Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Explore Film Production Collaboration
By Adeshina Timothy
To foster healthy relationships and promote intercultural synergy, plans are underway to secure collaboration between the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and Saudi Arabia.
NFC revealed this in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Brian Etuk, in Abuja on Thursday.
According to NFC, Ali Nuhu, its managing director and CEO has met with Ali Khalil Al-Maqeit, a representative of the Saudi Arabia Film Commission, at the Berlinale Film Festival in Germany.
The meeting between the duo yielded, as Ali Khalil affirms the Saudi authorities’ eagerness to sign a cooperation agreement with Nigeria, to facilitate the robust development of both countries’ film sectors.
He said ‘‘The potentials for film industry growth are vast, with opportunities for co-production, talent exchange, and knowledge sharing. The handshake between Nigeria’s vibrant film industry and that of Saudi Arabia will enable the showcase of the unique cultures of both nations. This significant effort is part of a broader strategy by Saudi Arabia and Nigeria to strengthen bilateral cultural relations.”
Khalil added that the two countries have moved towards establishing a cooperation agreement, and exciting new developments and investment opportunities await Nigerian and Saudi filmmakers.
In a similar vein, Mr. Nuhu noted that Nigeria and France are collaborating to sustain film production cooperation.
Nuhu equally met with Plazanet Michel, a Director at the French National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image, and said the meeting was a significant step in strengthening the existing partnership.
Recounting efforts by NFC to ameliorate film production in Nigeria, Nuhu maintains that “NFC has been working tirelessly to promote the industry and provide opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers to showcase their works globally.
CNC has equally expressed its willingness to have a delegation visit Nigeria for further need assessment engagements with the NFC to develop the Nigerian film industry, “he said.
Nevertheless, he expressed appreciation for CNC’s role in creating an enabling platform for investments in Nigeria’s creative industry, while admitting that the proposed visit would provide a valuable opportunity for the two organisations to identify innovative opportunities supporting the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
