Hollywood: New Idi Amin film to be shot in Nigeria
From Paul Obi in Abuja, 02.23.2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Sequel to, "The Last King of Scotland," the 2006 British film that centred on the life and times of late Ugandan President, Idi Amin is to be shot in Nigeria.

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/feb/23/213.html

The movie entitled, "The Insert", a brainchild of an American film company, SASECOM is coming on the heels of plans by the New York film Academy to commence training of Nigerians in various aspects of film making and editing next month.

The film Producer, Serge Cassia said yesterday that Nigeria was considered a viable option because of the situation in Congo where the 2006 blockbuster was shot.

“Shooting in the Congo, is virtually impossible for security and infrastructure reasons, and as such we are actively looking at other African venue options where government, local business community and local film industry support will come into play and Nigeria rightly fits into that expectation,” Cassia said.

Given the consolidation of the A-List Hollywood talent cast associated with SASECOM’s multi-million dollar venture, the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications is to support the move in backing film investments, and as well welcome U.S film experts into Nigeria.

Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili said, “We will take some proper time to look into various states and regions, to determine which of them offer the best topography to replicate scenes from the Congo and also meet with some State Governors, in order to determine how best to collaborate with their constituents, in preparation of the film”.

The minister said that Nigeria’s status and recognition as a place for hosting high profile film productions would be positively promoted through international media and film festival platforms, such as the Cannes Film Festival, Sundance or Berlinale.

Meanwhile the New York Film Academy will next month commence the training of Nigerians in various aspects of film making and editing. The Rivers State Government and Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are expected to facilitate the training of no less than 150 indigenes in the film academy to be located in Abuja and Lagos.

Are they gonna award contracts?