Nigeria Makes History With French First Film Cinema
By Rashidat Akashat with agency reports
The first French cinema fiesta in Nigeria “My French Film Festival”, made its first debut on Thursday night at the French Cultural Centre (Institut franacais) in Abuja.
The Cultural Programme Officer of the French cultural Centre Lea Granados, told NAN in the Federal Capital Territory, that the festival was designed to give Nigerians an insight into the diversity and wealth of the French cinema.
French Film Festival Started Seven Years Ago
The Programme Officer explained that the French Film Festival was launched online in France, just seven years ago.
“The Festival has selected films already with the 2017 edition, so we decided to screen some of them that we feel are the best for the Nigerian audience.
The idea is to provide the Nigerian public with a sought of insight into the diverse new comedy films coming from the French film industry” she said.
Giving further insights, Granados explained that the Festival which features public film screenings, is scheduled to take place from the 22nd – 25th of February at the Institut francais in Abuja and Alliance francais in Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu.
Jos, Illorin, Owerri and Maiduguri were the other regions she listed.
The First Simultaneous French Event In Nigeria
Granados expressed her excitement about the cultural event being the first ever to take place simultaneously across institutions of the French cultural network in Nigeria.
She also noted that beyond the expression of culture and entertainment the event seeks to offer, the French cinema would strengthen the bonds and cultural ties between the two countries.
“This is also very good because the French cultural network is very strong in Nigeria.
“French cinema is already well represented in most of the Alliances françaises in the country, who organises regular film screenings followed by discussions, for the general public or for their students.
“In Abuja, the Institut français also has a regular cinema programme and has organised large-scale cinema events that showcased the diversity and richness of French culture and artistes, “she noted.
She added that the films to be screened include feature films, short films and animated films which “are suitable for all ages and are subtitled in English.”
The French Nationals and that of other Francophone countries, students and entertainment stakeholders were present at the event.
