WIFTI, Swedish Govt Partners Ife Monarch to Empower Over 20,000 Women in the Film Industry

The Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) in partnership with the Nigerian chapter of the organisation is set to host the 2022 edition of the bi-annual conference, bringing major stakeholders, international diplomats and traditional heads to give women an enabling environment, access to film and television production funds.

This according to them would reduce gender stifling barriers, and position women in places of power within the industry.

Speaking about the programme, Secretary on the Board of the Women in Film and Television International, Inya Lawal, during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, said “The event is aimed at bridging the gap that exists in the film and television space when it comes to funding, and gender stifling barriers.

“Similarly, the WIFTI is already in strategic partnership with Nigeria’s traditional ruler, the imperial majesty Ogunwusi Adeyeye Enitan, the 51st Ooni of Ife and Michael Carl, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, and other major industry leaders in Nigeria.”

“We are bringing everyone to partner in this summit. We have His Excellency, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, as well as other executive members of the international body from Germany and Sweden who are also in the partnership to make this event a successful one August next year. Usually, when we do this summit, we come together from different parts of the world and assess our industry, network and engage in capacity building and understanding women in what we want to do in future within the media space,” she concluded.

The WIFTI Summit is a bi-annual event that gives women an enabling environment, access to film and TV funds, reduces gender stifling barriers, and positions women in places of power within the industry.

The 2022 summit is themed ‘Telling Unique Stories with Film, Music and Dance,’ and is said to combine the ecosystem of film, music and dance to advance the funding, creation, and distribution of stories that reflect the thriving, socially aware film culture around the world.

On his part, the 51st Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi Adeyeye Enitan, in his address expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the initiative and cooperation of the Swedish ambassador.

He said, “The monarch is highly in support of WIFTI and it’s initiatives, the aspirations to support women in Nigeria is a welcomed development and there is no doubt of the economic impact it will bring to the kingdom, state, Nigeria and WIFTI in general.”

Also speaking at the event, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Carl Michael Grans said, “The partnership between Ife and the film industry is very important and encouraging.

“This is one of the priorities at the Swedish Embassy in Abuja, where we try to empower women.

“WIFTI is a very big organization and we are looking at over 20,000 women around the world but as the world heals of the pandemic, and travel restrictions become eased across countries, I believe there will be a massive turnout of participants.

“Economically, countries struggled with the pandemic and lots of women lost their businesses.

“Thus, this is a great opportunity for those in Nollywood to solve some logistics concerns while they journey through the path of recovery from the pandemic economically.”

Meanwhile the President of the German chapter of the Women In Film and Television International, Nicole Ackermann, pointed out that she is looking forward to building on partnerships between Nigeria and German organisations.

“We are building the bridge from Germany to Nigeria where you can share your story about the rich culture and heritage of Nigeria and Africa.

“Also, we are building this bridge to bring everyone together through the vision of WIFTI,” she added.