Main Article Content
Abstract
This study examined whether functional literature orientation (FLO), the belief that literature should serve social and developmental ends, and elitist conservatism (EC), a disposition to guard canonical literature against popular reinterpretation, predict support for the emerging film industry (FIS) in Enugu. Anchored in Bourdieu’s field of cultural production and in uses and gratifications theory, a cross-sectional survey drew 384 respondents by proportionate stratified random sampling from literature lecturers and students, film practitioners, and audiences. A 17-item instrument was reliable (Cronbach’s α = .86 for each scale). Hierarchical regression showed that FLO positively predicted FIS (β = .42, p < .001, f² = .21) and EC negatively predicted FIS (β = −.13, p = .006, f² = .02), adding 22.2 percent of variance beyond demographic controls. EC did not moderate the FLO to FIS link (β = −.06, p = .184). Literature-affiliated respondents reported higher EC (η² = .05). Presenting film as an extension of literature’s social mission is a stronger lever than confronting elitist attitudes directly.