NFC Makes Good on Promise, Signs Agreement with France

In line with its visions for the year 2020, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Nigeria and the Centre national du cinema et de l’image animee (CNC) France have signed a bilateral agreement. 

The CNC is translated as the National Centre for Cinema and Moving Image, France. This body is the agency of the French Ministry of Culture responsible for the production and promotion of cinematic and audio-visual arts in France.

As promised last month, this collaboration has been signed and sealed; and is now awaiting delivery. But for those who don’t know what this entails…

Here’s what this collaboration means:

The CNC and the NFC’s collaboration will invest 135,000 euros for a Nigerian director/producer working in partnership with French film personnel to make a high-quality film.

In addition to that, there will be financed training for various aspects of movie production; as well as the signing up and promotion of existing film clubs. This will aid the campaign for film as a tool for cultural diversity.

Furthermore, there will be opportunities for networking between the Nigerian and French filmmakers to encourage more co-productions.

Also, the CNC will assist the NFC with conserving, cataloguing, restoring, digitizing and enhancing old films and archival documents. In addition to that, it will help with teaching the technical skills to promote the Nigerian film heritage.

There will also be training on fighting piracy and plagiarism. This collaboration also seeks to help children and the youth acquire skills for the Nigerian film industry.

Lastly, there will be a reciprocal effort at the distribution and exhibition of films made in both countries at film festivals and other film events.

The signing

The signing ceremony, which took place on Tuesday the 14th of January at the CNC headquarters in Paris, saw in attendance, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the NFC and Mr. Dominique Boutonnat, the CEO of CNC and his team. Also in attendance was Professor Shodipo who flew from Nigeria on self-sponsorship to support the cause.

Congratulations to the NFC and Nollywood. Hopefully, this will not result in a 30 Days in Paris.