The federal government has applauded Nollywood's resilience and growing global influence as the 15th edition of the Zuma International Film Festival opened in Abuja.
In her opening remarks at the event, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa, described Nollywood as one of Nigeria's strongest symbols of innovation and creative disruption.
She said the industry's transformation from Video Home System (VHS) tapes in the early 1990s to a billion-dollar powerhouse continues to shape global conversations about African storytelling.
Musawa commended the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) for attracting an international jury, foreign directors and films, noting that the diversity of entries and participants reflects Nigeria's expanding footprint in global cinema.
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She stressed the need to document Nollywood's evolution to preserve its legacy, warning that unrecorded achievements may be wrongly credited elsewhere.
She urged broadcasters, commissioning producers and television stations to help tell the story of the industry's beginnings as well as its modern successes.
"If you understand the trajectory of Nollywood, you know it is all about disruption. Creatives are often disruptors. They may not be acknowledged initially, but later they are saluted. The pioneers created innovations long before disruption became a buzzword," she said.
The minister also praised the Director General of the Nigerian Film Corporation for sustaining the festival despite challenges and reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to expanding opportunities for Nigerian storytellers across film, music, literature and visual arts.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu, described the festival as a reflection of Nigeria's identity as a nation of storytellers and cultural innovators.
He said the 2025 theme: "Storytelling for global influence: film as soft power and economic force," underscored cinema's growing relevance in shaping perceptions and strengthening national visibility.
"Across borders and digital platforms, our narratives are shaping conversations and opening doors for new collaborations. Film is not only entertainment, it is diplomacy, it is heritage, it is economic strategy.
"It is how nations shape perceptions and build bridges. Through the festival, we will explore how cinema can deepen cultural exchange, attract meaningful investment and strengthen the creative value chain from development to distribution," he narrated.
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Nuhu explained that this year's programme, which includes masterclasses, roundtables, co-production forums, embassy-hosted national days, exhibitions and the Zuma Film Awards, was curated to unlock opportunities and elevate emerging talent.
In his goodwill message, the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shuaib Husseini, said the Nigerian film industry had "conquered Nigeria and the continent" and must now work toward a deeper global presence. He urged practitioners to embrace film as both soft power and an economic force.
"It's a festival, not a time for long speeches. I'll be here throughout to network, meet people and join the conversations," he said.
