The French Embassy PISCCA Programme, in collaboration with the Girls’ Voices Initiative (GVI), has recognised the contributions of women in filmmaking in Nigeria and across the world.
Women, including a Nigerian actress, Maggie Osuome, were given award for their excellence in scriptwriting, production, cinematography, and acting, as part of efforts to honour them and to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
At the maiden edition of the Women’s International Film Festival Nigeria (WIFFEN), in Abuja, the festival director, Carolyn Seaman, explained that the 18 award recipients, whose submissions were selected out of over 3,000 across 130 countries, made the list because of their outstanding entries.
Veteran actor, Tony Goodman described the initiative as a welcome development. He encouraged parents to buoy up their female children to be part of the movie industry.
Ambassadors of various countries in Nigeria were present at the event, including the French Ambassador represented by Rafael Pont, Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy and Esmond Reid, the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria received the award on behalf of Morgunets-Isaenko.
Other award recipients included Best Short-Margaux Fazio-Switzerland, Best Documentary Feature-Daughters of Eve – Zannah Thirus – USA, Best Documentary Short – The Story of All of Us Women – Itxaso Diaz – Spain, Best Student Film – La Foto Perfetta – Eleonora Mozzi – Italy with an additional €1000 award presented by the French Embassy, Best Director – The Letter Room – Elvira Lind – the USA, Best Actress-Freedom Come-Maggie Osuome-Nigeria, among others.