Nigeria and South Africa, two of Africa’s largest film industries, have come together in Lagos, Nigeria to celebrate 29 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. The event was organized by the South African Consulate General in Lagos and aimed to foster collaborations between the creative industries of both nations.
The film exhibition, held at the Mike Adenuga Center, featured panel discussions and speeches by industry experts from both countries. The Consul General, Dr. Bobby Moroe, highlighted the efforts made by the South African government to strengthen relations between Nollywood and its South African counterparts. He stressed the importance of telling African stories by Africans, made in Africa and shared with the rest of the world.
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, also spoke at the event and emphasized the untapped opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. He mentioned the signing of a bilateral agreement for co-production between Nigeria and South Africa by both presidents in Abuja in 2021.
A panel of industry experts, led by Nigerian filmmaker Judith Audu, discussed the various channels through which both countries can better portray Africa to the world through creative collaborations in the film industry. They emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, rather than a competitive one, between Nigerian and South African filmmakers. They encouraged the two industries to work together to create a positive impact on the African film industry.
The event showcased the resilience and enterprising spirit of both countries and their shared commonalities. The conversations and collaborations between the two giants of the African film industry are expected to positively impact the creative sector on the continent. The hope is that in the near future, Africa will experience exponential growth in the film industry as a result of these collaborations.
