NFC, Lagos train aspiring filmmakers

IT was a fruitful time for aspiring filmmakers in Lagos as the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), in collaboration with the State Government organised a one-week training for them.

More than 100 participants, drawn from the 57 local governments and development areas of the state, were taken through their paces in digital cinematography, scripting and directing, production management, still photography, editing and sound design and production during the training.

Speaking at the formal opening on March 26, Managing Director of the NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, thanked Governor Akinwumi Ambode, for allowing the corporation train aspiring filmmakers in the state. He equally appreciated the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Ayorinde, and assured that the NFC would sustain its relationship with Lagos State to raise young film entrepreneurs.

Maduekwe, who disclosed that a similar training had been held in Jos, Plateau State, said the corporation was developing national and foreign institutional linkages, collaborations and partnership to strengthen its operations and interventions. One of such, he said, was the one with the Goethe Institut that is set to establish an Archival Studies Department at the Nigerian Film Institute, Jos.

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The MD urged other state governments and stakeholders to embrace the corporation’s training programmes designed to empower and ultimately create jobs

Also speaking, the Tourism and Culture Commissioner, Ayorinde who was represented by the Chair, Lagos State Film/Video Censor Board, Dele Balogun, commended the NFC for the partnership.

He disclosed that Governor Ambode wanted the youth to be fully engaged and eradicate poverty, hence the training. “The Lagos State Government remains strongly committed to capacity building, entrepreneurship empowerment, and sustainable youth development,” he said

Programme Officer of the Goethe Institut, Aderinsola Ajao, assured the NFC of the Institut’s continuous support in the training of youth in modern filmmaking and digitalization of its archive.

At the end of the training, the participants urged the NFC and the state government to sustain the partnership for the interest of their future. They disclosed that they were sufficiently empowered to seek alternative sources of wealth and job creation.

Ashake, the short film produced by the participants, was screened at the closing ceremony.