Against the backdrop of the 64th Cannes Film Festival,in the salon la Baule of the spectacular Majestic Barriere Hotel, history was made as Nigerian born Madu Chikwendu was inducted into the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF).

International Federation of Film Producers FIAPF with headquarters in Bern Switzerland is the umbrella body for Producers worldwide, promoting and protecting the interest of producers. Members of FIAPF include Motion Pictures Association of America, Film Federation of India and other key players in the global film industry.

In his acceptance speech Madu C Chikwendu declared in an emotion laden voice:

“We recognize the divisions in the Nigerian film industry and acknowledge that FIAPF membership is on the platform of Association of Nollywood Core Producers ANCOP. Yet our membership is not just for all Nigerian producers but for all Nigerian cinema professionals and all Africans working in the audio visual sector. We shall align ourselves to global best practice in film production,” he said.

In a congratulatory message, the Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) Afolabi Adesanya, stated: “we are indeed elated about your induction. Your membership, no doubt confers on you the onerous task of sustaining the gains of Nigeria’s motion picture industry globally.”

Nigeria is the first country from sub-Saharan Africa to join FIAPF, with Egypt joining the association later. A man of history, Madu C Chikwendu also made history in April 2006 in Tshwane South Africa when he became the first ever Regional Secretary (Western Region 1) of the Pan African Federation of Filmmakers FEPACI. He is also credited with founding the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN.