With Air France Deal, Afolayan Thinks Global

Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has landed a new deal with Air France KLM; he joins the airline as Brand Ambassador. The partnership with undisclosed amount, according to the airline, will last till the end of 2016.

Speaking at a media briefing held recently in Lagos to unveil the partnership, Commercial Director of the airline, Arthur Dieffenthaler informed that the company is committed to promoting Nigeria culture and the film industry in particular.

“Movie is one of the ways to showcase culture.

I’m very excited that this will be the beginning of robust working relation with Kunle and the Nigeria film industry and it will also be a boost to the Nigerian culture. I believe in growing business together, and I’m confident that our partnership will go a long way.”

On the choice of Afolayan, he explained, “my friends and I have watch October 1, which is a nice movie by Mr. Afolayan. I must say that we singled out Kunle from other Nigerian entertainers for the quality of films he has produced and for his passion for the Nigeria culture. So, we thought it would be a good move to partner with him as a way of promoting our brand in Nigeria. We are working with Kunle because he is one of the best filmmakers on Africa soil and the quality of movie produced or directed by him is up to international standard.”

On his part, Kunle Afolayan said, “I’m excited for this deal to happen and I appreciate the brand management for their intention to contribute not only to the growth to the Nigeria film industry, but also to international audience. Leveraging on their platform would make the journey so far a complete one. With this partnership, Golden Effect and Kunle Afolayan will no longer be classified as only a local brand, because when you talk about Golden Effect, you remember Air France,” he said.

Afolayan, who threatened not to shoot films in Nigeria any long, lamented the effect of piracy in Nigeria, which makes it impossible for producer to recover huge sums invested in making a movie.

“It is very hard to walk out of a place you love doing business or walk out of something you love doing and a country you love being part of. Everything I have always done represent this country, even if the country does not appreciate what I’m doing. I made the comment due to frustration.

“Film is part of what get me going, and what kept me alive and I think with the partnership, distribution, which is one of our major challenges in film the industry, is almost over, because once people realise that the brand like Air France is part of the project, the attitude of people outside the shore toward Nigeria movie will be different.”

Afolayan, however, informed that he’s working on a movie that will feature actors from African countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and others.

“This is one of the ways of promoting our culture and get Africans to watch movie made in Africa; no one can tell African story more than Africa. We are trying to do something for the first time that cut-across the continent and represent the continent. I’m glad that Air France will help achieve the dream,” he said.