The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has assured filmmakers of its commitment in developing the Nigerian film industry. One of the ways in achieving the objectives of the film industry development plan for the nation is for filmmakers to align with policies that support the growth of the industry, including robust participation level by film stakeholders across the country. Above were revealed by Dr. Chidia Maduekwe NFC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive at the 2022 edition of Uyo International Theatre and Film Festival which took place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital recently.
Dr. Maduekwe, who noted that though film production activities in Uyo and indeed within the South South region of the country has been on for a long time, much is expected to be done in harnessing all potentials within the zone to better the fortunes of the industry, create wealth, employment, and revenue for the States within the zone. He told participants at the festival that NFC has its South South Zonal Office in Asaba, Delta State to ease filmmakers access to the Corporations services. Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers States make up the South South Zone of the NFC.
At an interactive/roundtable session with filmmakers on the imperatives of training and retraining of filmmakers from the perspective of the several training, entrepreneurial and capacity training programmes and windows offered by the NFC and NFI, Dr. Maduekwe was emphatic on the need for filmmakers to avail themselves for training and retraining in order to meet up and as well overcome proactively, new film production equipment and technique challenges. Participants, which also included aspiring filmmakers and students, were taken through the various training categories/classifications of the NFC namely – Film Entrepreneurial Training & Capacity Building, Mobile Training Scheme (Mobile Audio-visual Training Platform) as well as the SHOOT! Training series.
Training programmes from the stable of the prestigious National Film Institute (NFI), Jos were equally highlighted. Information on admission requirements and key components of course curricula of the Certificate, Diploma, Degree and the Master in Film Culture & Archival Studies programmes were shared with participants. Other activities and film industry projects which includes NFC’s efforts towards a National Policy on Audio-visual Archiving for the nation, Zuma Film Festival, Film Commission Services, Foreign Co-Production Facilitation were extensively discussed with film stakeholders.
NFC was commended for its impactful achievements in the training of filmmakers for the industry; especially the strategic contributions of the National Film Institute – Jos in filling the skills gap of film making in Nigeria. The securing of international engagement opportunities for filmmakers through the recently signed Film Cooperation Agreements with South Africa and France by the NFC received commendation.
Dr. Madwuekwe was represented at the Filmmakers Roundtable engagement by Brian Etuk, NFC’s Director of Public Affairs. Joy Ivie, Head of NFC’s South South Zonal Office was also in attendance.
