High level talks which precede
endorsement and subsequent signing of film co-production agreements
have reached advanced stages between Nigeria, France, Norway, Morocco
and other countries. Discussions which started late last year and
followed with formal meetings in Abuja and Jos, by the Nigerian Film
Corporation,NFC, the nation’s leading regulatory film agency, with
the above mentioned countries film development counterpart agencies
has started to result in the upcoming signing of co-production
agreements between both countries.
The fury of activities by officials of
the NFC and CNC, positively suggested that both nations were poised
towards having the co-production agreement before the French
President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, arrives Nigeria. However,
bureaucratic delays meant that the signing ceremony had to be shifted
to a later date in September this year in Paris. This will among
others, strengthen bilateral relations between France and Nigeria in
the transfer of skills and best practices, preservation of films and
its exhibition from and within both countries, signed.
As at the last count, the closest
Nigeria came to signing a co-production agreement was some three
years ago with South Africa. That agreement is yet to be ratified by
both nations and a date fixed for formal signing, despite much of
film and video activities between films practitioner of both nations.
Efforts are on to get the two nations to the talking table once more
on the propriety of an early ratification of the draft agreement. The
co-production agreement between Nigeria and France is long overdue.
Whereas, both nations have robust film industries, with their film
makers 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. The few key components within the
proposed agreement are significant, when situated in the context of
Nigeria’s quest to leverage on bilateral relationships with other
film cultures to address several challenges. Film heritage, film
literacy, artistic cooperation, institutional exchanges, distribution
and exhibition are component of the proposed agreement. 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.
