Zuma International Film Festival 2025 set for Abuja as NFC vows to boost Nigeria’s creative economy and global storytelling influence
Zuma International Film Festival has been officially announced by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) as it prepares to host the 2025 edition in Abuja, reaffirming its mission to position Nigeria as Africa’s foremost creative hub and a centre for cinematic excellence.
The world press conference, held on Monday at the Vento Showroom, Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja, brought together top stakeholders from the film industry, government institutions, and global partners.
Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFC, Dr. Ali Nuhu, said the festival scheduled for December 1 to 5 would build on its legacy as a premier platform for cultural exchange, investment, and global storytelling.
“Since its debut in 1993, the Zuma International Film Festival has become a living symbol of our creative pride — a celebration of the stories that define us, the filmmakers who give them life, and the audiences who carry them forward,” Nuhu said.
He described film as more than entertainment — “it is memory, history, and soft power capable of shaping how the world sees Nigeria.”
This year’s theme, “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force,” underscores the growing influence of cinema in driving economic and cultural diplomacy across Africa.
Nuhu revealed that the 2025 edition had received over 3,156 film submissions from countries including Nigeria, India, France, China, South Africa, Egypt, the United States, Spain, Germany, Tunisia, and Iran.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the creative sector, and to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her continued support.
“When leadership invests in art, a nation invests in its identity,” Nuhu said, while also commending the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), led by Barr. Nyesom Wike and Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for co-hosting the festival.
In her remarks, Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa praised the NFC for its consistency in sustaining the Zuma Festival as a global brand that strengthens Nigeria’s creative economy.
“Nigeria’s film industry, widely known as Nollywood, remains a reflection of our rich cultural heritage and a vital contributor to national development,” she said.
She noted that the Tinubu administration’s initiatives — including IDICE, CLAP, and the Creative Economic Development Fund (CEDF) — have continued to create jobs and foster sustainable growth in the creative space.
Musawa added that the Zuma International Film Festival is not only a cinematic celebration but also a strategic platform to expand investment and position Nigeria’s film industry globally.
The Minister announced a series of special events for the 2025 edition, including the NFC Film Annual Lecture, the Emerging Talent Showcase, the Film Trade & Finance Forum, Co-Production and Pitching Sessions, daily screenings, and the ZUMA Awards Night.
“Together, we can amplify the voice of Nigerian and African cinema to the world,” she declared. “I look forward to welcoming everyone to Abuja this December for an exciting and impactful event.”
The 2025 Zuma International Film Festival, organised by the NFC in partnership with the FCTA, promises to be a dynamic convergence of filmmakers, investors, policymakers, and creative entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond.
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