Film festivals were described as effective vehicle for networking, capacity building and exchange of ideas among filmmakers and other stakeholders in the industry.

This assertion was contained in an address by the minister of information and communications, Mr. John Ogar Odey, at the opening ceremony of the 4th Abuja International Film and Video Festival yesterday.

The minister reiterated that his ministry is fully committed to the development of the movie sector which he recognised as a potent force for the development of the cultural, social, moral and economic development of our nation. He pointed out that film festivals like the Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Venice, Bangkok and Toronto ones have contributed to developing the economic, tourism and cultural industries of their respective host-countries.

"There is no doubt that the fourth Abuja International Film and Video Festival marks an important step towards strengthening Nigeria's position as the film base for Nigeria and Africa cinema. The festival promises to offer a full range of Nollywood and international films via screening to the Abuja audience."

Odey added that film and video are a unique and primary source of information, education, enlightenment and entertainment, which has gravitated film to the epicenter of our nation-building efforts. He said the potentials of the motion picture industry as a mirror of Nigeria and Nigerians are enormous, even as the Nigerian film and video productions tell our stories in our own way.

Earlier in his speech, the coordinator of the festival, Mr. Fidelis Durker, expressed his gratitude to the ministry of information for the support given to the festival. He said the fourth edition of the festival has come with a difference, adding that it was all due to the support given to them by the federal government and fellow stakeholders in the industry.

Prominent stakeholders in the film industry were in attendance. The northern film industry was represented by the president of Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPAN), Malam Sani Mu'azu, Dr. Ahmed Sarari and Malam Abdullahi Maikano Usman, vice president and secretary-general of MOPPAN respectively.

This year's event was tagged: "Film as vehicle for tourism development."