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Tag: NFC

  • NFC extends submission date for essay competition

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has extended the submission date for entries for its 2018 Film Essay competition.

    Earlier scheduled to close on June 29, 2018, the body in a press statement signed by Brian Etuk, Head, Public and Intergovernmental Affairs of NFC, extended the submission date by two months. Hence, interested participants have until Friday, August 31, 2018 to submit their entries.

    The topic of the essay competition is ‘Projecting Nigeria’s Value as a Great Nation through Film.’ And to be eligible, participants must be between 18 years old but below 25 years as at December 2018. According to the statement, entries must be in Arial font, 14 font size, typewritten in double line space, should not more than 15 pages on A4 size paper and should be sent to essaycomp2018nfc@gmail.com.

    Winners of the competition will get N250,000, N100,000 and N75,000 as cash prizes for the first, second and third best entries respectively. Winners in the essay competition will be announced in September 2018, and presentation of certificates to participants and cash prizes will take place during the 2018 edition of ZUMA film festival schedule between December 1 and December 7, 2018 in Abuja.

  • NFC can turn jobless Nigerians to millionaires

    The Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) has declared that the agency has the potentials to accommodate all Nigerian youths seeking source of livelihood, give them jobs and turned them to millionaires.

    The Corporation said the entertainment industry under it also has the capacity to create jobs as well as becoming the second highest revenue earner to government after agriculture.

    Chairman of the board of NFC, Engr Abubakar Umar Gambo disclosed this in his maiden press conference which held on Saturday at the Jos headquarters of the Corporation.

    According to Gambo, “The Nigerian film industry alone (Nollywood) is the largest in Africa and the second largest in the world. Large enough to accommodate all Nigerian youths looking for means of livelihood.

    “All we need to do is to organize massive training for any willing youths, which we are already doing, and given the needed funds, we have plans to provide soft loans to filmmakers and also offer technical assistance to filmmakers to excel in the industry.

    “With NFC, there should be no jobless youth in the country, I’m pleased to inform Nigerians that very soon the Corporation will become a Commission and that will lead to improve funding. Already the enabling laws to that effect have been passed by the National Assembly. And the bill passed by both arms of the National Assembly is been harmonized, then it will be ready for the ascent of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We have plans to acquire state of the art equipment to enable filmmakers in the country produce film of global standard, we want to be the best filmmakers in the whole world, not only in Africa, everything possible to make us achieve that plan is top gear.

    “Above all, the board is working round the clock to ensure the Corporation move to its permanent secretariat, located at Laminga in Jos soon to enable us reposition the industry in a manner for it to reach its full potentials and achieve its set objectives.”

     

     

     

     

    Engr Gambo expressed appreciation to Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong for supporting the Corporation so far and promised that the board will do all it can to maintain the cordial relationship with the state government.

  • NFC can turn jobless Nigerians to millionaires

    The Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) has declared that the agency has the potentials to accommodate all Nigerian youths seeking source of livelihood, give them jobs and turned them to millionaires.

    The Corporation said the entertainment industry under it also has the capacity to create jobs as well as becoming the second highest revenue earner to government after agriculture.

    Chairman of the board of NFC, Engr Abubakar Umar Gambo disclosed this in his maiden press conference which held on Saturday at the Jos headquarters of the Corporation.

    According to Gambo, “The Nigerian film industry alone (Nollywood) is the largest in Africa and the second largest in the world. Large enough to accommodate all Nigerian youths looking for means of livelihood.

    “All we need to do is to organize massive training for any willing youths, which we are already doing, and given the needed funds, we have plans to provide soft loans to filmmakers and also offer technical assistance to filmmakers to excel in the industry.

    “With NFC, there should be no jobless youth in the country, I’m pleased to inform Nigerians that very soon the Corporation will become a Commission and that will lead to improve funding. Already the enabling laws to that effect have been passed by the National Assembly. And the bill passed by both arms of the National Assembly is been harmonized, then it will be ready for the ascent of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We have plans to acquire state of the art equipment to enable filmmakers in the country produce film of global standard, we want to be the best filmmakers in the whole world, not only in Africa, everything possible to make us achieve that plan is top gear.

    “Above all, the board is working round the clock to ensure the Corporation move to its permanent secretariat, located at Laminga in Jos soon to enable us reposition the industry in a manner for it to reach its full potentials and achieve its set objectives.”

  • Nollywood growth phenomenal, says NFC

    •Promises training assistance to practitioners

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has described the growth and current state of Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, as phenomenal and incredible. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day seminar organised by the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigerian (MOPPAN) with the theme “Film Making: Opportunities & Challenges in Nigeria”, which took place in Kaduna,  on Tuesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 18, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director said that Nollywood has and remains Africa’s most prevalent movie industry with an average production of 50 movies per week and 1500 – 3000 films per year.

    Delivering a paper titled ‘Developing Quality Content for Television & Cinema in Nigeria’ Maduekwe said that the growth in film production in Nigeria can only be sustained through training and capacity building of practitioners in the film sector.

    “The film industry has continued to provide content for the cinema and television stations in the country, through the sustained activities of practitioners, who have been able to sustain the narratives as well as the expressions of the depth and breadth of not only Nigeria’s but Africa’s cultural diversity,” he said.

    Dr. Maduekwe listed measures being put in place to address the challenges of the film industry to include, the introduction of tax breaks for filmmakers; development of co-productions treaties, fast tracking of the implementation of Nigeria’s copyright law; sustenance of a robust Nigerian film industry; through the interventions of the Nigerian Film Corporation, curbing and fight against piracy and copy right infringement; promotion of effective marketing and distribution framework and most importantly, the transformation of the Nigerian Film Corporation to a Film Commission in line with Global, and Continental best practices.

    The NFC helmsman decried the dearth of skilled manpower for the industry, which has been inundated with thematic obsession and repetitive themes and storylines, poor funding windows, infrastructural deficiencies, poor marketing and distribution framework as well as lack of safety nets for investments in the sector.

    However, impressed by the objectives of the seminar and the enthusiasm exhibited by participants at the seminar, who were mainly MOPPAN members drawn from the 16 Northern States of the Federation, Dr. Maduekwe announced that the NFC will make the National Film Institute, Jos, available for the next training workshop/ seminar for members of MOPPAN.

    Earlier, the President of MOPPAN, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano Usman explained that the objective of the seminar was to shore up the competencies of filmmakers in the pursuit of their profession. He expressed the appreciation of members of MOPPAN to the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, including the NFC, BoI, NFVCB, NeximBank for the support and assistance extended to film practitioners in the country.

  • NFC commences training for entrepreneurs

    Nigerian Film Corporation, last Monday commenced training of about 80 entrepreneurs from the six geopolitical zones of the country in film and television in Jos, Plateau State.

    At the opening ceremony which took place at the National Film Institute, Jos, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director said that the weeklong workshop will help participants appraise existing and new developments within the context of broad range of traditional filmmaking techniques and applications in film and television production.

    Speaking on behalf Maduekwe, Prof. Christy Best, Rector of the National Film Institute (NFI), the workshop will offer opportunities for film/television and communication specialists/practitioners to perfectly fit into emerging global trends and best practices as a result of digital revolution.

    The workshop, she said, is designed to incorporate a blended learning approach that combines personal experience, classroom tutorials and practical that will justify the time-period participants will spend away from their organisations, to the maximum.

    “The training workshop is also to address the skills gap in the film industry. NFC, through the series of training workshops designed for the year, some of which will be in partnership with State Governments, other Federal Agencies and Foreign Embassies in Nigeria, is demonstrating its commitment to continuously provide training opportunities that will ultimately lead to domestic and international consistency in capacity and manpower development for film and television production,” she said.

    The target of the training workshop includes youths and will cover, scripting, cinematography, production management, editing, still photography and directing.

    The training workshop ends on Saturday March 17.

  • NFC announces date for 2018 Zuma Film Festival

    NFC announces date for 2018 Zuma Film Festival

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), organisers of the Zuma Film Festival 2018 (ZUFF), has announced the dates for its 2018 edition themed ‘Archiving for Creativity’.

    According to the organisers, the film festival will take place from December 1 to 7 in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Speaking at a Press Conference in Abuja last Wednesday, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director and Chairman, Organising Committee of ZUFF said, all that needs to be emplaced to ensure a successful film festival have been set in motion.

    Maduekwe expressed optimism that ZUFF 2018 will be used to further the cravings by Nigerian film stakeholders for a film industry that is globally competitive. According to him, ZUFF 2018, the 9th in the series will again provide the platform to sustain the recognition of Nigerian film makers who have or are adding the needed value in the development of the art and business of filmmaking.

    The world, according to Dr. Maduekwe is being driven by digital technologies, and therefore filmmaking in Nigeria and indeed around the world must equally adapt to these inventions and innovations.

    The NFC, he said is persuaded to use ZUFF 2018 to push this agenda forward, having just witnessed the Full Digitisation of one of Nigeria’s classic films, ‘Shaihu Umar’, which received a public presentation and screenings at the just ended Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) 2018.

    “We intend to leverage on the restoration of ‘Shaihu Umar’, draw on the great potentials there in, and pursue a consciousness towards a national audiovisual archiving policy,” he said.

    As part of the strategies put in place for ZUFF, key partnerships and collaborations with relevant agencies of government and private individuals and organisations will be retained and expanded.

    Also, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya was named as Chairman of Jury, ZUMA Film Festival, 2018.  Adesanya is a renowned filmmaker and television director. He was Jury President, Video/TV Category, FESPACO 2009.

    Entry for Zuma Film Festival 2018 opened March 1 and will close September 30.

  • NFC announces date for 2018 Zuma Film Festival

    NFC announces date for 2018 Zuma Film Festival

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), organisers of the Zuma Film Festival 2018 (ZUFF), has announced the dates for its 2018 edition themed ‘Archiving for Creativity’.

    According to the organisers, the film festival will take place from December 1 to 7 in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Speaking at a Press Conference in Abuja last Wednesday, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director and Chairman, Organising Committee of ZUFF said, all that needs to be emplaced to ensure a successful film festival have been set in motion.

    Maduekwe expressed optimism that ZUFF 2018 will be used to further the cravings by Nigerian film stakeholders for a film industry that is globally competitive. According to him, ZUFF 2018, the 9th in the series will again provide the platform to sustain the recognition of Nigerian film makers who have or are adding the needed value in the development of the art and business of filmmaking.

    The world, according to Dr. Maduekwe is being driven by digital technologies, and therefore filmmaking in Nigeria and indeed around the world must equally adapt to these inventions and innovations.

    The NFC, he said is persuaded to use ZUFF 2018 to push this agenda forward, having just witnessed the Full Digitisation of one of Nigeria’s classic films, ‘Shaihu Umar’, which received a public presentation and screenings at the just ended Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) 2018.

    “We intend to leverage on the restoration of ‘Shaihu Umar’, draw on the great potentials there in, and pursue a consciousness towards a national audiovisual archiving policy,” he said.

    As part of the strategies put in place for ZUFF, key partnerships and collaborations with relevant agencies of government and private individuals and organisations will be retained and expanded.

    Also, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya was named as Chairman of Jury, ZUMA Film Festival, 2018.  Adesanya is a renowned filmmaker and television director. He was Jury President, Video/TV Category, FESPACO 2009.

    Entry for Zuma Film Festival 2018 opened March 1 and will close September 30.

  • ZUFF 2017: Organisers want more festivals to market Nigerian films

    ZUFF 2017: Organisers want more festivals to market Nigerian films

    Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation ( NFC ) and Chairman of ZUMA Film Festival ( ZUFF ) has called for more film festivals to attract investors and create market for Nigeria films.

    He made the call during an interview on Sunday night on the side line of events at the 2017 edition of ZUMA Film Festival held in Abuja.

    The eight edition of the Nigerian prestigious film fiesta, with the theme, “Feast on Films”, holds from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3 at the Jabi Lake Mall in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to Maduekwe, as the Nigerian film industry grows, it needs to be promoted as a viable investment option to both local and the international business communities, and film festivals are veritable platforms to be used.

    “We are aware of the tremendous impact of the Nigerian film industry on the economy of the nation, Africa and indeed around the world.

    “The enormous impact of Nollywood, as the industry is popularly called, is to be further strengthened through Film Festivals,” he said.

    He further explained that in order to effectively showcase Nollywood as a viable investment opportunity and alternative means of employment and wealth creation, the once biennial ZUFF, will be held annually.

    “This is to position the festival and bring it to par with others in Africa and other parts of the world, and to sustainably stimulate film production activities in the country.

    “We are also optimistic that negotiation for co-production deals, sell of film rights as well as investment opportunities will be explored.”

    According to him, the 2017 edition of the film festival was packaged to showcase Nigeria’s film industry, art, culture and tourism as alternative means of employment and wealth creation.

    “This year, we mounted a re-branded ZUMA Film Festival designed to explore the economic and audiovisual potentials of Africa’s largest motion picture industry

    Also, a report states that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who was the chief host, commended the organisers of the ZUFF and pledged Government’s support to the growth of the film industry. ZUMA Film Festival ( ZUFF )

    “Since diversification of the economy is crucial to this Government, the movie industry is a viable option, and government will give all necessary support to ensure that it does well,” he said

    A reports indicates that the ZUMA Film Festival, now in its 8th edition, is platform for Nigerian film practitioners to network with their counterparts from other parts of the world and thus stimulates co-production and financing opportunities.

    It presents the Nigerian film industry as a vibrant and viable investment option to Nigeria and international business communities

    The 2017 edition of the festival featured ‘Emerging Talent Film Exposition’, where top filmmakers and actors, including Kunle Afolayan, held master classes for young and upcoming actors.

    It also presented, among others, exhibition days like Lagos Day, Kano Day, Abia Day and Morocco Day, as well as ‘Celebrities Hangout”, where fans met and familiarize with film celebrities of their choices.

    Film stakeholders and investors within and outside the shores of Nigeria attended the film festival.

    NAN

  • NFC to open South East zonal office

    NFC to open South East zonal office

    As a way of strengthening its operations within the South East Geo-political Zone, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has been allocated a six-room office accommodation by the Abia State government.

    Releasing the office accommodation to the NFC in Umuahia last Monday, Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Ifeanyi Agbai, said it was the desire of the state government to assist agencies of government with the potential to enhance fast development, while performing their statutory functions.

    “Today’s ceremony is a promise fulfilled and a dream achieved,” Agbai stated.

    The Permanent Secretary expressed Abia State government’s appreciation to the NFC for choosing to site the headquarters of its South East Zonal office in Umuahia and assured that other relevant agencies in the state will be mobilised to assist the NFC commence operations from its new Zonal Office.

    Managing Director of NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, thanked the State for providing the office accommodation at a short notice.

    He said the zonal office will help to increase film activities within Abia and its contiguous States.

    He commended the vision of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to transform the State, adding that the NFC is a beneficiary of the benevolence of the government of Abia State.

    “We shall enhance the media capacity of the State, develop and sustain a robust partnership between Abia State and the NFC on broadcast and film production”, Maduekwe further stressed.

    He reiterated the desire of the film agency to drive the industry by upping its current contribution to the nations GDP from 1.5% to 5% within the shortest possible time.

    The new zonal office is located in the premises of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, in Umuahia.

  • NFC to open South East zonal office

    NFC to open South East zonal office

    As a way of strengthening its operations within the South East Geo-political Zone, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has been allocated a six-room office accommodation by the Abia State government.

    Releasing the office accommodation to the NFC in Umuahia last Monday, Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Ifeanyi Agbai, said it was the desire of the state government to assist agencies of government with the potential to enhance fast development, while performing their statutory functions.

    “Today’s ceremony is a promise fulfilled and a dream achieved,” Agbai stated.

    The Permanent Secretary expressed Abia State government’s appreciation to the NFC for choosing to site the headquarters of its South East Zonal office in Umuahia and assured that other relevant agencies in the state will be mobilised to assist the NFC commence operations from its new Zonal Office.

    Managing Director of NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, thanked the State for providing the office accommodation at a short notice.

    He said the zonal office will help to increase film activities within Abia and its contiguous States.

    He commended the vision of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to transform the State, adding that the NFC is a beneficiary of the benevolence of the government of Abia State.

    “We shall enhance the media capacity of the State, develop and sustain a robust partnership between Abia State and the NFC on broadcast and film production”, Maduekwe further stressed.

    He reiterated the desire of the film agency to drive the industry by upping its current contribution to the nations GDP from 1.5% to 5% within the shortest possible time.

    The new zonal office is located in the premises of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, in Umuahia.