Zuma film festival will deepen cultural exchange, strengthen creative value chain—-Nuhu

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), says Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF), will deepen cultural exchange, attract meaningful investment, and strengthen the creative value chain from development to distribution through cinemas.

Dr Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of NFC, said this at the opening of the 15th edition of the Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF) on Monday in Abuja.

Nuhu, who is also the chief executive chairman of the festival said the theme for this year edition “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force” was a reminder that film was not only for entertainment.

According to him, the film festival has become a statement of who Nigerians,a nation of storytellers, cultural ambassadors and creative innovators whose voices continue to travel far beyond borders.

” Today, as we gather again, we reaffirm that identity with pride.This year’s festival comes at a time when Nigerian and African stories are influencing global culture more than ever before.

“Across borders and digital platforms, our narratives are shaping conversations, sparking curiosity and opening doors for new collaborations and such momentum is what brings us together today.

” It is diplomacy, heritage, economic strategy and on how nations shape perceptions and build bridges.

“Through this festival, we will explore how cinema can deepen cultural exchange, attract meaningful investment, and strengthen the creative value chain from development to distribution,” he said.

Nuhu added that this year’s festival has been intentionally curated to achieve that vision of strengthen the creative value chain from development to distribution.

” From masterclasses and roundtables to co-production forums, national days by foreign embassies, business sessions, free screenings, exhibitions.

” Every element of Zuma awards is designed to spark new partnerships, elevate talent and expand opportunities for practitioners at all levels.

” I extend my heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the FCT Administration under Barr. Nyesom Wike and Dr Mariyam Mahmoud and Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr Hannatu Musawa.

“Also the National Assembly Committees on Art, Culture & Creative Economy, our international partners from China, Germany, Spain, Iran and South Africa for their immense support ,” he added.

“To our sponsors, guilds, associations, partners and friends of Nigerian cinema thank you for your unwavering belief in this festival.
“Your collaboration is the engine that has kept Zuma growing, evolving and connecting our industry to the world.

“Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive and more globally competitive film ecosystem.

“As we open this edition, I invite all of us filmmakers, investors, policymakers, scholars, and enthusiasts to immerse ourselves in the conversations, the films, the ideas and the energy that this festival brings.

” Let us challenge ourselves, inspire one another and continue transforming our creative gifts into global impact,” he advised.

Also speaking, Musawa, said she was excited to see international jury this year and bunch of international films being presented as well.

The minister, who was represented by Obi Asika, Director -General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) said Nollywood should be given standing ovation because of the trajectory and the journey of Nollywood which was based on disruption.

The minister commended the pioneers present at the event , urging them to tell the story of how Nollywood came to be as well.

“In as much as you keep achieving new things, if you do not document what you have achieved, somebody will come later and claim that achievement,” She said.

Asika who also spoke in his capacity as the DG NCAC, appealed to government to push an agenda for broadcasters, commissioning producers, television stations to help tell the story of Nollywood, not just Nollywood telling stories, but the story of Nollywood itself.

According to him, there is a lot of value in the story, as well as capacity within the story, when we do that, we actually acknowledge the real power of storytelling.

“Salute all of you that are here, I know that if the minister was here, she will want to commend NFC DG for making it possible because we know the challenges in making any events happen at this time.

” Remember she is committed and fully behind the storytellers of Nigeria because she is creative as well.

” Our trying to go through many different platforms and ways is to unlock more opportunities and more capacity for Nigerian storytellers and the storytellers come in many different lenses.

“It can be a visual artist, an author, a journalist, film maker, TV producer or sitcom producer, but at the end of the day, all of these things are valid stories and they are all important,” he added.

Also, Dr Shaibu Husseini, Director-General, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFCVB), who represented all the DGs, said film was not just an entertainment tool, but as a soft power and economy force.

According to him, the time has come for stakeholders in the industry to see how they can conquer the world.
He commended NFC for coming up with such a theme for this year’s festival.

Mr Gholamreza Mahdavi Raga, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, said the film festival has the ability to bring cultures together, open conversation and create lasting connections between people from different parts of the world.

“This year, Iranian participated in this festival with two films and an educational webinar.However, we are proud to share a small part of our artistic heritage and to contribute to the exchange of ideas and experiences.

“Our film represented the creativity and passion of Iranian storytellers. Through the education webinar, we hope to offer insight and knowledge that can support young filmmakers and artists,” he said.

The ambassador thanked NFC for creating such an inspiring platform and welcoming them with the warmest and openness.

He added that he looked forward in building a stronger cultural ties, new collaboration and further creative project together.

Mr Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of China Cultural Center, said film has the power to connect people’s heart to heart, as well as deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between every country’s people.

Jianxing added that film festival was in wonderful stage for every country’s filmmakers and diplomatic sectors, adding that Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Center had the honor to recommend two documentary films from China.

” I congratulate Film Corporation and the relevant sectors, hoping that the festival will be successful and every participants will enjoy Chinese film”.