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Tag: AFRIFF

  • Extramile shines at AFRIFF 2024

    Extramile shines at AFRIFF 2024

    The highly anticipated movie, ‘Extramile’ made its grand debut at the 2024 edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) which was held in Filmhouse Landmark, Lagos.

    Produced by Five2Media and executive-produced by Solate Ovundah-Akarolo, the film captivated audiences with its compelling story that delves into the intricacies of friendship, relationships, and the importance of setting personal boundaries.

    Speaking about the movie, Solate Ovundah-Akarolo described it as a heartfelt tale designed to resonate with viewers, especially younger women.

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    She explained, “The movie tells a very important story about friendship, relationships, and taking matters into one’s hands, showing how quickly things can go wrong. It delivers a powerful message about the sacrifices we make in relationships and friendships. For givers, people will keep taking from you until you set your boundaries. Out of all the stories I had, this one stood out and had to be told.”

    Joy Grant-Ekong, the producer, emphasized the hard work and intention behind the project saying, “A lot of stories about betrayal have been told, but this film takes a different angle. We were very deliberate with the casting. Working with the executive producer, who has an exceptional eye for detail, pushed me to bring my A-game. When you cast believable actors, your job as a filmmaker is 90 percent done,” she noted.

    The film features Jim Iyke, Mercy Johnson, Taiwo Ajayi- Lycett, Kehinde Bankole, Waje, Tina Mba, Elvina Ibru, and a host of others.

  • French Embassy, AFRIFF to boost Nigerian creative industry

    French Embassy, AFRIFF to boost Nigerian creative industry

    To put the Nigerian movie and creative industry on the world stage, the French Embassy in Nigeria will  from today to  Wednesday hold business to business meetings in Lagos  between French and Nigerian film key stakeholders.

      These will take place within the framework of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) with which the French Embassy is collaborating to carry out a qualitative event.

     The partnership will  allow French and Nigerian expertise and excellence in the audiovisual sector to be endorsed within the most prominent Nollywood platform.

      AFRIFF, which celebrated its 30th edition this year, has become the unmissable cinema event on the continent, with more than 70,000 visitors.

     Over 10 French companies are participating in the three day meetings. The embassy said the objective is to present and facilitate development and cooperation’s possibilities in Nigeria and to promote quality French content to Nigerian producers and distributors and the various tools made available to them to co-produce with France.

       The French companies will engage in up to six conferences, workshops and masterclasses. Their knowledge will also be activated during the meetings to help identify and offer opportunities to the Nigerian talents of tomorrow.

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    Indeed, the new generation of Nollywood is sensitive to the possibilities of international co-productions, the search for new audiences and the opportunity to one day be present in the selection of major international festivals, like Cannes, the embassy said.

       Altogether, the presence of this French delegation at AFRIFF is part of an overall action plan of the French Embassy in Nigeria, with the general objective of strengthening the Nigerian and French collaboration in the audio-visual sector and develop co-productions. The French Embassy’s actions, scattered throughout the year, encompass workshops, networking moments, delegations visits to France or welcoming French representatives to Nigeria.     

      Their latest accomplishment was the attendance of twenty official Nigerian studio representatives to the TV content market MIPCOM in Cannes last October.

  • I do not come to you by chance premieres at AFRIFF

    I do not come to you by chance premieres at AFRIFF

    The highly anticipated movie adaptation of the acclaimed novel ‘I do not come to you by chance,’ has premiered at the 2023 edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

     The film, which is produced by The Entertainment Network (T.E.N) and directed by the talented Ishaya Bako premiered on Thursday, November 9.

     The film was received with enthusiastic applause and accolades from the audience while clinching the Audience Choice Award.

     Producer Chioma Onyenwe said, “Adapting such a beloved novel was both a challenge and an honour. We aimed to stay true to the essence of the book while adding a visual dimension that enhances the storytelling. The positive response from the AFRIFF audience is incredibly rewarding”

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    The film boasts a stellar cast, including Paul Nnadiekwe, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Jennifer Eliogu, Emeka Nwagbaraocha and Beverly Osu, who skillfully embody the characters from the novel, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.

    I do not come to you by chance is a captivating and thought-provoking narrative that delves into the world of family, crime, and morality. The gripping story follows the life of a young man who is unwittingly drawn into the world of cybercrime in a quest to secure his family’s future.

    The movie’s premiere at AFRIFF marked a significant milestone, celebrating the fusion of literature and film in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    Told in English and Igbo, the movie, directed by Ishaya Bako, offers a fresh perspective on contemporary African cinema and its ability to tackle pressing social issues.

  • AFRIFF 2023 kicks off, to honour RMD, Funke Akindele, others

    AFRIFF 2023 kicks off, to honour RMD, Funke Akindele, others

    The organisers of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have unveiled an explosive lineup of events for its 12th edition geared at expanding indigenous movies to the global market.

    The week-long festival opens on the evening of Sunday, November 5, with the exclusive premiere of ORAH, directed by Lonzo Nzekwe.

    The festival is scheduled to be held from November 5 to 11, 2023.

    The closing night will feature the highly anticipated premiere of the inspirational movie “Breath of Life” directed by BB Shashore and produced by Eku Edewor.

    At a media parley heralding the festival at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, the founder and director of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, reaffirmed the organiser’s readiness to improve the festival’s capacity towards global expectations.

    She said: “We are inspired by the passion and dedication of filmmakers and film enthusiasts in Africa, and we are committed to providing a platform for their voices to be heard.

    “This year, the theme is ‘Indigenous to Global 2.0’, which is in continuation of last year’s theme, but I learnt a lot about how unready we are.

    “To be very prepared, we expanded our panel, our judges, and masterclasses to prepare us more for the global market.

    “We are focused on improving capacity building and positioning the industry further for more opportunities. Next year will be Indigenous to Global 3.0 until we get it right.”

    Ms. Ude added that the festival will present a selection of noteworthy films, including “Queen of Adire – A Story of Nike Davies Okundaye” by Titi Ogunfere and “Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti” by the visionary Bola Austen-Peters, among others.

    The AFRIFF jury boasts of local and international members headed by Stephen Dr. Love.

    Others are Abby Ajayi, Nicholas Weinstock, Geneva Wasserman, Wafa’a Celine Halawi, Greg Odutayo, Ranada Shepard, Tsitsi Dangaremgba and Nollywood greats, Kate Henshaw, Desmond Elliot, as well as Multichoice Nigeria’s Bisola Tejumola.

    The head of media and public relations, Latasha Ngwube, said the 12th edition of AFRIFF will uncover new talents, create insider opportunities and screen hundreds of films for free.

    She said: “The world is coming to Nigeria as AFRIFF looks internally to strengthen and grow in preparation to take African stories made by Africans to the world.”

    According to her, AFRIFF will showcase indigenous narratives from women who have made a national impact.

    She said the festival will be adorned with diverse activities, including panel discussions, and networking sessions, leading to the prestigious AFRIFF Globe Awards.

    Ngwube stated: “This year’s edition will also unveil three exciting new categories sponsored by MTN Nigeria. These additions include the Honouree Award, offering N2 million to each recipient; the Viewer’s Choice category, allowing viewers to vote for their preferred movie of the year, and the Fan Favorite Award, enabling fans to vote for their beloved actors and actresses.

    “The Awards will be presented to selected actors at the Globe Awards Nigh, on November 11th during the festival.

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    “Actors to be honoured include Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Chidi Mokeme (Shanty Town), Funke Akindele (Battle on Buka Street) and Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun).

    “Others are Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos), Kunle Remi (Anikulapo), Ini Edo (Shanty Town), Nse Ikpe Etim (4-44-44), Lateef Adedimeji, (Jagun Jagun), and Tobi Bakare (Gangs of Lagos).

    “The N.E.F.T.I. (NEFT emerging Film Talent International) competition in collaboration with LG Electronics and AFRIFF will also be selecting and rewarding new young talent with prize money of $5000 for their creativity while embracing their uniqueness.”

    Ngwube stressed that AFRIFF will celebrate the diverse and vibrant African film industry, highlighting the cultural richness and storytelling of African talents while underscoring the importance of continued collaboration, innovation, and investment in the region’s cinema.

    She added: “The 2023 edition is partnered and sponsored by Lagos State Government, Access Corporation, MTN, Prime Video, Paramount, Mikano, HOW Foundation, WIGWE University, PAC Capital, The Refinery, Martel, US Consulate Lagos, French Embassy, DSTV, Showmax, Africa No Filter, NEWF, NEFTI, Spcine, and UCA University for the Creative Arts UK.”

    Also present at the parley were MarCom & Sponsorship Director, Ebuka Ude; Programme & Artistic Director, Ikenna Ezenyirioha; AFRIFF Jury President, Stephen Dr. Love; Folake Steaze Johnson, representing Chief Creative Officer of NEFTI Paul Robinson, and Middle Eastern filmmaker Samir Abdel Nasir.

    AFRIFF, conceived by Ms. Ude, is a world-class showcase that celebrates Cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora.

    It consistently delivers a rich programme to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships.

    It creates an energetic and exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation for delivering Africa’s most vibrant film festival experience.

    Its objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over the world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through Festival-organised fora and several capacity development workshops.

  • AFRIFF unveils jury for 2023 film festival

    AFRIFF unveils jury for 2023 film festival

    Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has unveiled its jury for the 12th edition, holding from November 5 to 11 in Lagos. 

    After receiving over 2,000 films from more than 100 countries in five continents, the jury selected over 100 films.

     Head of PR & Media for AFRIFF 2023, Latasha Ngwube, in a statement, said the jury includes Stephen ‘Dr.’ Love, producer of one of Netflix’s most viewed movies of the year, They Cloned Tyrone.

     Emmy-nominated Nigerian-British writer-producer Abby Ajayi joins him; Nigerian film producer, Greg Otudayo; Zimbabwean award-winning author and winner of 2023 African Peace Prize, Tsitsi Dangarembga; and Lebanese-French actress and director, Céline Halawi.

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    Others are entertainment and technology expert, Geneva Wasserman; Cuban-American film producer, Ranada Shepard; and Hollywood producer, Nicholas Weinstock.

     Also, there are MultiChoice’s Busola Tejumola; actress, Kate Henshaw, and actor, Desmond Elliott.

     There will be 14 awards.

    AFRIFF, conceived by Ms. Chioma Ude, celebrates cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora, fostering ideas, production connections, and business relationships. 

    AFRIFF aims to develop the industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries; provide opportunity for professionals to export their products; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through fora and capacity development workshops.

  • U.S. Consulate, AFRIFF host Nigerian premiere of BlackkKlansman

    United States Consulate General, Lagos in collaboration with the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) hosted the Nigerian première of Spike Lee’s film BlacKkKlansman. The movie stars John David Washington, son of Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, and Adam Driver.

    The movie chronicles the true story of an African-American police detective named Ron Stallworth, who, in 1978, launched an investigation into the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Colorado Springs.

    Guests at the première held at the FilmHouse Cinema, Twin Waters on Victoria Island, included leaders in business, civil society, media and government as well as Nollywood celebrities.

    United States Consul General F. John Bray noted that the U.S. has come a long way in its fight against racism.  “This movie is making a statement about that because it makes you reflect and look at the problem.”

    The Consul General also used the opportunity to advocate for similar reflection by Nigerians as they prepare for the upcoming elections. “We are looking forward to a free, fair, credible, and non-violent election in the coming year,” he said.

    As part of the ongoing Africa International Film Festival, the U.S. Mission on Thursday co-hosted the screening of “Balancing the Scales,” a documentary film about women lawyers in the United States.  The screening was hosted at the Genesis Cinema, Lekki.

    At the event attended by over 110 mid-career and senior-level female lawyers, U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs, ArunaAmirthanayagam, delivered remarks underscoring the importance of having women in leadership positions in the private and public sectors of the economy. “Promoting women to top positions is good for both society and for firms’ bottom lines,” he noted.

    The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is one of the major sponsors of the recently concluded Africa International Film Festival.   AFRIFF, an annual showcase of the world of filmmaking, with participation from local and international actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, and equipment manufacturers, was held from November 11 to 17.

  • US Consulate, AFRIFF host Nigerian premiere of Spike Lee’s BlackkKlansman

    The United States Consulate General Lagos in collaboration with the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) hosted the Nigerian première of Spike Lee’s film BlacKkKlansman.

     The movie stars John David Washington, son of Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, and Adam Driver.

    The movie chronicles the true story of an African-American police detective named Ron Stallworth, who, in 1978, launched an investigation into the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Colorado Springs.

    Guests at the première held at the FilmHouse Cinema, Twin Waters on Victoria Island, included leaders in business, civil society, media and government as well as Nollywood celebrities.

    United States Consul General F. John Bray, in his welcome remarks, noted that the U.S. has come a long way in its fight against racism.  “This movie is making a statement about that because it makes you reflect and look at the problem.”

    The Consul General also used the opportunity to advocate for similar reflection by Nigerians as they prepare for the upcoming elections. “We are looking forward to a free, fair, credible, and non-violent election in the coming year,” he said.

  • AFRIFF screens 167 films at cinemas

    As part of efforts to promote the Nigerian film industry, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has screened about 167 world class films by African filmmakers, including those in the Diaspora and friends of the continents, at this year’s edition.

    The genres screened included feature films, shorts, animation, student shorts, documentaries and international panorama. The films were screened for five days consecutively at different venues on the Victoria Island, such as the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, The Palms Shopping Mall and Silverbird Galleria.

    Some of the films screened in the student shorts category are Sticks; Society; The Fallen One; Lami; Huzuni; Lalibela; Darkroom; The Lat Word; First Snow; The Lost Café; Tatu; Idemuza and Bolingo’s Forest of Love. Those in the shorts category included: If Only; Umbrella; Mustapha; Kaali; The ideal son-in-law; Cliché; The Checkpoint; Eve’s Addiction and The Secret of Colour.

    One of the participants, whose film, Huzuni, was screened in the student short category, Ataansuyi Michael, expressed great delight at having his first film selected in the film festival. “Seeing my film on the big screen was a marvelous experience for  me. I have learnt a lot in AFRIFF, it has taught me that I still have a long way to go. The Nigerian Film Industry, Nollywood, is growing everyday and is getting better. We should not relent now, it’s a struggle, but we have to give it all we’ve got,”he said

    An AFRIFF official, Madubuko Francis, said the festival was not only meant for screening films, but to bring in film experts to talk and train participants. He said: “The festival has been an eye-opener for many because you get to see people and films and those, who make the process possible, not just those in Nigeria, but also because most of the panelists were drawn from different parts of the world. They were on ground to analyse and talk about the film making process, what makes a good movie and what is expected from a movie.

    “The challenges faced in putting all of these together are the venue; we were supposed to have two screening rooms here, but we only have one and we had to shift the time for some of the movies screened. Some of the film will be analysed by the panelists and the best amongst them will be picked out for recognition.”

  • AFRIFF: Our challenges as female entrepreneurs, by panelists

    AFRIFF: Our challenges as female entrepreneurs, by panelists

    …As French embassy leads funding opportunities session for Nollywood

    For the women and entrepreneurship panel which took place at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, Thursday morning, at the ongoing Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), it was sisters doing it all for themselves.
    The event commenced with the screening of ‘She Started It’, a rousing feature length documentary film, exploring the cultural roots of female under-representation in entrepreneurship. ‘She Started It’, making use of intimate, action-driven storytelling prowess, highlights the challenges and triumphs of female tech entrepreneurs working in Silicon Valley.
    The film screening was immediately followed by a panel discussion comprising a star-heavy lineup of female entrepreneurs.
    Moderated by Afie Braimoh, CEO of Sacfruits and Operations Director of AFRIFF, the speakers were filmmakers, Uche Jombo and Blessing Effiom Egbe (The Women, Lekki Wives), Damilola Sobowale, Creative Director, SMIDS animation studio, and Joycee Awosika, Founder, Oriki, a skincare brand.

    Afie Braimoh, left, with the panelists

    The panelists all spoke on the challenges they face as females doing business in Nigeria, stressing their own individual experiences. While some of these drawbacks were a recurring element in the narratives, the women were united in their resolve to keep pushing as they pursued their passions single-mindedly. The event was presented in collaboration with the United States embassy and had selected students in attendance.
    At the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, Lekki, Canon hosted a teaching session on how to livestream on different social media platforms (Youtube, Facebook) with simple software and inexpensive cameras. Some of the participants were allowed a practical feel of what was taught and demonstrated livestream setups.
    The Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde headlined ‘Alter Ego’, one of the three Nigerian films in competition for the festival’s biggest prize was screened, as well as the OC Ukeje/Joselyn Dumas reunion vehicle, ‘Potato Potahto’, playing out of competition. The French Embassy showcase of French films kicked off with showings of the Luc Besson blockbuster, Valerian, and the race relations comedy, He Even Has Your Eyes.
    At the Silverbird Galleria, the Institut Francais/Embassy of France presented a workshop on funding opportunities for Nollywood in terms of scripting and production funds headlined by Julien Ezanno, head of bilateral relations at the National Centre for Cinema and The Moving Image, France and featuring representatives from the Norwegian film industry.
    A session on the role of cinema in diplomacy followed shortly after with heavyweights such as Obi Asika who presents the annual Social Media Week, and Charles Novia (Alan Poza) join the panel to speak on their perception of the industry.

    The play at Terra Kulture

    Terra Kulture, and Bolanle Austen Peters Production played host to filmmakers, government officials and the diplomatic community for the French Embassy facilitated Cultural Night. The highly entertaining event involved a sneak peak of the upcoming stage musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, which premieres in December, plus a rousing rendition of the classic South African staple, The Gumboot Dance (isicathulo). There was also a musical excerpt from Saro the Musical and live rendition of popular hit songs from a duo of talented vocalists. A cocktail and networking session followed.

    Scene in the play at Terra Kulture

    AFRIFF is an annual weeklong, all-encompassing world class showcase running, this year, from October 29, to November 4, 2017.
    About 200 carefully curated feature lengths, shorts, documentaries and student films are being screened this year. The festival also encompasses talent development classes, industry workshops and inspiring creative discussions.

  • AFRIFF: U.S., Britain, South Africa, others hold special day

    AFRIFF: U.S., Britain, South Africa, others hold special day

    It was an international day for filmmakers on Tuesday, as different countries staged special programmes at the ongoing Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos.

    Opening with a lighting design masterclass facilitated by the Embassy of the United States, the six-hour long session which was held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos, had the veteran Christian Epps mentoring a huge crowd of participants.

    This was just as delegates gathered at Eko Hotels and Suites for a high powered business clinic on co-financing and co-production opportunities with South Africa. The session was facilitated by Nigerian filmmaker, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, while presentations were made by Zama Mkosi, Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation, and representatives from the KwaZulu Natal Film Commission, paving the way for collaborations between Nigeria and South Africa.

    In the same vein, the much anticipated Film Connection project, a British Council scheme that seeks to increase partnerships between Nigeria and the UK took place at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas. Nadia Denton, who curated the films selected for the showcase wowed the audience with useful tips for filmmakers, arming them with strategies for hitting the international festivals circuit.

    Victoria Thomas facilitated an interesting clinic on packaging and pitching African stories to the global film market, a topic close to the heart of many attendees, considering the recent strides of Nollywood in that direction. There was also a session by academics from the Universities of Portsmouth and Greenwich on recording sound and producing for television.

    The British Council Film Connections was headlined by the documentary, WHITNEY, the latest from acclaimed British director, Nick Broomfield, and a tour de force on the life of singer Whitney Houston who passed away under tragic circumstances in 2012. Other films in the Film Connections selection include BAFTA winner, ‘Under the Shadow’, ‘The Hard Stop’, ‘A Moving Image’, ‘Robot & Scarecrow’, ‘Tower XYZ’ and ‘Mrs Bolanle Benson’.

    At the Afrinolly studios in Oregun, the acting, screenwriting and Canon DSLR classes continued with mentors like Hilda Dokubo, Victor Sanchez Aghahowa and Leke Alabi-Isama.

    At Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, the ultraviolent Haitian short film, ‘Kafou’, a bloody, depiction of gang life and jungle justice in inner city streets got positive responses. So did the Moses Inwang directed Omotola Jalade Ekeinde star vehicle, ‘Alter Ego’. ‘The Whale Caller’ (South Africa), the big screen film adaptation of Zakes Mda’s fantastical novel also screened.

    The cautionary tale, ‘Las Gidi Vice’, a film about a lady sexually molested by an acquaintance and feel good drama, ‘Armstrong, hoisted Nigeria’s flag in the shorts category at the Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island. Mozambique’s Oscar hopeful, ‘The Train of Salt and Water’ was screened alongside the France/Mali collaboration, ‘Wulu’, both films sharing a survival-in-spite-of-dismal-circumstances theme running through them.

    Mildred Okwo, Funlola Aofiyebi Raimi, Lala Akindoju, Omoye Uzamere Abba T. Makama and C.J Obasi are some of the famous faces who participated.