NIFS holds its Lagos Summit Discussing on Collaborations and Growth

After the series of the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit 2024 kicked off in Paris as at April this year it was followed by a second part at the Cannes Film Festival in May where the spotlight shone on Nigeria’s booming film industry, showcasing its rich storytelling, elaborate culture, deep heritage and a diverse talent on an international stage. Just recently the NIFS Lagos took place from the 28th to the 30th of August at the prestigious, Legend Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

At the Lagos summit, the sessions taken by different stakeholders discussed the Opportunities and Challenges of Repositioning for Digital TV
Broadcast, Content Monetization and Distribution.
The first day of the Summit was packed with insightful discussions and speeches from key industry figures, academics, and policy makers. One important milestone, among others, of this year’s Summit is the organizers deliberate effort to involve colleagues and partners from Ghana. The discussions have been enriching, offering fresh perspectives and practical solutions as NIFS is committed to fostering an environment where ideas flourish and collaborations are born.

Ghanaian filmmakers joined in driving the agenda of collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria as well as other stakeholders such as the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer. Mercer, applauded the organisers of the 2024 Summit for their resilience and steadfastness over the years. He expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the invitation to be at the event and the opportunity to present Ghana perspectives of the film industry to Nigerians; and called for robust partnership between his country and Nigeria in the development of the film industry in both countries. Speaking further, he said, “African cinema has come a long way, evolving from local storytelling traditions to becoming a force on the global stage. Our stories are now being told not just in our languages, but in the universal language of film—a language that is understood and appreciated by people from all walks of life. Nigerian cinema, popularly known as Nollywood, has led this charge with its prolific output, creativity, and resilience, making it the second-largest film industry in the world.”

NIFS organisers were also commended by Juliet Yaa Asantewa, CEO, National Film Authority of Ghana for their commitment to ensuring the growth and development of the film industry in Nigeria and across the world. She applauded the opportunity being created for a collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana. Temitope Moses, CEO, Nile Media Entertainment Group, emphasized the partnership between the two countries. He also raised the issue of official bottlenecks that hinder collaborations across countries like this. He urged the agencies and governments of both countries to create a more enabling business environment for the creative industry to thrive. He also talked about training and development in the industry. The event attracted a diverse group of participants, which included the Ghana Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Nollywood actors, film producers, marketers, financiers, students, and international personalities and institutions.