THE Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB), has entered into a partnership with Zee World to project short films from Nigerian film-makers on their platform in 52 countries.
According to media reports, the incentives for the films' projections will be a monthly online poll for the best short films, which would attract generous cash rewards, grant more visibility, and offer a platform for distribution.
Executive Secretary, LSFVCB, Mrs Bukola Agbaminoja, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting, said the partnership and several other crafted initiatives would provide abundant opportunities for the Nigerian film-makers when actualised.
She affirmed that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s initiatives had brought succour and development to the practitioners and the industry as a whole.
Agbaminoja added that in another couple of weeks, some set of beneficiaries for the film fund would emerge, while various government-sponsored training programmes for creatives and technical practitioners in the film industry are ongoing in different local councils of the state.
“The Lagos State Film City is also becoming a reality as work has commenced on the site, this and many more initiatives have been rolled out by the governor for benefit of the industry,” she explained
Chief Executive Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Indian Ocean Islands, Mr Somnath Malakar, said Nigeria was chosen ahead other African countries because of her biggest economy in Africa, growing economy, love for movies, family colour, cultural values, vibrancy, ceremonies and festivals, among other qualities that unite Nigeria and India.
He said that the vehicle for the collaboration tagged “Zee Afro Flicks,” would involve short films of about 20 minutes duration to be produced in English or any of the Nigerian languages and then subtitled in English.
