Asaba, a city in Nigeria’s Delta State, was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Film in December, 2023. This brings to two (2) the numbers of cities Nigeria has on the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The Creative Cities Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Art and Music.

Asaba exhibits a rich history of film production and holds the distinction of establishing the first Film Village nationwide, serving as the centre of ‘Nollywood’, one of Africa’s leading entertainment industries in terms of both production and economic value. Nollywood produces an impressive annual output of 1,000 to 1,500 movies, creating a transnational cinematic cultural influence that exports local stories and cultures on a national and globe scale. The Film Village is renowned for its International Film Conferences, International Artist Residency programmes, and identifying and supporting local talents by providing them with platforms for growth and opportunities to showcase their expertise within the film industry and beyond. The city is also home to many renowned film producers and actors, as well as unique craft, folk and literary industries. According to the city, the population of film professionals and actors in Asaba is estimated at around 100,000. As a result of its diverse cultural and creative sector, the city of Asaba offers many opportunities for cross-sectoral exchanges with the Network.

In addition to its cultural influence, the film industry has also brought about significant economic benefits to the city, generating employment opportunities and attracting international investments. The Film Village and other cultural assets across the city serve as a gateway to sustainable urban development. It is with this vision in mind that Asaba has joined the Network, with a commitment to boosting regional film production and sharing good practices with other members in the Network.

Added Value:

As a Creative City of Film, Asaba is dedicated:

To identify and nurture local creative talents, providing them with training opportunities and platforms to showcase their skills within the film industry;

To foster collaboration and technical exchange within the film industry;

To create opportunities for continuous growth and development of the creative sector, promoting innovation and expansion of culture; and

To spread historical awareness and to provide cultural support, ensuring that the rich cultural heritage of Asaba continues to be celebrated and shared.