Korea, Kaduna Film Festival Spotlight Girl-Child Plight, Deepen Creative Ties

The Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), has hosted a powerful screening of “Scars the Movie” alongside an intensive filmmaking workshop in Abuja, using cinema as a platform to confront social injustice and strengthen Nigeria–Korea cultural relations.

The event brought together filmmakers, actors, students and culture enthusiasts for a thought-provoking exploration of forced marriage, gender inequality and the transformative power of storytelling.

Scars the Movie follows the journey of Hasia, a 16-year-old girl with dreams of becoming a doctor, whose aspirations are crushed when her father forces her into marriage to settle a debt.

Married off to an older, wealthy man, she endures abuse, repeated miscarriages and isolation, while her education and independence are stripped away. The film lays bare the harsh intersection of poverty, patriarchy and silence that continues to affect vulnerable girls.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of KCCN Abuja, Mr. Jeon Ju-ho, described the screening as deeply significant, noting that it addresses an issue that transcends borders.

“Today is of immense importance because it speaks about life — and not just life, but the life of a girl child,” he said. “A child forced into the role of a woman, and brutally so. These are conversations we must not avoid.”

He emphasised that film remains one of the most powerful tools for sparking dialogue and social reflection.

Director-General of KADIFF, Israel  Audu, explained that the film was deliberately selected to spotlight challenges prevalent in parts of northern Nigeria.

“Hasia’s story represents the painful reality faced by many young girls whose dreams are sacrificed on the altar of poverty and cultural pressure,” Audu said. “This film exposes the emotional and generational scars such practices leave behind.”

Beyond the screening, participants engaged in a practical workshop covering directing, acting and cinematography, designed to strengthen technical capacity within Nigeria’s fast-growing film industry.

Audu noted that the partnership between KADIFF and KCCN reflects a broader commitment to creative collaboration between Nigeria and South Korea.

He said cultural exchanges — from film festivals to K-drama, K-pop, language classes, Taekwondo and culinary programs — have helped build mutual understanding between both nations.

According to him, more than 300,000 Nigerians have participated in Korean cultural programmes, gaining new skills and global exposure.

“These collaborations are not just about entertainment,” he said. “They are about knowledge transfer, talent development and economic opportunity. By sharing filmmaking techniques and nurturing creative talent, we can develop a richer, blended cinematic identity.”

The event underscored how film can serve as both a mirror and a bridge — reflecting societal challenges while connecting cultures across continents.

As discussions continue around protecting the rights of the girl-child and expanding Nigeria’s creative economy, stakeholders say partnerships like this demonstrate how art, when supported by international cooperation, can inspire change and deepen diplomatic ties.