United States entertainment executives from companies like Amazon and Paramount attended the just-concluded 2021 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) as part of efforts to deepen their ties with Nollywood.
AFRIFF, an annual showcase of the African world of filmmaking, was held in Lagos between November 7 and 13, 2021.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Office of the US Ambassador to Nigeria.
The annual event witnessed the participation of local and international actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, and equipment manufacturers.
Leonard said representatives from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and US firms like Amazon, Macro, and Paramount attended the festival to deepen their ties with the Nigerian film industry.
This, she said, was in addition to sponsoring two masterclasses in partnership with American Film Showcase and Global Media Makers.
Leonard met with journalists and filmmakers at the US consul general’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The event also received representatives from the Nigerian and US entertainment industries in honour of the 10th annual AFRIFF.
She highlighted the growing US-Nigeria ties and the vast potential of Nollywood as a cultural exporter to the African continent and beyond.
