by Michael Dibie | Abuja
Nigeria and Turkey have expressed the need to solidify the existing relationship between the two countries by building and improving on culture through film production. Representatives of the two countries made this call at the Northern Nigeria-Turkey creative Exchange and Cinematic collaboration held in at the Turkey embassy in Abuja.
The event which featured the screening of two short films “Eno” and “Cemile” from both countries, was organized by the Northern film Summit in partnership with Yenus Emre Institute.
Head, political officer, Turkey Embassy, Muzaffer Hakan Tok, explained that the existing collaboration between Nigeria and Turkey is mostly focused on trade and defense. “It would be recalled that in January this year, the authority in Turkey hosted President Ahmed Tinubu in Ankara, Turkey where he met with president Tayyip Erdogan and both spoke on how to improve on defense and economic relation between the two countries and the embassy is trying to build
on it” he said.
He also noted that they are trying to build on the area of culture
by hosting the screening of two films from Nigeria and Turkey in partnership with Kaduna film festival. “So, we are trying to develop cultural relationship between artists from the two countries”.
According to him, the embassy is trying to improve on a relationship with artists, especially Nigeria artists and also connect them with artists in Turkey adding that film is a useful tool for the mission so they can find opportunities.
“Here in Abuja, we have a platform where we feature both Nigeria and Turkey artist, we are also trying to build a space here at the embassy for the creative industry so we can bring artists from Nigeria and Turkey together which will contribute to culture and diplomacy.
Founder, Northern film festival, Israel Audu said the visit of president Tinubu to Turkey where he spoke in line with the area of security and trade collaboration has been productive adding that the two countries have been working together to promote trade and now cultural exchange.
According to him, Film has power to challenge stereotypes and transform peace and as such Northern Nigeria stories are rich and relevant helping collaboration and the relationship between the two countries which is currently growing through tourism and economic growth.
He reiterated that the Ambassador of Turkey is interested in having a collaboration between the film industry in Turkey and in Nigeria.
“Turkey has a very rich film culture although not as much as Nigeria, from the film screened today, it shows that they have a cinema culture but from the what I know, they are focusing more on television production more than film production because most of the producers and directors find market in that area in the country. So, we are looking for a way of collaborating with them in that area because they are experts in television production,” he noted.
He said the creative motive is bright, and urged all creative minds to key into the collaboration between Turkey and Nigeria.
