The Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for more film festivals across Nigeria to promote filmmaking, professional networking and tourism.
Husseini made the call during the ongoing 23rd Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF), which is holding from October 20 to 25.
He commended the festival’s organisers for sustaining the event for 23 editions, describing it as West Africa’s longest-running independently organised film festival.
He said film festivals provide platforms for filmmakers to showcase their work, build professional connections and gain exposure while attracting visitors and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Husseini urged organisers to establish festivals across states and local government areas, including events dedicated to children’s films and gender-related issues.
He added that a regular calendar of film festivals could boost tourism and encourage knowledge-sharing among industry professionals. He also expressed hope that policies being developed by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy and its agencies would support independent film festivals.
Earlier, AIFF Festival Director, Temitope Duker, said the 2026 edition was expanding international engagement, particularly through partnerships between Nigeria and China.
She said the festival’s theme, “Frames Without Borders: AI, Ethics, and the Future of Filmmaking,” addressed emerging issues in cinema and opportunities within the global creative economy.
Duker said the festival was strengthening partnerships with the Chinese Embassy, NTA Startimes Nigeria and the Chinese Cultural Centre, while hosting a delegation from the China Film Administration.
She explained that the collaborations aimed to create opportunities for film co-productions, professional training, technology transfer and distribution agreements between the Nigerian and Chinese film industries.
According to her, the festival featured more than 90 local and international films representing over 120 nations, alongside masterclasses and discussions on artificial intelligence ethics and international film distribution.
