By Charles Ajunwa
The Germany-Nigeria Film Week will return for its second version from October 4 to 9, 2027, with plans to develop its programme, deepen business participation and strengthen worldwide partnerships following the inaugural version held throughout 4 German cities in 2026.
The six-day competition is anticipated to construct on the momentum of its maiden version, which introduced collectively filmmakers, authorities representatives, cultural establishments and inventive business stakeholders from Nigeria and Germany to advertise cinematic collaboration and strengthen cultural relations between the 2 international locations.
Established as a platform for Nigerian and German filmmakers to attach, alternate concepts, develop partnerships and discover enterprise alternatives, the competition additionally seeks to advertise Nigerian cinema to wider European audiences and create alternatives for worldwide distribution and movie co-production.
The inaugural version, which lasted 10 days, featured movie screenings, cultural exchanges, business engagements and awards throughout Berlin, Hannover, Bremen and Hamburg. It showcased Nigerian productions whereas creating alternatives for dialogue between filmmakers and representatives of each international locations’ artistic industries.
The competition opened on the Arsenal Film Institut in Berlin with a screening of The Chronicles of Afrobeats, directed by Nigerian filmmaker and music government Oluseun John Abisagboola, popularly often known as Bankuli.
The opening programme additionally featured a fireplace chat between the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu, and the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini. Their dialogue examined the expansion of the Nigerian movie business, worldwide partnerships and alternatives for collaboration between Nigerian and German filmmakers.
Among the dignitaries on the occasion have been Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang, and the Director of Arsenal Film Institut, Stefanie Schulte Strathaus, alongside filmmakers, producers and different artistic business stakeholders from each international locations.
A significant spotlight of the Berlin opening was the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to famend German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff in recognition of his contributions to worldwide cinema. Schlöndorff, whose profession spans a number of a long time, has additionally filmed documentaries throughout Africa, together with Nigeria.
A Special Recognition Award was additionally introduced to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for her contributions to the event and promotion of Nigeria’s artistic business. The award was acquired on her behalf by Husseini.
The competition subsequently moved to Hannover, the place SONNENKINDFILM e.V., led by Michael Davies, co-founder of the Germany-Nigeria Film Week, hosted a press convention attended by competition delegates, filmmakers and business representatives. A Special Recognition Award was introduced to Chief Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, in recognition of his contributions to the promotion and preservation of African tradition and heritage.
The Hannover programme featured screenings of Amanyanabo: The Eagle King, produced by veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ibinabo Fiberesima and directed by Fred Amata and Fiberesima, in addition to Evi, directed by Uyoyou Adia.
Adia acquired an award in recognition of her creativity and creative achievement in directing Evi, whereas Fiberesima was additionally honoured for her contributions to the Nigerian movie business.
Festival actions prolonged to Bremen and Hamburg, the place Love and New Notes, directed by Kayode Kasum, was screened in each cities. On Different Grounds, directed by Mildred Okwo, was additionally screened in Bremen.
The Germany-Nigeria Film Week was based by Mykel Parish Ajaere of the Pan-African Film Development and Advancement Foundation (PAFDAF), Nigeria, and Michael Davies of SONNENKINDFILM e.V., Germany, to advertise movie collaboration, cultural alternate, worldwide distribution and co-production alternatives between the 2 international locations.
The inaugural version acquired institutional and logistical assist from the Office of the Mayor of the City of Hannover, Arsenal Film Institut Berlin, KoKi Cinema Hannover, City 46 Cinema Bremen and Metropolis Kino Hamburg.
The Nigerian Film Corporation and the NFVCB additionally supported the initiative, reinforcing its goal of constructing sustainable partnerships between the Nigerian and German movie industries.
With the second version scheduled for October 2027, the organisers are anticipated to construct on the connections established in the course of the inaugural competition and develop alternatives for filmmakers and different business stakeholders to have interaction throughout borders.
