Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given update on the proposed 100 million dollar African Film City project to be established in Epe area of the state.
Lagos State government in October 2022, announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Del-York Group for the construction of the project.
Giving update on the project in Lagos on Thursday, the Governor said construction of the film city will begin before the end of this month.
Sanwo-Olu who spoke at a news conference on the forthcoming 12th African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), at the Government House, Marina, Lagos the film city is intended to enhance originality in content creation in Nollywood – Nigeria’s film industry.
“We have great plans underway, first, is that we will be doing the groundbreaking for the African Film City before the end of this month.
“The film city would be on 100 hectares of land in Epe and it is massive. We just want to take the lead in Lagos State.
“We are hoping that the first set of studio should be ready from 24 to 30 months right after the groundbreaking.
“I have been to a few studios in the United States of America, like Prime studio, Sugarland and more, they are excited and promised to come down here.
Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that the state government would be doubling the capacity-building support for talented young industry players to enhance their skills in modern filmmaking.
He also disclosed that grants for filmmakers would be increased henceforth to enable them operate seamlessly.
“Secondly, we are also going to be doubling our monetary support and training for upcoming players in the industry as well as increase grants for film producers, we will be doubling whatever it is we have done in the past,” he said.
The governor urged the practitioners to use their ingenuity to create ‘Africanised’ content that would change the continent’s socio-cultural narrative, adding that through this, the world would know Nigeria is ready.
“I am excited that the 12th AFRIFF is around the corner to further showcase the original local content to the world.
“The festival has offered a platform for young talents to flourish. I believe this year’s event will be the biggest.
“We are excited as a government to be part of it. We believe this is the right thing to do. It is only when we can hold ourselves together and tell our stories that the world will understand our history.”
(NAN)
