The Nigerian Film Corporation, NFC, says Zuma International Film Festival, ZUFF, will deepen cultural exchange, attract meaningful investment, and strengthen the creative value chain from development to distribution through cinemas.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu, stated this at the opening of the 15th edition of the Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF) in Abuja, the Nation’s Capital.
Nuhu, who is also the chief executive chairman of the festival, said the theme for this year’s edition, “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force was a reminder that film was not only for entertainment.”
He noted that the film festival has become a statement of who Nigerians are, a nation of storytellers, cultural ambassadors and creative innovators whose voices continue to travel far beyond borders.
He said, “Today, as we gather again, we reaffirm that identity with pride. This year’s festival comes at a time when Nigerian and African stories are influencing global culture more than ever before. Across borders and digital platforms, our narratives are shaping conversations, sparking curiosity and opening doors for new collaborations, and such momentum is what brings us together today.
“Through this festival, we will explore how cinema can deepen cultural exchange, attract meaningful investment, and strengthen the creative value chain from development to distribution. It is diplomacy, heritage, economic strategy and how nations shape perceptions and build bridges,” he said.
Nuhu further said that this year’s festival has been intentionally curated to achieve that vision of strengthening the creative value chain from development to distribution.
“From masterclasses and roundtables to co-production forums, national days by foreign embassies, business sessions, free screenings, and exhibitions. Every element of Zuma awards is designed to spark new partnerships, elevate talent and expand opportunities for practitioners at all levels,” Nuhu explained.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the FCT Administration under. Nyesom Wike and Dr Mariyam Mahmoud and Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
“Also, the National Assembly Committees on Art, Culture & Creative Economy, our international partners from China, Germany, Spain, Iran and South Africa, for their immense support,” he said.
“To our sponsors, guilds, associations, partners and friends of Nigerian cinema, thank you for your unwavering belief in this festival. Your collaboration is the engine that has kept Zuma growing, evolving and connecting our industry to the world.
“Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive and more globally competitive film ecosystem. As we open this edition, I invite all of us filmmakers, investors, policymakers, scholars, and enthusiasts to immerse ourselves in the conversations, the films, the ideas and the energy that this festival brings.” Nuhu said
” Let us challenge ourselves, inspire one another and continue transforming our creative gifts into global impact,” he advised.
Speaking at the event, the Nigerian Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, represented by Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Obi Asika, said he was excited to see an international jury this year and a bunch of international films being presented as well.
He said, “Nollywood should be given a standing ovation because of the trajectory and the journey of Nollywood, which was based on disruption.
The Minister commended the pioneers present at the event, urging them to tell the story of how Nollywood came to be as well.”
He said, “In as much as you keep achieving new things, if you do not document what you have achieved, somebody will come later and claim that achievement.”
Asika, who also spoke in his capacity as the DG NCAC, appealed to the government to push an agenda for broadcasters, commissioning producers, and television stations to help tell the story of Nollywood, not just Nollywood telling stories, but the story of Nollywood itself.
Mr Asika said “there is a lot of value in the story, as well as capacity within the story. When we do that, we actually acknowledge the real power of storytelling.
“Salute all of you that are here, I know that if the minister were here, she will want to commend the NFC DG for making it possible because we know the challenges in making any events happen at this time.
Remember, she is committed and fully behind the storytellers of Nigeria because she is creative as well. It can be a visual artist, an author, a journalist, film maker, TV producer or sitcom producer, but at the end of the day, all of these things are valid stories and they are all important,” Our trying to go through many different platforms and ways is to unlock more opportunities and more capacity for Nigerian storytellers and the storytellers come in many different lenses,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Director-General, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFCVB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, who represented all the DGs, said film was not just an entertainment tool, but as a soft power and economic force.
According to him, the time has come for stakeholders in the industry to see how they can conquer the world.
He commended NFC for coming up with such a theme for this year’s festival.
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Mr Gholamreza Raga, said the film festival has the ability to bring cultures together, open conversation, and create lasting connections between people from different parts of the world.
He said, “This year, Iranians participated in this festival with two films and an educational webinar.
However, we are proud to share a small part of our artistic heritage and to contribute to the exchange of ideas and experiences.
Our film represented the creativity and passion of Iranian storytellers. Through the education webinar, we hope to offer insight and knowledge that can support young filmmakers and artists.”
The ambassador thanked NFC for creating such an inspiring platform and welcoming them with the warmest and openness.
He said he looked forward to building stronger cultural ties, new collaborations and further creative projects together.
Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of China Cultural Center, Mr Yang Jianxing, said film has the power to connect people’s hearts to hearts, as well as deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between every country.
Jianxing also said that the film festival was at a wonderful stage for every country’s filmmakers and diplomatic sectors, adding that Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Center had the honor to recommend two documentary films from China.
” I congratulate Film Corporation and the relevant sectors, hoping that the festival will be successful and every participants will enjoy Chinese films”
The theme for this year’s edition is “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force”, was a reminder that film was not only for entertainment.