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The federal government has expressed its support for the Arewa International Film Festival (AIFF) and committed to highlighting the rich and historic cultural heritage of Northern cinema and creative works.
On Wednesday, at the festival's official launch, Hannatu Musawa, the minister of art, culture, tourism, and the creative economy, emphasized the government's backing.
The festival is themed “Showcasing untapped potential and promoting the rich historical heritage and storytelling of the Sahel region”.
Musawa noted that the creative industry offers an excellent avenue for showcasing Nigeria’s richness, history, and diverse heritage to a global audience.
She mentioned that the Arewa film industry must demonstrate its value and pride within the creative ecosystem to gain significance.
“Arewa stakeholders must take charge and stop complaining about what support they lack from Nigeria, instead of highlighting their own contributions,” she stated.
The minister confirmed the government's full support of the festival, which aims to empower the youthful population in the region. Plans are also in motion to establish a film village and other initiatives to boost the industry
According to her, the federal government is actively working to improve film infrastructure, including studios and film villages, to ensure Kannywood's integration into this growth.
She urged Arewa creatives to collaborate rather than work independently and to leverage the creative industry's potential to produce valuable outputs that could attract local and global investment.
Musawa praised the festival organizers for their effort to highlight the beauty of Arewa's rich traditional creativity.
She also commended the country's creative industry for its efforts in branding and promoting itself. Ali Nuhu, managing director of the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC), indicated that the festival provides an opportunity for the northern region to collaborate with other regions both nationally and internationally.
Nuhu mentioned that it also serves as a platform to discover new talents and showcase actors, directors, producers, and cinematographers from the area.
“The AIFF presents a chance to tackle various challenges in the Arewa sector, particularly in capacity building, skills acquisition, networking, opportunities, partnerships, and sponsorships.
“Look at the Southern Nigeria creative industry and the opportunities they access, largely thanks to platforms like this. “I am thrilled about the prospects for filmmakers in the north and their engagement with the broader global community,” he remarked.
The AIFF convener, Rahama Sadau, described the festival as a cultural revival, a movement for youth empowerment, and a space to redefine the narrative of the Sahel's creative industry.
Sadau stated that the festival would showcase over 100 remarkable films, celebrate women in filmmaking, feature royal durbars, award innovation, and highlight emerging talents from the region.
“We have not been adequately represented in the global creative discourse, but the AIFF aims to elevate Northern Nigeria's artistic and cultural expressions while celebrating our rich history, literature, and oral traditions.
“I am eager for the world to hear our valuable conservative stories and our endeavor to maintain our conservative essence,” she expressed.
She acknowledged the federal government’s dedication to fostering an environment conducive to the growth of the creative sector, especially in overlooked areas like Northern Nigeria.
Sadau believes that the government’s support will have a tangible impact, create jobs, empower youth, and facilitate cultural diplomacy.
She advocated for inclusive narratives that showcase the diversity, richness, and resilience of the Sahel region and its people in all creative works across the nation.
