Discussions have commenced between the
Federal Government and the government of the Kingdom of Morocco aimed
at developing a sustainable bilateral relationship for the promotion
of the creative economies of both countries.
The discussions are on motion picture
co-production treaty between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco,
collaboration between motion picture industries of both countries and
cross country collaborations, joint film production, including
documentaries, capacity building, festival development, content sales
and access to project finding. When finally sealed through the
signing of a Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding and Treaty,
Nigeria’s creative industry is expected to witness a leap in its
growth through the inflow of direct investment, with measurable
impact on the nation’s economy.
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, Managing
Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) led
Nigeria’s delegation to the discussion in Morocco. Other delegates
included Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Information
and Strategy, Mr. Edmund Peters, Head of Production and Industry
Support Services, (NFC) Mrs. Halima Oyelade, Head of NFC Abuja Zonal
Office, Mohammed Gamul, a film practitioner from Kano State. In
Morocco, Nigeria’s delegation held discussions with officials of
agencies of the Moroccan government – Institut Supervieur Des
Matiers De L’audiovisual Et Du Cinema (ISMAC), Centre
Cinematographique Morocain (CCM) and organizers of Marrakech Film
Festival Foundation, 2M Maroc, Quarzazate Film Commission and the
Faculte Polydisciplinaire de Quarzazate, Universite Ibn Zohr.
Outcome of the discussions, intended to
fast track motion picture production and allied activities in Nigeria
included but not limited to the following; the provision of access to
online library of ISMAC by the National Film Institute (NFI), Jos,
Student/Lecturer exchange programme as well as scholarship for
Students of the NFI to study in Morocco. Other takeaways are; CCM to
provide NFC with assistance for the digitization of archival
materials of the National Film Video and Sound Archive, Training and
Capacity building for Nigerian Television/Film Professionals and
Broadcast Stations at the 2M Maroc, participation and the mounting of
Moroccan Day at Nigeria’s foremost film festival, ZUMA Film
Festival, (Abuja, December 1 – 5, 2017). The Quazazate Film
Commission will equally train Nigerian motion picture professionals,
Students of NFI as well as those from other Nigerian Film training
and tertiary institutions annually in Morocco, while Nigerian motion
picture producers will enjoy a 20% tax rebate incentive for all
movies shot within Quarzazate. 2M Maroc is to also collaborate with
the NFC to set up the National Film Institute (NFI) Community
Television Station in Jos.
Moroccan government officials that
engaged the Nigeria delegation included Mr. Nour-Eddine Sail of
Khourigba Film Festival, Director of ISMAC Fouad Souiba, Mrs Khadiza
Alami of the Quazazate Film Commission, and the Mayor of Quarzazate
Moulay Abderahmane.
“A made in Africa” documentary to
be jointly produced in Nigeria under the NFC INNOVATIVE NIGERIA
PROJECT with a view to showcase the impact of Morocco’s phosphate
industry on Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Describing the
discussion as fruitful, Dr. Maduekwe assured that Nigeria will draw
from the vast resources of Morocco in terms of access to training,
capacity building, export of Nigerian films, as well as content sales
for independent Nigerian producers in film and other audiovisual
products.
A Memorandum of Understanding/Treaty at
the highest government level and representation is to be signed as
soon as the draft agreements get endorsed by both countries.
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