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Written by Joshua Orom
Stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry have called on the Federal and FCT administrations to support the Abuja International Film Festival (AIIF), which has been operating as Nigeria’s premier film festival for 21 years.
They made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the red carpet of the opening ceremony of the 21st AIFF held at Silverbird Galleria, Abuja.
This year’s AIFF theme is “Beyond Borders: Bridging Cultures through Film.”
Held from October 28th to November 1st, it attracts actors, filmmakers, regulators and other film professionals from around the world.
Officials say film festivals play a vital role in the growth of all cultural and creative industries, as they serve as a platform to showcase opportunities and attract investors.
They said AIFF, a private initiative, has successfully attracted filmmakers, actors and investors from all over the world over the past two decades and turned the FCT into a tourist attraction.
They said the federal government and FCT leadership should work with the AIFF to make the tourism, cultural and creative sectors a key driver of the economy.
Emmanuel Eyaba, a film director and former Chairman of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) FCT Chapter, said AIFF should be supported as it had made Abuja a hub for film production.
“The fact is that Abuja is the next hub for film production and if we need to take it to the next level, the government needs to pay more attention to this film festival.
“AIFF is one of the most important film festivals in Africa and has managed to survive for 21 years.
“I think it’s very important to continue holding festivals like this in order to grow the film industry,” he said.
Also, legendary actor Zak Orji said AIFF should be treated as a national asset as it has evolved to be a connecting point between Nollywood and other industries around the world.
“This festival is a place for Nigerian filmmakers to connect with filmmakers from other parts of the world for international filmmaking and what they want to achieve internationally in the industry.
“Filmmakers from different countries have the opportunity to come to Nigeria to screen their films, meet colleagues, arrange various film productions and sell their films.
“I have to commend the founder, Fidelis Duker, for keeping this business going for 21 years with no grants or funding,” he said.
Festival Director, Temitope Duker, said the annual film festival was a tourist destination of choice for Nigeria, especially the FCT, adding that funding was a major challenge.
“The government needs to understand that it needs to be fully involved in this film festival to benefit the country.
“Look at the ripple effects when foreigners come here. For example, that way every taxi driver could have a job starting today.
“Grocery stores in Abuja will be open and even hotels will be full.
“So you can imagine what Abuja will do in the next four days if the government taps into this a little bit and makes it easier for people to come.
“It is therefore important that the government understands that this festival does not belong to individuals, it belongs to the industry and it belongs to the city of Abuja,” she said.
Duker said a total of 1,254 films were submitted from 67 countries around the world, of which 82 were selected and 53 of them were nominated for the award.
She said the festival’s highlights will include screenings, workshop campuses, panel discussions, exclusive producer masterclasses, exhibition fashion shows and party awards.
Dr. Shaib Husseini, Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Commission (NFVBC), praised the AIFF founders for staying true to their vision over the past 21 years.
Husseini, who delivered the keynote speech at the opening event earlier, said the NFVCB is committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to the growth of the country’s film industry.
“I usually describe this film festival as one of the longest running independent film festivals in West Africa, and I dare say in Africa.
“I would like to commend them for their consistency, because some would say this is not going to bring any money to our table and we will be left alone.
“We are looking forward to seeing this festival actually adopted by the city of Abuja and the government as a festival because it is more than a film screening, it is a tourism event.
“You can imagine people from different regions coming to the festival, coming to see the movies, coming to connect, coming to exhibit their work,” he said.
The NFVCB helmsman said the board is working closely with key stakeholders to drive innovative reforms in the country’s film industry, in line with President Tinubu’s aim to reposition the cultural and creative sector. said. (NAN) (nannews,ng)
Edited by Ekemini Radejobi
Publisher: Folashade Adeniran Also recently published
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