By Diana Omueza

The Federal Government has endorsed the Arewa International Film Festival (AIFF) and pledged its support to showcase the rich and historic beauty of Northern film, creative works, achievements and opportunities.

Mrs Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, pledged FG’s support on Wednesday at the official unveiling of the film festival.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival is tagged “Showcasing untapped potential and promoting the rich historical heritage and storytelling of the Sahel region”.

Musawa said that the creative industry remained the best platform to engage and promote Nigeria’s richness, history and diverse heritage to the world.

She, however, said that the Arewa film industry had to showcase its pride and prove its worth in the creative ecosystem to gain relevance.

“It is the responsibility of Arewa stakeholders to take ownership and stop complaining about what Nigeria has not offered them without showcasing what they have to offer Nigerians,” she said.

The minister said that the government was in full support of the festival, which would empower the teeming and growing population of youths in the region.

She said that plans were underway to create a film village among other projects to enhance the industry.

According to her, the Federal Government is currently working on developing film infrastructure such as studios and film villages, with a conscious effort to ensure that Kannywood is fully integrated into that growth process.

She urged the Arewa creatives not to work in silos but tap into the creative industry potential and deliver worthy and tangible deliverables that would endear Nigeria and the global community to invest and sustain its craft.

She lauded the organisers of the festival for the initiative to showcase the beauty of the Arewa rich conservative creativity.

Musawa also commended the country’s creative industry for striving to brand, promote and rebrand the industry.

Mr Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC), said that the festival was an opportunity for the north to synergise with other regions in the country and beyond.

Nuhu said that it was also an opportunity to unveil new talents, empower and showcase actors, directors, producers and cinematographers in the region.

“The AIFF will serve as an opportunity to address the numerous problems in the Arewa space, especially capacity building, skills acquisition, networking, opportunities, partnerships and sponsorships.

“When you look at Southern Nigeria creative industry and the kind of things they do, the opportunities they get, it is all because of platforms like this.

“I am excited about this for the filmmakers in the north, across regions and into the global community,” he said.

Ms Rahama Sadau, Convener of the AIFF, said that the festival was a cultural renaissance, a youth empowerment movement and a platform to reclaim the narrative of the Sahel creative industry.

Sadau said that the festival would screen over 100 outstanding films, celebrate women in filmmaking, parade royal durbar, award innovation and spotlight emerging stars from the region.

“We have been underrepresented in the global creative dialogue, but the AIFF aims to amplify the creative and cultural expressions of Northern Nigeria as well as celebrating the rich history, literature, and oral traditions.

“I am really excited for the world to hear our conservative stories of worth and value and the quest to protect our conservative nature,” she said.

She acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for the growth of the creative sector, particularly in untapped regions like the Northern Nigeria.

Sadau said that the government’s support would yield measurable impact, create job, empower youth and enable cultural diplomacy.

She advocated for inclusive narratives that reflect the diversity, richness and resilience of the Sahel region and its people in all creative works across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kadiri Abdulrahman