New York Film Academy to Open Institute in Nigeria

The world’s most prestigious film academy, the New York Film Academy, is to open its institute in Nigeria in February, 2010, as part of the its drive to train Nollywood actors and actresses for optimal competition in the international arena.

Chief Executive Officer of Del-York International, Linus Idahosa, who made the disclosure at a press briefing in Abuja, said: “With the coming of New York Film Academy, we are taking a very significant first step towards the birth of a new dawn in movie-making in our country by coming together to set the tone for  the entry of the world’s foremost film training school into Nigeria”.

While commending the Nigerian film industry as the champion for change, the Minister of Information and Communication, Prof Dora Akunyili, on her part, assured that the Federal Government will facilitate the regeneration of the film industry to intensify the training and production of quality film, by relegating the menace of piracy to the dustbin of history so that movie industry practitioners can reap their benefits.

She further urged Nollywood to try and balance its movie image of Nigeria with the good things that are happening in the country, as the film industry occupies a central place in changing the perception about the country and remains a key sector in the nation’s economy.
Also, the New York Film Academy, according to the organizers of the event, is driven by the desire for capital-need spectrum with one of the most fundamental constituents of competent personnel, that is prepared to train Nigerians in Lagos and Abuja in the area of quality movie production and spearheading the evolution of a world class film industry.

Meanwhile , the office of the Head of Service of the Federation has pledged to support the academy with  the Public Service Institute as a take off ground for the academy. Already, the Rivers State government is to send 120 of its indigenes for the training alongside the Niger-Delta Development Commission and Lagos State government.

While commenting on the importance of the academy to Nollywood, popular Actress, Stephanie Okereke said that, “the academy will bring a sense of direction for Nigerian Nollywood Stars and also provide a platform for practitioners to go back to the drawing board in order to recreate Nigeria as a good brand.”

Dignitaries at the event included Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Angel Losado, DG Nigerian Film and Video Censorship Board (NFVCB), Emeka Mba, Permanent Secretary (Political Affairs) in the Presidency and popular actor and inspirational speaker, Francis Duru, among others.

Source: