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It should be clear that for Africa’s film sectors to flourish, targeted, consistent, comprehensive government support will be essential to complement private investment.
I continue to track developments as I learn about them.
Thanks to a 2024 Cannes Marché du Film panel on Nigeria’s government support of its film enterprise, which I received last week, I picked up a few things.
Among the panelists: Baba Agba, Special Assistant to the President on Creativity and Special Adviser to the Minister on Film Music and Entertainment; Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture; Fegho Umunubo, Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy; and Vicensia Shule, Senior Culture Officer at the African Union Commission.
A few key mentions:
- Work is being done on establishing rebate systems and co-production treaties with other countries: South Africa (Discussions have been restarted to negotiate a co-production treaty); Brazil (Mentioned as sending a draft for review); Canada (Also sent a draft for review); Jamaica (Expressed interest in a co-production treaty); Ghana (Indicated interest in collaborating); France (Ongoing discussions were mentioned).
- There’s a significant investment program focused on capacity development, infrastructure, and access to finance.
- A multimillion-dollar fund for filmmakers was established with Providus Bank, structured so filmmakers don’t need collateral.
- Discussions about Lagos as a kind of hub for creative education and skill development.
- I got the sense that there’s a need for better coordination between state and federal government initiatives.
- A lot of discussion about streaming platforms and their overall pros, cons, and overall effects in the Nigerian context.
And more. It was an hour-long conversation.
Ultimately, one can infer that efforts are being made at the government level to support its film sector, against some challenges.
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