EURO Filmfest Rolls in Abuja, as Nigeria, SA Open New Chapter

Edem Duke, minister of Culture and Tourism, has said that the Nigerian movie industry and the South African movie industry would collaborate to promote the industries of both countries.

Duke told journalists on the sideline of the opening of the 2013 European Union Film Festival in Abuja that Nigeria had received proposals from Zollywood, South African movie industry to that effect.

He said that Nigeria was ready to offer its support for the development of Zollywood.

“We have enquiries from the industry, especially southern Africa. They are developing an industry called Zollywood and they desire a working collaboration with the Nigerian movie industry and it is important for us.

“They have provided great audience for our movies and so if we can work with them to also develop their local industry, it will be a win-win situation.”

The Minister described film as “a veritable platform for engaging young people” and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to creating avenues for job creation.

He also urged stakeholders in the movie industry to use their creative skills to tell the Nigerian story in the right perspective.

Also speaking in a separate interview, Dr. David MacRae, the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said that the EU was portraying the diversity of its culture through film.

MacRae said Nigeria and Europe shared the same similarities of cultural diversity, adding that such diversity should strengthen the unity of the country.

“The films in general are very diverse and this reflects the diversity of Europe; in the same way here in Nigeria, we have a nation of 250 ethnicities all living together side by side.

“Now in Europe we rejoice in our diversity; we regard this as a strength; it makes life more interesting, and we should value our diversity; we should take pride in our diversity and the fact that we live in a nation of the size of Nigeria with all these different ethnicities living side by side – it is a positive thing.

“That is the message that I hope, through film we can portray to the public at large.”

The EU ambassador said that the film festival was an excellent way to share values and build bridges to mutual understanding between Nigeria and EU.

The EU Film Festival is part of activities to mark the Europe Day celebration and since its inauguration in 2008, 90 films have been screened so far.

The 2013 film festival is expected to be extended to Kaduna, Jos, Port Harcourt,s and Lagos.