Nigeria’s premier film training institution, the National Film Institute, Jos, has continued to savour domestic and international recognitions, as well as commendations for being at the forefront of training the nation’s next generation of storytellers that will shape the narratives of Nigeria and Africa.
Dr. Ali Nuhu, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), spoke extensively on the contributions of the Institute in upscaling the soft, yet potent power of film as a tool for national and global cohesion through training and capacity building. Declaring open the first edition of the European Union (EU) – National Film Institute (NFI) Students Film Festival, on Tuesday, October 21st 2025, at the National Film Institute, Jos, Plateau State, Dr. Nuhu reaffirmed the Institute’s resolve to develop talents and skills of young Nigerians into world class filmmakers.
According to Dr. Nuhu, the theme of the film festival “Reel Harmony: Rebuilding Bridges Through Film and Culture” further underscores NFI’s mandate and commitment towards empowering present and future storytellers who will sustain the promotion, growth and development of Nigeria’s creative economy including the protection of her national identity.
“It is therefore our collective responsibility to nurture talent, provide learning tools and platforms for upcoming filmmakers; Nuhu further said. He commended the European Union for sustaining, as well as expanding the frontiers of their support for intercultural dialogue through cinema. “Their partnership underscores a shared belief that film and culture are essential tools for peacebuilding, nation building, and sustainable development”.
Dr. Nuhu emphasized that the Students’ Film Festival hosted in partnership with the European Union represents one of Nigeria’s most vibrant creative incubating platforms. The next generation of Nigerian and African storytellers he said, are not only being trained in the craft of filmmaking but are also being empowered with utilization skills for the promotion of cultural ethics, real dialogues, and patriotic representations, through film festival platforms.
Zissimos Vergos, the Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to Nigeria, who represented the Ambassador, Gauter Mignot, in his remarks, commended the NFI for leading other institutions, in sustaining Jos, as the cradle of creativity, skills and talent development in Nigeria.
The joint hosting of the film festival is a testament to the impressive impact the Film Institute has had on Nigeria’s cultural promotion and creative ecosystem since its establishment, he averred. Cultural promotion activities and investment by the EU and its partners in Nigeria will continue to draw inspiration from the successes of platforms such as the Students’ film festival. Zuma International Film Festival, scheduled for December 1-5, 2025 in Abuja, he said, has already been identified for sustainable partnership and collaboration.
Cornelius Doeyok, Plateau State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, commended the mounting of the film festival, Jos, which he described as timely, given the tremendous transformation of critical creative economy infrastructure across the State.
Nnenna Mba, NFI’s Acting Rector, in her welcome remarks, described the Students’ film festival “as a vibrant celebration of creativity, learning and artistic growth”. As an essential extension of film education, “it bridges classroom learning, and promote professional film industry opportunities”.
The three day Students’ film festival, with Masterclasses, Daily Film Screenings, Competitive Film Project Pitching Sessions, Film Awards as major features; and curated by the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF), ends on Thursday, October 23rd 2025.
