Coal City Festival, GIZ boost women in film technology

The Coal City Film Festival (CCFF), in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) through its Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE II) Programme, has concluded a three-day stakeholder engagement designed to expand employment opportunities for women in technical filmmaking while promoting safer and more inclusive workplaces across Enugu State’s creative industry.

The initiative brought together representatives from government agencies, development partners, cultural institutions, professional associations, industry leaders and creative practitioners to explore practical strategies for increasing the participation of women in technical roles within Nigeria’s fast-growing film and creative sectors.

The engagement opened with a Senior Stakeholders Validation Forum attended by more than 50 participants drawn from both the public and private sectors. During the session, stakeholders reviewed and validated findings from the Employment and Labour Market Assessment (ELMA), which examined the current state of employment opportunities and barriers affecting women seeking careers in technical filmmaking.

Discussions focused on addressing the structural and workplace challenges limiting female participation in areas traditionally dominated by men. Participants also considered policy recommendations aimed at improving workplace safety, strengthening gender inclusion and creating a more supportive environment for women pursuing technical careers in the creative economy.

One of the major outcomes of the forum was a shared commitment by participating organisations to adopt measures that promote equal opportunities for qualified women across the creative value chain. Stakeholders also agreed on the need for stronger collaboration between government, industry and development partners to sustain the momentum generated during the engagement.

Speaking at the conclusion of the programme, Founder and Festival Director of the Coal City Film Festival, Uche Agbo, described the exercise as an important step toward building a more inclusive creative industry in Enugu State.

According to him, the discussions held throughout the three-day programme demonstrated that the future growth of Enugu’s creative economy depends on collaboration, inclusion and continuous investment in people. He expressed optimism over the commitment shown by stakeholders to improve workplace conditions and expand opportunities for women interested in technical filmmaking professions.

The second phase of the engagement featured a series of strategic consultations and key informant interviews with critical stakeholders whose contributions are expected to shape the implementation of the programme.

The consultation team met with the Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, executives of the Cinematographers Society of Nigeria, Enugu Chapter, the Association of Movie Producers and other leading stakeholders in the state’s creative ecosystem.

The team also visited the Centre For Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo, where discussions highlighted the importance of cultural heritage, identity and historical narratives in influencing workplace attitudes, gender inclusion and professional opportunities within the film industry.

Insights gathered during the consultations will help refine implementation strategies to ensure they respond to the realities of Enugu State’s labour market and the specific needs of women seeking careers in technical filmmaking.

The final stage of the programme focused on identifying and assessing prospective Master Trainers who will undergo further capacity development before leading intensive technical training sessions scheduled to commence in September 2026.

The trainers will provide practical instruction in editing and post-production, animation and motion graphics, cinematography, sound design and audio engineering, as well as directing for cinema and digital content.

Upon completion of the training programme, more than 40 women are expected to receive hands-on technical skills that will improve their employability, encourage entrepreneurship and enhance their long-term participation in Nigeria’s expanding creative economy.

The Coal City Film Festival said the initiative supports the broader vision of positioning Enugu State as a leading centre for creative enterprise, digital innovation and inclusive economic development. The festival also thanked the Enugu State Government, GIZ, professional associations, cultural institutions and other partners for supporting the programme. Organisers reaffirmed their commitment to building a creative industry where women enjoy equal access to technical training, professional opportunities and leadership roles in the film sector.