The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) says the Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF) has become a global creative symbol, celebrating storytellers, filmmakers, and audiences who bring African narratives to life.
Dr Ali Nuhu, Managing Director and Chief Executive of NFC, stated this during a press conference in Abuja, to unveil the 2025 Edition of Zuma International Film Festival.
The 2025 festival theme, “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force,” highlights film’s role in shaping perceptions, influencing culture, and building thriving creative economies.
Nuhu emphasised that the festival reminded Nigerians of film’s deeper purpose, beyond entertainment, to preserve memory, history, and project national identity through creative storytelling and international collaboration.
“Zuma has always aimed to amplify Nigeria’s creative voice.
“Across the world, film festivals connect ideas, people, and nations, creating platforms where culture meets economic opportunity,” Nuhu said.
He noted that Nigeria’s films had travelled from Lagos cinemas to international festivals in Berlin, Cairo, and Toronto, proving Africa’s creative voice was strong and globally respected.
“More than 3,156 films have been submitted for Zuma 2025, from countries including Nigeria, India, France, China, Egypt, and the U.S., spanning features, shorts, animations, music videos, and indigenous-language content.
“The global embrace of Zuma is no accident, it’s the result of intentional leadership, partnerships, and consistent effort to build a platform that welcomes diverse and bold storytelling,” Nuhu added.
He lauded the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa for backing the sector through initiatives like the Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP) and Creative Economic Development Fund, which empowered Nigeria’s creative future.
The NFC also acknowledged the support of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, led by Minister Nyesom Wike and Minister of State Dr Mariya Mahmoud, for sustaining Abuja as Zuma’s home.
Nuhu thanked President Bola Tinubu for recognising the creative sector’s role in national growth, saying his administration’s policies had given the industry renewed energy, funding, and international recognition.
He revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s film value chain, from training programmes and digitisation projects to regional office expansion and partnerships with global film archives.
Nuhu invited filmmakers, investors, sponsors, and creative partners to make Zuma 2025 a landmark event.
“Our doors are wide open for collaboration, support, and shared vision,” he said.
Quoting an African proverb, he said, “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter. Today, we are teaching our lions to write, with cameras, scripts, and vision.”
Musawa said the festival now represented global creative influence.
She lauded the Tinubu-led government for positioning film as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation and soft power.
She added that the creation of dedicated screen-related policies and funding mechanisms reflected the administration’s commitment to empowering the audiovisual and film production sectors for sustainable growth.
Festival Director Mrs Halima Oyelade, said the 2025 edition promised to celebrate cinematic excellence.
She applauded the NFC boss for visionary leadership and unwavering support for creative storytelling.
“Zuma exists because of your stories, your resilience, and your creativity,” Oyelade told filmmakers and creatives, also thanking sponsors and partners for making the festival’s vision possible.
Credit: (NAN)
