ovide unique opportunities for various stakeholders to impact the local film industry.
Musawa stated, “Film Festivals are critical to fostering collaboration and enabling the development and commercialization of projects. They bring international focus to the local industry and help cement our place on the global map. No major filmmaking country exists without an internationally renowned top-tier film festival. For this reason, we are committed to investing in ZUMA to ensure that it presents the highest level of excellence in film and leads the charge in cementing Nigeria as a critical filmmaking destination.”
She further highlighted that the Zuma Film Festival aims for sustainable growth, job creation, and investment promotion. “The Zuma International Film Festival (ZIFF) demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering critical developmental initiatives for a more vibrant film industry. Nigeria’s film industry is a diverse and vibrant ecosystem that reflects the richness of our culture and offers a unique opportunity for us to tell our stories to the world.”
As the festival theme for this year is “Digital Renaissance: Embracing the Future,” Musawa expressed optimism that it would reflect on the rapid digital advancements shaping the film industry. She noted that these technologies transform how films are created, distributed, and consumed globally, presenting immense opportunities for Nigeria and Africa to take the lead in this evolving ecosystem.
In support of this initiative, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, praised Nigerian filmmakers for their creativity and hard work, expressing hope that Nigerian films would achieve global recognition, including winning an Oscar one day.
Additionally, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, urged the Nigerian Film Industry to establish sustainable modalities that will outlive the current administration.