Heritage Film Festival / Festival of Lost Films
"Rediscovering Our Past, Restoring Our Future."
Celebrating recovered and restored films through an annual festival honouring the pioneers of African cinema.
Our festival brings restored classics back to the big screen, connecting audiences, scholars and filmmakers across generations.
Background
Why this work matters
Nigeria possesses one of Africa's richest cinematic traditions, spanning more than seven decades. Many landmark films produced on celluloid, videotape, and other obsolete formats have been lost, damaged, or remain inaccessible due to poor preservation, inadequate archival infrastructure, technological obsolescence, and environmental degradation. As a result, invaluable records of Nigeria's history, culture, languages, and artistic achievements are at risk of disappearing forever. The Festival of Lost Films (FOLF) is an initiative of Heritage Film Ventures (HFV) dedicated to locating, restoring, preserving, and celebrating Nigeria's endangered audiovisual heritage. The festival will serve as a premier platform for the exhibition of restored classics, the discovery of forgotten masterpieces, professional dialogue on film preservation, and public engagement with Nigeria's cinematic history.
Direction
Vision & Mission
Vision
To establish Africa's foremost festival dedicated to film preservation, restoration, and cinematic heritage.
Mission
To rescue endangered films, celebrate restored cinematic treasures, educate the public on audiovisual preservation, and inspire future generations to protect Africa's film heritage.
Objectives
What we aim to achieve
- Identify and showcase restored and rediscovered Nigerian films.
- Raise national and international awareness about film preservation.
- Encourage government and private sector investment in audiovisual heritage.
- Promote research and education in film history and archival science.
- Foster collaboration among filmmakers, archives, museums, universities, and cultural institutions.
- Celebrate pioneers and custodians of Nigerian cinema.
- Position Nigeria as a leader in African film heritage preservation.
Programme
Key components
- 01
Opening Gala
A prestigious red-carpet opening ceremony featuring the premiere of a newly restored Nigerian classic.
- 02
Lost Films Showcase
Screenings of restored Nigerian classics alongside previously unseen or forgotten films.
- 03
International Heritage Film Section
Special screenings of restored films from Africa and around the world.
- 04
Film Restoration Exhibition
An exhibition showcasing restoration techniques and historic artefacts: cameras, projectors, posters, costumes, scripts and archival materials.
- 05
Masterclasses and Workshops
Professional training in film restoration, digital preservation, archiving, documentary preservation, AI in restoration and film conservation.
- 06
Industry Conference
High-level panels on preserving African film heritage, copyright, funding, digital technologies and cultural policy.
- 07
Film Heritage Awards
Recognition for Lifetime Contributions, Outstanding Archivists, Restoration Excellence, Heritage Champions and Young Preservation Advocates.
- 08
Student Film Heritage Competition
A national competition encouraging students to produce documentaries on forgotten cinemas, filmmakers and Nigeria's film history.
Impact
Expected outcomes
- Recovery and restoration of endangered Nigerian films.
- Increased awareness of film preservation.
- Stronger collaboration among cultural institutions.
- Development of professional skills in restoration and archiving.
- Attraction of cultural tourism and international partnerships.
- Creation of a permanent digital archive of restored films.
- Enhanced appreciation of Nigeria's cinematic legacy.
Who it's for
Target audience
Collaboration
Strategic partners
- Nigerian Film Corporation
- National Archives of Nigeria
- Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy
- UNESCO
- Universities
- International film archives
- Film studios
- Private sector sponsors
- Development partners
Sustainability
How this work is sustained
- Corporate sponsorships
- Government grants
- International cultural funds
- Ticket sales
- Exhibition fees
- Festival merchandise
- Training programmes
- Donations and endowments
- Media partnerships
Looking ahead
Long-term vision
The Festival of Lost Films aims to become Africa's flagship event dedicated to film heritage, comparable to the world's leading preservation festivals. Over time, the Festival will expand into a year-round programme encompassing film restoration projects, educational outreach, research initiatives, touring exhibitions and digital access to restored Nigerian classics.
In closing
Conclusion
The Festival of Lost Films is more than a film festival — it is a national cultural preservation movement. By rescuing endangered films and reconnecting audiences with Nigeria's cinematic history, the Festival will preserve the nation's audiovisual memory, inspire future generations, strengthen cultural identity, and position Nigeria as a global leader in film heritage preservation.
Explore
Related What We Do items
Film Recovery
Locating lost, forgotten and endangered Nigerian films held in private collections, vaults and archives at home and abroad.
Learn moreFilm Restoration
Returning damaged and deteriorating films to their original brilliance through photochemical and digital restoration.
Learn moreDigitization
Creating high-resolution digital masters that safeguard films and make them accessible for generations to come.
Learn moreFurther reading