U. S Ambassador Pledges Continuous Support For Nigeria’s Creative Industry

 

 

By Izuchukwu Okosi

 

The U. S. Mission has continued to show its support and solidarity to the Nigeria film industry and creative community with its participation at the 10th annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

 

The U. S. Mission had sponsored two masterclass in partnership with American Film Showcase and Global Media Makers, representatives from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Arts and U. A. companies including Amazon, Macro and Paramount attending the Festival as it seeks to strengthen partnerships with the Nigerian film industry.

 

The U. S. Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard while delivering her remark at the reception for representatives from the Nigerian and American entertainment industries was enamoured by the strong ties between the two nations’ film sectors.

 

“I am proud of the U.S. Mission’s contributions to this year’s Africa International Film Festival,” Ambassador Leonard said enthusiastically.

 

“Our goal is to build the capacity of emerging filmmakers on animation and post-production, two areas that could lead to tremendous growth in Nigeria’s film industry.”

 

“The U.S. government has long recognized the role of film in diplomacy, with its emphasis on free expression, creativity, democratic and collaborative teamwork,” Ambassador Leonard added.

 

In her speech, Founder/Executive Director of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, thanked the U.S. Mission for being one of the major sponsors of the festival over the last five years.

 

“We are grateful to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for their continuing support of our efforts to build capacity of African filmmakers,” she posited.

 

AFRIFF, an annual showcase of the world of filmmaking, with participation from local and international actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, and equipment manufacturers, is taking place from November 7 to 13.

 

The Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Mission in Abuja and Lagos, support programmes that bring American cultural leaders to Nigeria to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate with Nigerian cultural leaders.