Korea Seeks To Expand Connections With Nigerians

Korea Film Festival is expanding connections between Nigerians and Koreans by incorporating a Nigerian film at the festival for the first time this year.

This feat was made possible in collaboration with the Nigeria Film Festival Association (NFFA), an umbrella body comprising existing film festivals in the country.

While the festival has maintained its core objective of introducing Korean culture to Nigerians through films for the past 13 years, organisers have noted that many Nigerians are now familiar with Korean culture, hence their search for newer audiences.

“We are trying not just to show Nigerian films but connect with the Nigerian people, which is one of the biggest challenges of organising the festival,” said Yunjin Lee, Event Manager, Korea Culture Centre Nigeria.

“The Nigerian film we screened on day two of the festival, August 22, focuses on a real-life event in Nigeria. We want new Nigerian audiences. That is why we want to broaden our connections with NFFA and other film festivals based in Nigeria,” said Lee.

Commending the centre and the Korean Embassy in Nigeria for sustaining the festival for the past 13 years, Chairman, NFFA, Uche Agbor, urged other embassies to emulate Korea’s example, as such platforms “offer local filmmakers an opportunity to tap into the world of cinema of the country being projected”.

“NFFA would like to further engage (the centre) on how we can promote what is happening here today. We are also willing to collaborate in that regard.”

KCCN Director, Jeon Ju-ho stressed that, “the festival is not just about watching films, but about building a bridge between Nigeria and Korea; a bridge between cultures and communities. In the future, I’d like to engender a cultural exchange in this area.”

Meanwhile, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, urged Nigerian artistes to embrace and be inspired by the lessons and values of the Korean Film Festival.

While commending young Nigerian artistes’ role in fostering the global visibility of Nigeria’s cultures “in a manner that fosters people-to-people connection”, Muhammad said, “The festival is a testament of the growing bond between Nigeria and Korea. I commend the Korean Ambassador and the KCCN Director for organising this event. I encourage all present to learn from one another, forge meaningful connections, and promote cultural understanding.”

Founded in 2013 by the KCCN with the support of the Korean Embassy in Nigeria, the Korea Film Festival is an annual, three-day event focused on promoting Korean culture to Nigerians through films.