence the general belief that film is not just an entertainment medium but also an information and educational medium that offers its target audience new ideas and orientation. Community screening is organized by individuals and groups with relevant information to pass across to a defined audience. In the same way, in film festivals, the audiences are meant to select the kind of movies they want to watch and stand by for other sessions like questions and answerssessions, interviews, etc. This strategy of bringing the audience closer to the production team is what makes the entire presentation real. The problem of the study is that despite the rich cultural heritage that Onitsha people enjoy, there is a part that they have been lagging behind. And that is the area of using film screenings and festivals to influence the populace. Therefore, the aim of this work is to conscientize those in the film producers, marketers and distributors on the need to screen their films in semi urban centers to enable the viewers to watch and learn moral lessons embedded in their films for the overall good of the populace. This work is based on Peter Brook's Empty Space Theory which states that any empty space can become a stage for a performative act. The research process employs the survey approach of the qualitative research methodology for the realization of the research objectives. Focused group discussion was used to analyze the data. The result of the findings show that The neglect of community film screenings and festivals in Onitsha is a multifaceted issue influenced by economic, infrastructural, cultural, promotional, security, and technological factors. The work recommends that concerted efforts is needed from local authorities, cultural organizations, and the private sector to invest in infrastructure, promote cultural diversity, and provide financial and logistical support to reinvigorate the local film industry.

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