“Film festivals promote networking, cultural exchange, and diversity. It also aids in the marketability and distribution of our products, artistic innovation, and experimentation. It is also useful for community engagement and economic impact,” Ezeigbo said, adding that the calendar will be published annually and updated as more festivals come on board. Some of the festivals listed on the 2024 calendar are Coal City Film Festival which will hold between March 21 and March 23, Eko International Film Festival billed for April 2024, iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival, African Indigenous Language Film Festival billed for July, Kaduna International Film Festival billed for August, Bayelsa International Film Festival billed for September, Abuja International Film Festival which is in its 21st edition, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) organised Zuma Film Festival, the Lagos International Film Festival, Jos International Film Festival, Badagry International Film, Cultural and Sports Festival, and the Kano Indigenous Language of Africa Film Market and Festival billed to hold in the city of Kano as from November 26 to 30, 2024.
Others are the Rivers International Film Festival, slated for October 25 through October 27, the Kingdom Film Festival, the Reel Women International Film Festival, and the Victor Thompson Inyang-founded Uyo International Theatre and Film Festival, which is billed for October 3 to October 5, 2024. The NFFA is the umbrella body that was established in 2023 to coordinate and regulate all film festivals in Nigeria. The association is currently chaired by accomplished filmmaker and founder of the Coal City Film Festival, Uche Agbo. Information on the festivals can be sourced at www.nigerianfilmfestivals.org.
