Lagos as film location for other African countries, by Kunle Afolayan

There is an aggressive marketing of Lagos State as a film and tourism destination at the ongoing Cannes International Film Festival, South of France.
Popular filmmaker, actor and member of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Kunle Afolayan is on the train of a delegation consisting celebrities, government officials, diplomats and journalists who are flying the flag of Nigeria at the Pantiero Village where the Lagos State pavilion is located.
“Lagos, to a large extent, is the hub of film making in Nigeria. And the Executive Governor of Lagos State is so keen and highly interested in motion pictures and the arts generally, which is why the Cinema in Lagos magazine and so many other things have been commissioned,” said Afolayan, during the official presentation of ‘Cinema in Lagos’ journal in Cannes on Friday.
According to the filmmaker, “This is just to set the ball rolling; to let the world know that Lagos is highly interested in partnering the rest of the world as far as film and motion picture is concerned.”
On tax incentives, rebates and other things that would make filming easier, the ‘October 1’ director said; “I stand here to assure you that if you have any project in mind and you want to shoot in Africa, even if you want to set Morroco or other part of Africa as location for your film, Lagos is the place to come. We are putting everything possible in place to make sure that anybody who comes will have the best of time in filming, touring and to enjoy the beautiful city,” he said.
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde at the unveiling of the magazine, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, elaborated on the opportunities that Lagos has in store for filmmakers, tourists and other investors.
“Lagos is a land of opportunities for you. We have our beautiful beaches and natural environment where you can shoot all your films all over Lagos, Nigeria,” said Adeyemi.
According to him, “The political will is to be provided by the governor who is ready. He is a lover of arts and entertainment and lover of the creative industry in general. As such, we are appearing on this platform once again to tell you that we are ready to host the world. This is the second edition and for a long time, we are going to be here. The creative industry is wide open for you and waiting to be tapped. So, Lagos is expecting you to make your film and money. The magazine is to tell you what we are doing. We have the infrastructure and the environment ready and Lagos is expecting you,”
Others at the event are the Chairman Lagos State House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Desmond Elliot, Deputy Defence Attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Yan Kretzer; Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Adedayo Thomas, and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Dele Balogun.
Cinema in Lagos is edited by Olumide Iyanda and produced by Mighty Media Plus for the Lagos State Government.

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