At the closing ceremony of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) held in Abuja on Thursday night, the festival’s founder, Fidelis Duker, awarded special recognition awards to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), US High Commission, British Council, Chinese Embassy, and other relevant government institutions and functionaries.
The stakeholders were recognized for their immense support and contributions to the annual festival, making it a flagship event in the Nigerian film industry.
The theme of the festival was “Beyond Borders: Globalisation and the Film Business,” which explored the intersection between the rapidly evolving global film industry and the diverse cultures that shape it.
Duker expressed his gratitude to everyone who had contributed to the success of the festival in the past 20 years.
He reflected on the incredible journey of the festival, which started from humble beginnings when there were no cinemas in Abuja and Nigeria.
In the early days of the festival, film screening was a challenge due to the lack of dedicated cinema spaces.
However, through their constant dedication to promoting film culture, they overcame the obstacle by leveraging outdoor screenings and makeshift theatres in hotels.
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Duker recalled how the festival played a significant role in fostering the development of cinemas and creating a demand for quality film experiences in Abuja.
He said that the establishment of numerous cinemas in the city now serves as vibrant hubs for film enthusiasts.
The festival has undoubtedly contributed to the exhibition ecosystem in the country.
In his goodwill message, the National President of the AGN, Emeka Rollas (MON), expressed his delight at the honour and described the AIFF as a mentoring platform for budding talents in Nigeria.
Dr Salihu Ladan, former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN), who also received the Special Recognitions Awards, extolled the founder of the AIFF for staying committed to its goals over these years.
He praised Duker for placing the Nigerian film industry on the global map.
