Nigeria and South Korea are exploring opportunities for cultural exchange, film collaboration and investment in the creative economy through the proposed Nigeria Cultural Heritage Week and Investment Expo.
Mr Israel Audu, Director-General, Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), made the disclosure on Wednesday in a statement in Kaduna.
Audu said that already fruitful arrangements were concluded at a stakeholders’ meeting organised ahead of the event scheduled for Dec. 2 to Dec. 3, in Seoul, South Korea.
Audu said the initiative would showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, promote locally made products and create business opportunities between Nigerian entrepreneurs and Korean investors.
He said Nigeria’s cultural diversity, including its music, films, fashion, festivals, crafts and cuisine, represented valuable economic assets capable of generating employment, while attracting investment and expanding exports.
According to Audu, South Korea offers an inspiring example of how culture, music, film and creative content can be developed into instruments of economic growth and international influence.
Audu said the proposed expo would also connect Nigeria’s creative industries with South Korea’s film, technology and entertainment sectors, while promoting cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation between both countries.
He identified a proposed Nigeria–South Korea film collaboration, titled “The Return of a Korean Man”, as one of the initiatives being explored to strengthen creative partnerships between the two countries.
He said the proposed feature film could create opportunities for co-production, skills transfer, film distribution and investment involving Nollywood, Kannywood and the Korean film industry.
Audu added that the initiative also envisaged professional training, content exchange, joint film projects and possible memoranda of understanding between relevant Nigerian and South Korean institutions.
He, however, noted that the proposed outcomes would require further consultations, technical discussions and the commitment of relevant institutions.
The KADIFF director-general called for effective coordination and sustained collaboration among government institutions, private-sector operators, cultural organisations and diplomatic representatives to ensure the success of the initiative.
He also solicited the continued guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on diplomatic engagement, protocol and coordination with Nigeria’s mission in Seoul.
Audu acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Nigerian Embassy in Seoul, the Kwara State Government, Mogaji Atanbo Cultural Heritage, Kannywood Cultural Heritage and other partners.
He said the initiative was designed not merely to showcase Nigerian culture abroad but also to establish lasting partnerships through which knowledge, skills, investment and business opportunities could flow between Nigeria and South Korea.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposed expo is expected to bring together cultural practitioners, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, tourism stakeholders, government representatives and prospective investors to explore opportunities for cooperation between both countries.(NAN)
