Around and About Nigeria's Film Industry

Peace Anyiam Osigwe of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an award-winning film worker who has been recognized for her work in Nollywood. Nigeria is an emerging film center., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Around and about Nollywood

SUNDAY, 16 JUNE 2013 00:00
BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
LIFE MAGAZINE - MOVIEDOM

Award for AMAA’s Peace Osigwe, Jackie Appiah, others in the US

FACE2FACE Africa, yesterday, hosted its second yearly F.A.C.E. List Awards. Sponsored by State Farm and Arik Airlines, those honoured include Dr. Carlos Lopes (leadership), Peace Anyiam Osigwe (trendsetter) and popular actress, Jackie Appiah (entertainment). Other honourees are George Etim (service), Korto Momolu (fashion) and Aziz adetimirin (media). Proceeds from the black-tie event will be donated to this year’s beneficiary, Raising HOPE Foundation for their work with orphans and disadvantaged children in Africa. The show, which was hosted by Eric J. Henderson of Huffington Post, held at The Times Centre, New York City. Media Partners include BlackEnterpise.com, ETV Ghana, Bronxnet TV, and F2FA Magazine. Reputed as an organisation devoted to being ‘The Voice’ of the emergent generation of African descendants, Face2face Africa established The F.A.C.E. List Awards in 2011 as a platform to acknowledge, celebrate and honour outstanding achievements of Africans and friends of Africa who are contributing towards a more dynamic and advanced global community.

MEANWHILE, yesterday, Nollywood patriots celebrated the chairman of the BOT of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Dike, who survived two major kidney transplants. The party attracted high networth guests and celebrities from Nollywood — marketers, producers, actors and directors — held in Surulere. In attendance were Ibinabo Fiberisima, Zik Zulu, Ejike Asiegbu, Chico Ejiro, Obi Osotule, Chidi Iheisie Okafor, Chinedu Ikedieze, Charles Novia, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Emeka Enyiocha, Tari West, Victor Osuagwu, Sunny Mcdon, Emma Ogugua, Norbert Ajeagbu, Andy Best Nnadi, Chiege Alisigwe, Hakeem Rahman, Fred Amata and Chidi Nwokeabia who led the Nollywood patriot to host the evening and hordes of other practitioners.

International Student Film Festival opens in Jos on Tuesday

THE International Students Film Festival (ISFF) jointly organised by the National Film Institute (NFI), Jos; University of Jos (UJ) and University of Lagos (UNILAG) and sponsored by the World Bank, under the STEP –B project for Centre of Excellence in Multimedia Technology and Cinematography, begins in Jos, Plateau State, on June 18. The theme of the four-day long festival is Moving Images: Talking Peace. The festival is aimed at discovering talents and exposing students to international standards in film production. It is also aimed at fostering interaction with industry professionals, reward excellence, raise the awareness of young talents and refine skills through competition on an international level. Essentially, the festival is expected to draw participants from over 50 institutions of higher learning within Nigeria, Africa and Asia running courses in film and related media studies, with over 2000 students also expected to attend. The festival secretariat named Prof. Irene Salami-Agunloye, Prof. John Egwugwu Illah, Femi Odugbemi and film journalist and critic, Shaibu Husseini, as members of the jury. It was also gathered that the former Managing Director of Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Hyginus Ekwuazi, would give the key note. Additional information on the festival can be sourced from www.isffjos2013.com.

Directors Guild commences screening of members

THE leadership of the Director Guild of Nigeria (DGN) has commenced plans to revalidate and update its register of members. President of the DGN, Andy Amenechi, said the process involves the screening of both old and new members. The movie director also stated that what members need for the exercise, which commenced yesterday at the popular Nollywood artistes’ hangout, Winnis Hotel, on Folawiyo Bankole Street, Surulere, Lagos. Members, according to Amenechi are expected to attend the screening exercise with their application forms, a confirmation of payment for the application form and dues and copies of their educational attainment. Members are also to come with a “5x7 photograph and DVD copies of your best three productions for evaluation,” Amenechi said.

Nnenna and Friends prepare for London tour

DUE to popular demand by kids, teens and their parents, deadline for the ongoing registration for Nnenna & Friends London Tour has been extended to June 22. The one week tour, which holds in August, promises to be an exciting trip as Nnenna and the participants would visit Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, The Greenwich Meridian, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and enjoy special activities including River Thames Cruise, London City Tour, Ice Skating and lots more. It is open to everyone from ages 6 to 18 who will all return home with Pictures, Videos, Branded T-Shirts, Travel Boxes, Notebooks and lots of special gifts and stories to share with their family and friends as well as watch their London adventures on wapTV (StarTimes 116) across Nigeria. Information on participation can be sourced at info@nnenaandfriends.com or at Nnenna and Friends office on Tiamiyu Street, Ajao Estate, off Airport Road, Lagos.

NFC boss canvasses Nigeria, Europe film collaboration

MANAGING Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Danjuma Dadu, has called for sustainable partnership between Nigeria and promoters of European Film Festival, towards having Nigerian films screened on the platform of structured film festivals in European countries. Dadu maintains that the screening of Nigerian films in Europe will not only promote the cultural ties between Nigeria and other nations of the world, but also entrench the appreciation of various cultures among peoples of the world. The NFC boss, in a chat during the a courtesy call on him, in Jos, Plateau State, by the Head of delegation of the European Film Festival Mrs. Belin Calvo -Uyarra, commended the European countries for mounting the film festival, and in making Jos, one of the host centres for the 2013 edition. Cultural Attaché of the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, Eva Barta, accompanied Mrs. Calvo-Uyarra. The National Film Institute, Jos hosted the four-day film festival from June 6 to 9. Earlier, in an address at the flag off of the festival, Dadu said collaboration efforts between nations of the World and Nigeria need to improve because Nigerian films have shown monumental improvement both technically and professionally “and have become very phenomenal in promoting development of positive potentials in Nigeria, with far reaching and deep impact across the world. The NFC, Dadu added, was committed to encouraging and supporting practitioners in the production of films with local content, but using best practices that meet international standards. Mrs. Calvo-Uyarra, who is also the Head, Political Desk of the European Union (Countries) in Nigeria, informed film enthusiasts at the opening ceremony that the European Film Festival, since 2008, has served as a platform for Nigerians to experience Europe through the ‘lenses’ of some of the best contemporary film producers in the world. A total of 15 European (produced) films were screened during the four day film festival whose audience included students of the National Film Institute Jos, the University of Jos, and the NTA Television College.

Entries still open for 4TH EKO International Film Festival

THE fourth edition of the yearly Eko International Film Festival, promoted as a festival that contributes to the positioning of Nigeria as a creative hub through its focus on high quality Nigerian and foreign films, is to hold in Lagos from November 18 to 23. As with other editions, it will present films in nine sections including feature, short, documentaries and student films. This edition will also include a 1-minute short film showcase, which is aimed at encouraging people to use their handheld devices to make films on any subject. There will also be a key focus on workshops and industry meetings and lectures to be facilitated by regional and international film experts. The workshop is designed to help shape future generations of Nigerian filmmakers. According to Hope Opara, publisher of Supple Magazine and honcho of Supple Communications Limited, promoters of the festival, “last year, the festival opened with Operation Libertad, premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, and directed by the Swiss Nicolas Wadimoff.

We will also focus on Nigerian filmmakers this year as we look to strengthen the position of Nigerian film industry. We expect that Nigerian film will make 60 per cent film to be screened this year.” More information on the festival can be sourced at www.ekoiff.org