The Spanish government has renewed its promise to continue to assist the Nigerian motion picture industry, especially through institutions such as the Nigerian Film Corporation and the National Film Institute.

The intention to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Spain, through cultural orientation, motion picture co-production, film markets, training and capacity building.

The Spanish government through, its Cultural Attaché at the Spanish Embassy in Abuja, Eva Barta, disclosed this when she paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Film Corporation head office and the National Film Institute, both in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Wednesday, December 5, 2007.

Recounting her country's continuous support for the development of the Nigerian motion picture sector, the attaché enumerated her government's further programmes and commitments to the Nigerian motion picture industry.

These include the creation of platforms for the exchange of film projects and co-production activities between both nations.

She recalled that the first colloquium on cinema held in Lagos earlier in the year, where basic decisions were arrived at on how to promote the cultures of both countries through motion picture production, was her country's major projects for Africa, otherwise known as the “African Plan”.

“In order to enforce the plan, we decided that it is pertinent to meet with the Nigerian Film Corporation so as to see her facilities and be familiar with its services,” she said.

She added that her country had assisted film practitioners in Nigeria by offering specialised training and sponsorships for script development, especially those that promote cultural values.

Welcoming the Spanish official, the Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, gave insight into the statutory mandate and functions of the corporation. Similarly, he informed his guest on the various achievements recorded so far.

According to a statement signed by NFC's head of Public Affairs, Brian Etuk, Adesanya said programmes such as “SHOOT!” training workshop, NFC Annual Film Essay Competition and ZUMA Film Festival, among others, organised by the corporation had impacted much on the sector.

“We are basically concerned in ensuring the development and sustenance of Nigeria's motion picture industry,” he added.

He further stated that although the motion picture industry otherwise known as Nollywood had really projected the Nigerian image around the globe, it still needed the involvement of the corporation as a regulatory and developmental agency, all to sensitise film production activities.

According to Mr. Adesanya, the advantages of the celluloid format cannot be overemphasised. This, he said, was why the corporation was deeply involved in encouraging practitioners to take to celluloid production parallel to home video production, as the former would give Nigeria a better chance at international film festivals and markets.