IN a bid to showcase the great achievements, impact, and investment opportunities that abound in the Nigerian film industry on a global platform, government agencies, in collaboration with stakeholders in the motion picture industry, staged an interactive session at the recently held 66th Edition of the Cannes International Film Festival, in France.

At the well attended forum, filmmakers from around the world, including potential investors averred that the Nigeria Film Industry was indeed ripe for concerted and sustained investment inflow to enable it attract foreign and domestic investment and promotion of the sector.

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) is leading other government agencies, which includes, the National Film and Video Census Board (NFVCB), NEXIM Bank and the Lagos State Government (Film & Video Censors Department) to this year’s Cannes International Film Festival, which had in attendance several other Nigerian filmmakers, critics and Journalists.

NEXIM Bank representative at the Forum and Technical Adviser to the Managing Director, Mr. Hope Yango, informed that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Agencies for Film matters, should be encouraged to position Nollywood as an international brand that would attract investment to match the estimated N120 billion assessments envisaged for the industry.

A Collective Management Organisation for the Nigerian Film Industry, the Forum was informed, was being established in Nigeria to address copyright and residual value management from film production activities for film makers, just as participants averred the need for the setting up of more Cineplex’s and Theatres in Nigeria.

Mr. Tekena Benibo (NFC), Madam Patricia Bala (Ag. DG, NFVCB), Yongo (NEXIM Bank), Victor Akande (Art Editor, Nation Newspaper), Alex Eyengho (President, ANCOP), Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, (Immediate Past MD, NFC), Kunle Afolayan (Film Maker) and a host of others from Nigeria are attending the Festival. The Nigerian pavilion at the festival has recorded over 800 footfalls since the festival began.