Category: Entertainment

THE N3 billion Film Intervention Fund (FIF) in the Nigerian film industry, otherwise called Nollywood, by President Goodluck Jonathan to support the industry is causing ripples among applicants.

Called Project ACT-Nollywood, the fund is a grant from the Federal Government

Although the Federal Ministry of Finance announced that 40 people had benefited from the Capacity Training Fund (CTF), category , the details of the recipients are still not clear.

Paul Nwabuikwu, special adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told The Nation that “the number is increasing as the process goes on; so, it’s best to wait until the process is completed. It is then we can publish the complete list.”

But while the Capacity Training Fund category may have been largely applied for by younger artistes, select crew of production companies and members of professional guilds and associations are jostling for the Film Production Fund (FPF), which is perceived to be more competitive.

FPF is a N700-million instrument of the Project ACT-Nollywood initiative, which promises N10million grant each to eligible production companies and independent producers for the making of commercially viable films.

When asked if he would avail himself of the opportunity, young filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, whose next project is in post-production stage, said he didn’t know his fate yet, though he had applied.

Afolayan, whose ‘movie-in-the works’, October 1, just won the International Movie Trailer’s Festival’s (IMTF) award in the Best Fiction Trailer category, hit location with less than 50 per cent of the $2 million- budget movie. It is obvious the filmmaker would need all the money he can garner for the completion of the film.

Nwabuikwu noted that “the funds are used to subsidise pre-production, production or post-production costs of films.”

Award-winning director of photography (DOP) Yinka Edward applied for the grant to foot his fee at the London Film School, but was refused on the grounds that the fund is not for academic purposes.

Other practitioners who may not also qualify to access the fund include Mrs. Amaka Igwe, her husband, Charles Igwe, Francis Duru and Mr. Segun Oyekunle, managing director of the Abuja Film Village, who are members of  the committee with the responsibility of apportioning the money to beneficiaries.

The objective of Project ACT-Nollywood is to encourage the sustained growth of Nigeria’s movie industry so that it realises its full potential as a significant creator of employment and considerable contributor to national GDP by addressing some of the challenges facing the industry.

Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has acquired the network television rights to the Justin Chadwick-directed Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Her cable network is expected to premiere the film in 2017.

Based on the 1996 autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, it follows the late South African leader’s early life, education and nearly three decades spent in prison before becoming president and rebuilding the country’s once-segregated society.

In the biopic, Idris Elba plays Mandela, who died at 95 on December 5, while Naomie Harris portrays his wife, Winnie Mandela.

“We couldn’t be more honoured to showcase this powerful film to the OWN viewers,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN. “Nelson Mandela was Oprah’s hero; and ultimately, the inspiration behind Oprah’s school in South Africa. His story of forgiveness and redemption is a gift not only to the people he touched, but to the world,” he further explained.

According to Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Co., the production company of the film, “we are delighted that this film has landed a television home at Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. Partnering with them ensures the picture will continue to honour the memory of Nelson Mandela for years to come.”

Since opening in late November, the film is said to have grossed $4.7 million at the box office.

Visually-impaired Nigerian musician Cobhams Asuquo is out with a new effort, strategically put out on New Year’s Eve.

Titled: Ordinary People, the song, which is being circulated online, is a testament to the latent power in the common man. In this song, Cobhams, as he is fondly called, calls everyone to give the best of their ability in the daily journey of life.

A statement by the artiste’s company, Cobhams Asuquo Music Production (CAMP), reads: “This is a message delivered straight from the heart of one who knows; Cobhams was born blind and has achieved all he has by sheer determination, will power and faith in God.”

The musician himself pointed out that,’…we are all ordinary people with ordinary desires, demands, strength and expectations: but we are all capable of doing extraordinary things.”

Cobhams is a Nigerian- born musician with an enviable track record in music production, writing and singing. Previously signed to Sony/ATV UK Publishing as a songwriter, Cobhams is also the CEO of CAMP; a music label and production company that serves as home to Bez and Stan Iyke. He has also in his repertoire, done extensive production work for numerous other notable Christian and secular artistes.

Cobhams ventured from the producers’ seat and into the vocal booth in 2011, to put some of his most loved songs into an inspiring, uplifting self-published contemporary Christian album. The first single of the album is called Ordinary People.