As part of its efforts to grow the creative industry, foster youth innovation and promote the creative sector, Edo State Government has partnered with the German Film Academy to enhance the creative skills of young filmmakers and drive innovation in the creative industry.
The collaboration is aimed towards equipping local filmmakers with advanced equipment and techniques, prepare them for the future and promote the growth of the sector.
During a meeting with the German Film Academy at Government House in Benin City, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Edo State’s receptiveness to investments, particularly in the creative sector, which holds significant growth potential. She also appreciated the collaboration from the Academy and extended an invitation for further partnerships, while encouraging mutual learning from Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
According to her, “I am excited that we are having this exchange programme. Edo State is open to investment of all kinds. The creative industry, in particular, remains largely untapped, presenting a significant opportunity for growth and development. We are grateful for your partnership and invite you to explore more collaborations with us. We also invite you to learn from our unique cultural context and experiences, as Africa and Nigeria are blessed with rich creative potential”.
Her Excellency highlighted the State’s cultural heritage and creative potential stressing that Edo State is open to investment, especially in the creative sector. “We are people of culture and we are proud of our rich cultural heritage, which has been reignited by the return of our artifacts and we are grateful to the German Government.
This underscores our deep connection to art and creativity, dating back to centuries. Our people are known for their intelligence, industriousness, and hard work particularly the Edolites, who are eager to collaborate. As I mentioned earlier, our State is open to investment, and the creative sector is a key area for growth. We are excited about the film project you mentioned and look forward to exploring opportunities for partnership”.
Mrs. Anani further expressed her passion about the knowledge exchange, hoping it will not only educate and enlighten people about societal issues but also authentically showcase Nigerian culture. She extended a warm welcome to the visitors, encouraging them to explore local attractions like Igun Street and experience the rich cultural heritage of Edo State.
Earlier, the Edo State Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy, and the Team Lead, Ambassador Solomon Okosun, stated that local filmmakers in Benin are getting trained by the German Film Academy, using cutting-edge equipment for a film project. According to him, “I am here with the leaders of the German Film Academy for the upcoming workshop they are conducting in Benin. We are collaborating with the Creative Hub. We have six students from the German Film Academy. In return, they are providing advanced training to our indigenous filmmakers. We will provide twelve and they will select six. By doing so, they are helping us expand the knowledge of these young filmmakers, preparing them for the future”.
He also added that the workshop has the potential to expose local filmmakers to advanced equipment and global film standards through a collaborative programme with the German Film Academy. The programme, according to him, includes three weeks of training in Benin and one week at the Nollywood Film Festival in Lagos, with the top two performers receiving further training in Germany.
Also speaking, the Project Manager, Nollywood workshop 2025, from the Filmakademie Ludwigsburg Germany, Abel Alechenu highlighted a three year partnership between Edo State and the German Film Academy, starting in 2023. He noted that the project selects local filmmakers for training in Germany, with the goal of sharing knowledge and promoting cross-cultural exchange. The programme partners with organizations like GIZ and uses advanced equipment, including ARRI cameras.
