BENIN CITY – As part of efforts to grow the creative industry, foster youth innovation, and promote creative enterprise, the Edo State Government has entered into a partnership with the German Film Academy to enhance the skills of young filmmakers and drive innovation in the creative sector.
The collaboration is designed to equip local filmmakers with advanced techniques and tools, preparing them for global competitiveness while strengthening Edo’s creative economy.
During a meeting with officials of the German Film Academy at Government House, Benin City, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, expressed excitement about the partnership, describing Edo as open to foreign investment, especially in the creative sector.
“I am excited that we are having this exchange programme. Edo State is open to investment of all kinds. The creative industry, in particular, remains largely untapped, presenting a significant opportunity for growth and development.
“We are grateful for your partnership and invite you to explore more collaborations with us. We also invite you to learn from our unique cultural context and experiences, as Africa and Nigeria are blessed with rich creative potential,” she said.
Mrs. Anani highlighted the State’s rich cultural heritage, citing the global return of Benin artifacts as evidence of Edo’s enduring artistic identity. “Our people are known for their intelligence, industriousness, and hard work. We are proud of our heritage, which underscores our deep connection to art and creativity dating back centuries,” she added.
She encouraged the visiting delegation to explore local attractions like Igun Street and experience Edo’s cultural vibrancy.
Earlier, the Edo State Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy, Ambassador Solomon Okosun, said that the collaboration would include a film workshop in Benin City, involving six students from the German Film Academy and 12 indigenous filmmakers.
He said the programme features three weeks of training in Benin City and one week at the Nollywood Film Festival in Lagos, with top two performers proceeding to Germany for advanced training.
Ambassador Okosun noted that the exchange would expose Edo’s young creatives to advanced film equipment and international production standards.
Also speaking, Project Manager for the Nollywood Workshop 2025 from the Filmakademie Ludwigsburg, Germany, Mr. Abel Alechenu, said the initiative represents a three-year partnership between Edo State and the German Film Academy that began in 2023.
He explained that the project, supported by the German Development Agency (GIZ), focuses on knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and the use of high-end filmmaking tools, including ARRI cameras.
