Following discussions which started last year, plans to sign a film co-production agreement between Nigeria, France, Norway, Morocco and other countries have reached an advanced stage. In a statement from Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), the Agency, last year, had meetings with film development counterpart agencies from other countries.
The Agency said NFC should have signed an agreement with France’s CNC before French president arrived Nigeria but bureaucratic delays forced the signing date to September this year.
“The co-production agreement between Nigeria and France is long overdue,” the statement signed by Brian Etuk, NFC’s Head, Public Affairs & Intergovernmental Affairs, said.
“Whereas, both nations have robust film industries, with their filmmakers exchanging their film trade/profession over the years, such however, have not been under a formalized bilateral arrangement. This meant denying themselves the full benefits derivable thereof if a formalized co-production agreement had been in place. The agreement between Nigeria and France will result in the expansion of our film, television, video production and distribution. Directly linked to this, is the development of cultural and economic exchanges that will engender financial and economic benefits for both nations. This will be actualized through the use of local locations for film projects, expansion of markets and the development of skills. The significant and most important aspect of the agreement is the derivable impact and benefits to film practitioners. This relationship will bind both countries film practitioners who are expected to bring their creative skills, experience and other perspectives to bear on the co-production process. Furthermore, the agreement document is expected to fit into the UNESCO convention of 2005 on the protection and promotion of the diversity cultural expressions to which Nigeria and France are signatories.
“For film distributor and exhibition, the cheering news is the reciprocal participation and exhibition of cinematographic works at national film festivals and other film events organised in Nigeria and in France. Ultimately, the objective is to facilitate theatrical reach and distribution markets of international and global appeal.”
The agreement, according to NFC, would address ‘Film heritage, film literacy, artistic cooperation, institutional exchanges, distribution and exhibition’ between France and Nigeria and both parties ‘are expected to formally create the necessary environment to enable their film practitioners bring their expertise and experience to bear in the conservation, cataloguing, restoration and digitalization of classic and vintage films.’
NFC also said that: “The proposed co-production agreement between Nigeria and France, having shared some similarities and commonalities in the worlds audio visual space, will further signpost Nigeria’s creative industry for more investment inflow, along with other capabilities. Skills upgrade and maximization, wider audience creation, development of content, capacity building, training, marketing, distribution and exhibition and several others opportunities obviously await Nigerian film makers.”
The statement also lamented the lack of co-production agreements with other countries.
“As at the last count, the closest Nigeria came to signing a co-production agreement was some three years ago with South Africa,” it said.“
”
