Shaibu Husseini, executive director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has called for more film festivals across Nigeria to promote filmmaking, networking and tourism.

He made the call in an interview on Friday at the ongoing 23rd Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF).

The 2026 edition of the festival is being held in Abuja from October 20 to 25, bringing together filmmakers, actors, regulators and other stakeholders in the creative and tourism sectors.

Mr Husseini commended AIFF for its consistency, describing it as West Africa’s longest-running independently organised film festival, sustained by founder Fidelis Duker and his company.

“Longevity tells you that the festival will continue. If it didn’t stop at 22, if it didn’t stop at 20, if it didn’t stop at 10 and it’s now at 23, it means that we’ll witness 24, we’ll witness 25,” he said.

He said independently run festivals require passion and consistency to survive, commending the organisers for sustaining AIFF for more than two decades.

“You don’t find this kind of festival anywhere in the world surviving more than a few editions,” he said.

Mr Husseini said festivals provide platforms for filmmakers to showcase their work, build professional connections and gain exposure, while also attracting visitors and promoting Nigeria’s cultural offerings.

“This is almost like a thankless thing. You give platforms for filmmakers to get to the top,” he said.

He urged organisers to establish more festivals across states and local government areas, including events dedicated to children’s films and gender-related issues.

“We need a festival for each state of the federation. If we can afford it, we need one for each local government,” he said.

According to him, a regular calendar of film festivals would promote tourism, encourage professional networking and facilitate knowledge-sharing among filmmakers.

“If we have a calendar of 37 festivals and we’re having one every month, or two, or four, as the case may be, you know what it will do to boost our tourism,” he said.

Mr Husseini expressed hope that policies being developed by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy and its agencies would support independent festivals that promote Nigeria’s film industry.

AIFF festival director Temitope Duker said the 23rd edition was expanding international engagement, particularly through partnerships between Nigeria and China.

Ms Duker said the festival was strengthening its relationships with the Chinese Embassy, NTA Startimes Nigeria and the Chinese Cultural Centre, while hosting a high-level delegation from the China Film Administration.

Ms Duker said the collaboration sought to establish pathways for film co-productions, professional training, technology transfer and distribution agreements between the Nigerian and Chinese film industries.

She said the festival featured more than 90 local and international films representing over 120 nations, alongside masterclasses and discussions on artificial intelligence ethics and international film distribution.

(NAN)