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  • Asia and Nigeria Strengthen Ties as 7th Asian Film Festival Opens in Abuja

    Asia and Nigeria Strengthen Ties as 7th Asian Film Festival Opens in Abuja

    The 7th Asian Film Festival has commenced in Abuja with renewed calls for stronger cultural collaboration and deeper dialogue between Asian countries and Nigeria. The three-day event, taking place from December 9 to 11 at the China Cultural Centre, features a curated lineup of films from China, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Turkey.

    The opening ceremony brought together diplomats, cultural ambassadors, filmmakers and enthusiasts from both Asia and Nigeria, reflecting a shared commitment to using cinema as a platform for connection and understanding.

    Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, described this year’s festival as an important step in strengthening ties between Asian and African cultures. He noted that Asia and Africa share a history of close interaction and cultural similarities that can be further explored through artistic platforms such as film.

    “Culture represents who we are, and film is one of its most powerful expressions. It allows us to experience each other’s stories, identities and ways of life. This festival provides Nigerians with an opportunity to discover the depth and diversity of Asian cultures,” he said.

    Yang expressed appreciation to the participating embassies for their collaboration, acknowledging the strong support from the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Centre. He also highlighted China’s contribution to the festival, describing the featured film as a cultural bridge that blends elements of Chinese storytelling with Korean creativity.

    Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mahdavi Raja emphasized the festival’s role in promoting dialogue, empathy and peaceful coexistence. He explained that the initiative, which was originally conceived by Iran years ago, has evolved into a collective Asian cultural celebration supported by multiple nations.

    “Culture and the arts are universal languages. Cinema, in particular, allows us to view the world from new perspectives and reminds us of the human connections we all share,” he said.

    He noted that in an increasingly divided world, platforms that foster understanding are essential. According to him, festivals like this help break down cultural barriers, encourage mutual respect and create enduring friendships.

    The Ambassador thanked all participating countries, partners and attendees for contributing to the festival’s continued growth and success.

    The festival will continue with daily film screenings at the China Cultural Centre, offering Nigerian audiences a vibrant mix of Asian cinema, storytelling traditions and cultural diversity.

  • Nigeria, China Set for Landmark Joint Film Projects — FG

    Nigeria, China Set for Landmark Joint Film Projects — FG

    Nigeria and China have begun work on a joint film production slate expected to strengthen creative collaboration between the two countries, the Federal Government has said.

    The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Ali Nuhu, revealed this during the screening of the Chinese documentary “Rooting” at the Zuma International Film Festival in Abuja. According to him, both nations have moved from preliminary discussions to concrete action in developing co-produced films.

    Nuhu explained that the ongoing cultural exchanges at the festival, including a masterclass led by the film’s director, Chai Hongfang, and editor, Zhou Hongxia, are equipping Nigerian filmmakers with valuable skills in documentary storytelling and production.

    He said the interaction is already opening doors for deeper collaboration.

    “From this masterclass, our directors and editors now understand the creative process behind the documentary. The Chinese filmmakers have also indicated that they are open to working with any Nigerian filmmaker willing to partner with them,” he noted.

    The NFC boss disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy is already facilitating a broader partnership framework with Chinese industry players.

    “A Chinese delegation was in Nigeria last month, and we visited a number of film sets together. The plan is to develop a slate of about ten films. Each project will involve Nigerian production companies, and the casts will include both Nigerian and Chinese talent,” he said.

    Speaking on the relevance of the Zuma International Film Festival, Nuhu described it as the government’s official avenue for cross-cultural engagement in filmmaking.

    “Zuma Film Festival is organised by the Nigerian Film Corporation, so it is the Federal Government’s own film festival. It brings together filmmakers from Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world to network, collaborate and study one another’s creative approaches. This is where we exchange ideas and learn new technologies, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence in filmmaking,” he added.

    Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre, reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening cultural and cinematic ties with Nigeria.

    He noted that Nollywood produces roughly 2,500 films annually, making it the world’s second-largest film industry, while China’s cinema ecosystem continues to expand, with more than 90,000 screens and a 2024 box office revenue exceeding $6 billion.

    He described the screening of “Rooting” and the accompanying masterclass as symbols of growing cultural dialogue and friendship.

    “With 2026 designated as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, we expect even stronger cooperation between our film industries to promote mutual understanding and development,” Yang said.

    “Rooting”, which took four years to produce, documents the lives of the Nu people in Yunnan Province and their transformation through China’s poverty alleviation initiatives.

    This year’s Zuma Film Festival, organised by the Nigerian Film Corporation, will also showcase Shenzhou 13, a Chinese documentary filmed aboard China’s space station.