By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
The Asian Community in Nigeria has started the Sixth edition of its Asian Film Festival in Abuja, Nigeria .
The festival is aimed at strengthening the cultural diplomacy and fostering artistic collaboration, between Nigeria and Asian countries.
The festival, which started at the China Cultural Center, leverages power of cinema in promoting mutual understanding and economic opportunities.
The Director, China Cultural Center in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, said the festival is an avenue to strengthen ties between Asia and Nigeria.
“This festival celebrates teamwork, shared spirit, and the value of learning from each other to build a community with a shared future. The festival brings happiness and allows us to share stories that reflect the unique traditions, values, and creativity of Asia. It builds a bridge between Asia and Nigeria, helping us understand each other better”, he said
The Envoy explained that: “The centerpiece of the festival, the screening of the Chinese film Monster Hunt, exemplifies the fusion of fantasy, humor, and cultural themes. The movie, which tells the story of a hero and heroine rescuing the son of a former monster king, showcases Chinese Kung Fu and explores profound questions about human nature. I hope everyone can enjoy the movie and other great films from Asian countries and Nigeria,” Jianxing added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Mr. Raphael Oraeluno, stressed that promoting the cultural industry would create job opportunities.
“International cooperation enhances the sharing of knowledge, resources, and innovative ideas. Cultural exchange in the film industry not only deepens ties but also creates avenues for economic growth. Promoting our cultural industries leads to job creation, supports local economies, and enhances cultural heritage tourism. When we invest in our creative economies, we are not just investing in the arts; we are investing in the future”, he stressed.
Mr. Oraeluno further called for policies that would boost cultural exchanges and partnerships, between Nigeria and Asia.
“It is imperative that we champion more policies that support cultural exchange and encourage partnerships between Nigeria and China. By doing so, we can create platforms for emerging artists and filmmakers, ensuring that their voices are heard and that their stories are told. Each story has the power to change perceptions, to inspire, and to heal divisions”. He said
He added that platforms like the festival provides emerging artists and filmmakers with opportunities to share their narratives, which have the potential to change perceptions and foster global empathy.
“Each film presented at this festival is not merely a work of art; it is a dialogue of perspectives that prompts reflection, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding. May we continue to elevate the arts in our societies and foster an environment where creativity flourishes. Together,we can build a future where dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect are at the forefront of our cultural endeavours”, he added.
Other Asian countries at the event emphasized the importance of cross-cultural dialogue in enhancing global understanding as the festival is a platform of sharing stories that reflect the unique traditions, values, and creativity of Asia and Nigeria, build the bridge between Asia and Nigeria, as well enable them understand each other better.
The four-day film festival, which underscores the broader role of cinema as a medium that transcends geographical boundaries, had participants from Asian countries of China, India, Iran, Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, Japan, Malaysia and the host country Nigeria.
