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Tag: Kunle Afolayan

Kunle Afolayan, others turn up for Recall for Men

The Yetunde Bernard Company, last Saturday, at The Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos held the maiden edition of its Recall for Men initiative targeted at the 21st century man.

The conference, which was themed, ‘The hustle is Real’, covered pressing issues in men’s life such as, staying relevant while going through life’s transitions, fatherhood, spiritual awakening and other key spheres of influence in a man’s life that need to be fully developed.

The event which was well-attended by young and old men was an opportunity to exchange revolutionary ideas with like-minded men. Participants also used the avenue to relax, unwind and shop from various exhibitors like Nescafe, DStv, Microsoft, Food Courts amidst cocktail.

Recall for Men conference had creative industry giants as speakers, including Kunle Afolayan, Edi Lawani, DJ Jimmy Jatt and Japheth J. Omojuwa.

Speaking at the event, the convener, Yetunde Bernard said men’s issues hardly gain attention, “the society has unconsciously denied male child a voice to speak when he is hurt.”

“This is me being a good mother of two boys. The society put a lot of responsibilities on these men and we women also indulged them in many things. They tell you, ‘boys will always be boys’; ‘you are the head of home.’ What does that really mean?

The life-changing project was however segmented into Community, Masterclass and Conference, giving the audience the chance to meet, interact and tap from the experts’ pool of knowledge.

The masterclasses are engagement platforms that help participants to develop a working understanding and highly profitable industries as well as critical insight about how to excel in certain industries.

Facilitators for the Masterclasses include Bankole Bernard (Travel and Tourism), Mudi (Fashion), Kunle Afolayan (Media and The Arts) and Kola Aina (ICT).

Bernard claimed that there is a rise of women empowerment and feminism programmes globally and she intends to use her conference to bridge the gap.

“As a person, I used to ask myself, what can I do differently to help? Is there someone out there who needs help? That are the questions that initiate this project, Recall for Men. It is more than just a conference; it is a resource center for men. Part of it is our yearly conference and Communities and Masterclass is where men can get practical business tips, enterprise development, starter kits, funding for business ideas, emotional and psychological help, you must be a member to access all this benefits,” she said.

In a video tape aired at the conference, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo urged parents and society to lend the male child a voice to speak when they need help.

In attendance were top personalities like Lead Strategist of the Recall Conference for Men, Olakunle Soriyan, ID Cabasa, Woli Arole and others.

In her vote of thanks, Yetunde Bernard lauds those who supported her idea, saying; “I appreciate all these men (speakers) for coming out and I actually did not pay them a kobo. I started planning actively in about eight months ago. Though, it was challenging getting partners but I thank all the brands that supported me.”

May 2, 2018
Kunle Afolayan’s films on Amazon Prime in US, UK, Germany, Japan

NIGERIAN filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan continues to break new grounds, the latest being the listing of his films on Amazon Prime, a paid subscription service offered by Amazon that gives users access to free two-day delivery, streaming video and music, and other benefits for a monthly or yearly fee.

Amazon launched the programmme in Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom in 2007; in France in 2008, in Italy in 2011, in Canada in 2013; in India in July 2016 and in Mexico in March 2017.

In January 2016, Amazon Prime reached 54 million members according to a report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. Several reports in January 2016 said that nearly half of all U.S. households are members of Amazon Prime.

The world can now watch Kunle Afolayan’s Golden Effects films, including “The Figurine (Araromire)”, “The C.E.O.” and “October 1” on Amazon Prime in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.

A statement by Golden Effects media on Tuesday says: “In light of requests from various fans of ours in diaspora who for reasons of distance are unable to watch our films, we are most delighted to inform you that you can now watch our films on AMAZON PRIME.

“Due to its gradual expansion, Amazon Prime is still not available in Nigeria, however, if you are in the United States, The United Kingdom, Germany and Japan, you will be able to see these exceptional films from the Nigerian filmmaking industry.”

April 29, 2018
Nodash’s tips to young film makers

Popular filmmaker Adekunle Adejuyigbe who is known as Nodash has mentored upcoming filmmakers on tricks of the trade while he was on the set of a recently shot movie with Kunle Afolayan.

And through 15 days of Instagram posts, he gave tips ranging from film pre-production, cameras, film crews and some very hard truth every film makers need to hear.

Talking from a cinematographer’s perspective he advised young filmmakers to continuously focus on creating ‘emotion-evoking’ scenes.

“Many DPs are more concerned about how the lighting and the camera movement looks on their show reels than how it fits in the story. Resist the urge.

*See the scene before getting on set…when choosing a crew hire people better than you or, at the very least, people just as good. Iron sharpens iron and two sticks rubbing each other is just noise.

Good cinematography doesn’t start with the equipment. It starts in the mind of the Director of photography. After all anyone can operate a camera…they all come with manuals!”

This daily upload of tips went on for two weeks and in his last post, he compared stories and guns.

“The world is ruled by guns and stories,” he wrote.

“Of the two, stories are the most powerful. Guns may get you people’s reluctant attention but stories capture their minds without resistance.

“With the right stories you can conquer a continent, change their names, their gods & corrupt their values but also with the right stories, you can remind people of who they are, restore their self-esteems, and give them hope.

“The media/entertainment industry is the storehouse of every society’s stories. So if you wanna understand a people just study their entertainment…or better still, study their entertainers… or even better still, dear entertainers, study yourselves…of course no one has the right to judge your motivation but as African filmmakers it’s hard to ignore the effects our stories have on our society.

“So as I round up two weeks of sharing my thoughts and tips on Nigerian filmmaking I ask you to ask yourself: “What stories am I telling?”… So as you write that script, get that funding or frame that shot keep it in mind that, even if you don’t care, this is not just about you…The journey never ends and we never stop learning. Treat every day at work like it’s the very first one. “The Tenants of the house” movie is done; the clock has been reset.

“So to all you visionaries, revolutionaries, & poets I say “Cheers to Day 1”

Coming from the man who leads The Elite Film Team, which is touted as the ‘only complete film crew in Nigeria’, many young filmmakers buzzed on his page.

A user, titikuti, wrote, “@i_am_nodash, somebody bera be compiling this tutorias.. Its gona be a best seller for aspiring film makers someday. #watchingyouclosely.. Great stuffs”

Nodash, an award-winning and internationally recognised cinematographer directed photography for films like ‘Isoken,’ ‘The tribunal’ and the recently released ‘The Bridge.’

December 25, 2017
Singer Chidinma makes acting debut in ‘The Bridge’

Nigerian singer and songwriter Chidinma Ekile , popularly known by her stage name Chidinma, has made acting debut in a romantic movie, ‘The Bridge’

The movie produced by Lasun Ray and directed by veteran Nollywood Director Kunle Afolayan, is set to hit cinemas on Dec.8.

The singer and now actress plays the role of Stella, a young lady from a distinguished Igbo family who falls in love and secretly marries Obadare, a Yoruba Prince against her parents’ wishes.

The relationship became threatened by tribal prejudice and the consequences shook the very foundation and unity of both families.

Popular Nollywood stars Zack Orji, Lanre Hassan, Jimoh Aliu and Tina Mba, among others, are featured in the romantic drama.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chidinma’s journey to stardom began in 2010, after winning the third season of Project Fame West Africa, a reality singing competition.

In 2011, she released her first solo single “Jankoliko” featuring Sound Sultan, and it was followed by `Chidinma’, her self-titled debut studio album.

The album was supported by her singles “Jankoliko”, “Carry You Go”, “Kedike” and “Run Dia Mouth”.

She won her first award for the Best Female West African Act Category at the 2012 KORA Awards in Ivory Coast.

She was nominated at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2014, for Best Female, amongst other local and international nominations.

In 2015, Chidinma won the Student Choice Best RnB /Pop Artiste of the year at the Nigerian Oscar Awards and the Best Pop Extra Video Awards at the Nigerian Music Video Awards

November 10, 2017
Kunle Afolayan premieres ‘Tribunal’

After months of hard work, cerebral filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, last Friday, at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, premiered his latest courtroom drama movie titled ‘Tribunal.’

Welcoming guests to the premiere, which also marked the official release of the movie, Afolayan described Tribunal as a movie close to his heart, especially because it serves a cause.

“This is a special film because I worked with people that I always wanted to work with. And I’m glad there is a platform; and I am glad that I worked with them. I would you to look out for one actor that we just discovered as well. ‘Tribunal’ is a collaboration between Golden Effect and Africa Magic,” he said.

Starring the likes of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Funsho Adeolu, Ade Laoye, Norbert Young, Carol King, and Chris Iheuwa, ‘Tribunal’ is a movie that tackles albinism and the level of discrimination albinos face in the society.

Mr Ifeanyi Imo, an albino, is a high flying marketer in a bank. Things begin to go downhill for him when Arese Abebe resumes her appointment as Regional Manager of the bank. His accounts withdrawn from him and instead is given dormant accounts to revive.

Having met with a series of failures, he is shown the way out. He has to look up to a charge and bail lawyer, Mr Jimi Disu who is down on his luck and a fresh-out-of law school rookie, Tawa, to argue his case before a tribunal. He has to prove whether his termination was deserved of whether it was out of what he calls ‘pigmentation discrimination’.

Among guests who graced the premiere were the casts of the movie like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Bimbo Manuel, Funsho Deolu, Carol King, Damilola, as well as the First Lady of Kwara State who sent in her representative, the Albino Community in Lagos and sensational waka singer, Salawu Abeni.

September 4, 2017
Lagos@50: Rousing applause at premiere of Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Roti’

There appears to be no waning verve for the creative ingenuity of rave filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan who, last Friday, dazzled fans with another masterpiece titled ‘Roti’.

The film which screened to the public for the first time as part of the Lagos@50 celebrations, received a rousing applause during a glamorous premiere at the Filmhouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos.

“Does reincarnation really exist? This is one of the things that bother me at times, and this thought has just been put out in this movie,” said Afolayan, during the curtain call.

He disclosed that 80 percent of the film was shot in the premises of Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, while thanking other partners, including Lagos State Government, Bank of Industry, and Africa Magic among others.

The film is one of the three projects produced through a collaborative effort of Africa Magic and Afolayan’s Golden Effects Pictures.

‘Roti’ tells the story of a couple battling with the loss of their only son, Roti.

Years after they lost him to a brief illness, the wife finds a boy called Juwon, too identical not to be their dead son.

She initially receives the experience in wonder and hope of a reunited future with her dead son, but, after she discovers roughly that Juwon is entirely not her dead son, she is washed anew by grief, depression and desperation.

Her desperation spirals for the worst as the decision-making on her future with Juwon becomes rather irrational and reckless.

The film features Kunle Afolayan, Kate Henshaw, Toyin Oshinaike, Faithia Balogun and Afolayan’s son, Dari in his debut movie role.

According to Afolayan, the movie will be released in cinemas across the nation from June 30, 2017.

Last Friday’s premiere of ‘Roti’ followed the release of ‘Omugwo’ currently showing in the cinemas, while the third film in line, “Tribunal’ is expected to be out within the year.

Some of the dignitaries spotted at the premiere include Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Kate Henshaw, Funke Kuti, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Faithia Balogun, Ayo Adesanya, Omowunmi Dada, Ademola Adedoyin,Tunde Kelani, Jahman Anukulapo, Group Head, Creative Industry Division at BoI, Mrs. Cynthia Nwuka, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde.

Another highpoint of the premiere was the unveiling of a special publication on Nollywood as part of activities celebrating Lagos at 50.

The publication named ‘Cinema in Lagos’ is expected to form part of Nigeria’s products for the 2017 Cannes Film Festival where Lagos will be marketed as a film destination.

“Lagos will have a pavilion at Cannes Film Festival which is celebrating 70 years in the same month our dear state celebrates 50 years. As you know, Lagos is home to Nollywood, the second biggest film industry in the world, and Cannes is the biggest film festival in the world. We have therefore put together this special publication called Cinema in Lagos. It will be presented in Cannes to filmmakers, journalists, film buyers and other from across the world,” said Ayorinde.

To this, Dieffenthaler announced that Air France will be offering 15 percent discount to filmmakers and delegates from Nigeria to Cannes Film Festival as part of their support for the Lagos@50 anniversary.

Joining Ayorinde for the unveiling were eminent personalities like co-Chairman, Lagos at 50 Planning Committee, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services, Hon. Segun Olulade; Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Olabowale Ademola; Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Ayodele Subair; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Bamidele Balogun; Commercial Manager at Air France, Arthur Dieffenthaler; filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, and Editor of the publication, Olumide Iyanda.T

May 10, 2017
Lagos@50 to host glamorous premiere of Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Roti’

As Lagos State continues its celebration of 50 years anniversary, the next entertainment show that will put the commercial nerve of West Africa in the spotlight of the events is Kunle Afolayan‘s new flick, ROTI.

The film is an Africa Magic and Golden Effects Pictures collaboration, produced timely to celebrate Lagos on the big screen; the Filmhouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos on Friday, May 5, 2017.

The screening which is scheduled for 6pm is an exclusive premiere which will have cast and crew of the movie, celebrity artistes, sponsor companies and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as Special Guest of Honour.

ROTI tells the story of a couple battling with the loss of their only son, Roti.

Years after they lost him to a brief illness, the wife finds a boy called Juwon, too identical not to be their dead son.

She initially receives the experience in wonder and hope of a reunited future with her dead son, but, after she discovers roughly that Juwon is entirely not her dead son, she is washed anew by grief, depression and desperation.

Her desperation spirals for the worst as the decision-making on her future with Juwon becomes rather irrational and reckless.

The film features Kunle Afolayan, Kate Henshaw, Toyin Oshinaike, Faithia Balogun and Afolayan’s son, Dari in his debut movie role.

May 4, 2017
Lagos begins construction of six new arts theatres

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday said the state government has commenced the construction of six new arts theatres as part of efforts to engage the youths and promote tourism through arts and entertainment.

The governor, who disclosed this while inaugurating a Board of Arts and Culture for the state, said the government was also spearheading the initiatives to transform the National Museum and the iconic National Arts Theatre into world class centres of history, tourism arts and entertainment.

The theatres, which would be located in Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Alimosho and on the Mainland, the governor said would be up and running before the end of this year.

He said the inauguration of the Board was in line with his vision to explore private sector support to nurture new talents and generate events for a sustainable development of the creative arts sector in the state.

Ambode said despite the achievements already recorded in the sector since assumption of his administration, there was still so much to be done if the state will achieve its aim to become a global hub for music, theatre and film.

“The commitment of our administration to harness the huge creative talents that abound in the state in the fields of Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Sports has never been in doubt. The ultimate goal is to use all of these to drive tourism, create employment and increase the contribution of the non-oil sector to the state’s gross domestic product.

“The Council for Arts and Culture which we have just inaugurated has a huge responsibility to translate our vision in this regard to reality,” the governor said.

Ambode said the Board would among other things, be expected to ensure the sustainable management of arts and culture facilities and infrastructures in the state and create a sustainable framework for the sector.

While urging the Board to generate local and international events to showcase and promote the state’s diverse talents in the field of creative arts, music, entertainment and sports, he tasked them to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage while being sensitive to the diverse cultures of the citizens of the state.

Besides, Governor Ambode said that in recognition of the enormous responsibilities the Board would be saddled with, his administration ensured that only seasoned professionals, notable and respected personalities were chosen to serve on the council.

Members of Board include, arts aficionado, Mrs. Polly Alakija as Chairman, with veteran thespian, Mrs. Joke Silva, multiple award winning actor and movie producer, Mr. Kunle Afolayan, influential visual artist, Mr. Kolade Oshinowo and foremost artist and designer, Chief Mrs. Nike Davies Okundaye as members.

Other members are Mobee of Badagry, High Chief Patrick Yodenu, Mobee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi and Director of Culture at the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Saidat Otulana.

April 12, 2017
Kunle Afolayan’s new comedy film, ‘Omugwo’ premieres with pomp

After a series of breathtaking premieres with his pan-African movie, ‘The CEO’, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan pooled another glamorous crowd on Wednesday, with a special screening of his new comedy film, ‘Omugwo’, starring Ayo Adesanya, Patience Ozokwor, Omowunmi Dada, Ken Erics, and Christian Paul among others.

Present at the private screening which held at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, are representatives of Bank of Industry, sponsors of the movie, Africa Magic; distribution company, Silverbird Distribution; and stakeholders in the film industry such as the Founder/CEO of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Ms. Chioma Ude; filmmaker and former Chairman of Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun; filmmaker Chris Ekejimbe; foremost actress, Kate Henshaw; film entrepreneur, Mr. Seun Shoyinka; actors Yomi Fash-Lanso and Funsho Adeolu as well as cast members of the movie – Omowunmi Dada, Ayo Adesanya and Henry Alabi, aka Old Skool.

Addressing guests shortly before the screening of the movie, Afolayan noted that ‘Omugwo’ is an Africa Magic-commissioned film in partnership with his company, Golden Effects Productions. “We were commissioned to do three films,” he said, “and this is one of them. After this, we are going to unveil ‘Roti’ and ‘Tribunal’.”

He said he is particularly excited about the film “because it’s meant to be a small-budget television drama, but by the time you see it, you may want to ask what differentiates a low budget film from a high budget film, because this is just like any of Kunle Afolayan’s productions.”

According to the filmmaker, the film is a slight departure from his usual style of story-telling, going by its comic nature. “It’s a comedy. Because people perceive most of my works as being serious, so I had this watered down. This film is releasing this Friday and this is the first public screening.”

Written by Kemi Adesoye, ‘Omugwo’ tells the story of Omotunde, a young civil engineer, married to Raymond, an OAP who have just had a baby. Coloured by their different cultural backgrounds, their mothers-in-law forcefully move in with the couple to perform the Igbo childcare rite called Omugwo. But instead of relieving their children of the burden of childcare, the mothers’ rivalry complicates life for the young couple to comical effects.

In this highly inspiring film, Afolayan marries a serious subject matter of motherhood with lots of hilarious moments. An ‘edutainment’ movie, ‘Omugwo’ portrays two characteristics of motherhood and gives kudos to the African tradition, while on the other hand, it attempts to prefer solution to some of the challenges faced by young couples especially after the arrival of their first child. Ozorkwo and Adesanya leave viewers with catchy phrases that follow the viewers home and help the story to linger on.

Afolayan used the opportunity of the premiere to introduce his new client, Tecno Mobile, a company he said he will be doing a lot more with, going forward.

This is adding to his list of such companies as Air France, Adron Homes, and Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), among others that he represents as brand ambassador.

April 7, 2017
Kunle Afolayan’s new comedy film, ‘Omugwo’ premieres with pomp

After a series of breathtaking premieres with his pan-African movie, ‘The CEO’, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan pooled another glamorous crowd on Wednesday, with a special screening of his new comedy film, ‘Omugwo’, starring Ayo Adesanya, Patience Ozokwor, Omowunmi Dada, Ken Erics, and Christian Paul among others.

Chioma Ude with Kate Henshaw

Present at the private screening which held at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, are representatives of Bank of Industry, sponsors of the movie, Africa Magic; distribution company, Silverbird Distribution; and stakeholders in the film industry such as the Founder/CEO of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Ms. Chioma Ude; filmmaker and former Chairman of Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun; filmmaker Chris Ekejimbe; foremost actress, Kate Henshaw; film entrepreneur, Mr. Seun Shoyinka; actors Yomi Fash-Lanso and Funsho Adeolu as well as cast members of the movie – Omowunmi Dada, Ayo Adesanya and Henry Alabi, aka Old Skool.

Afolayan with some of his guests

Addressing guests shortly before the screening of the movie, Afolayan noted that ‘Omugwo’ is an Africa Magic-commissioned film in partnership with his company, Golden Effects Productions. “We were commissioned to do three films,” he said, “and this is one of them. After this, we are going to unveil ‘Roti’ and ‘Tribunal’.”

He said he is particularly excited about the film “because it’s meant to be a small-budget television drama, but by the time you see it, you may want to ask what differentiates a low budget film from a high budget film, because this is just like any of Kunle Afolayan’s productions.”

According to the filmmaker, the film is a slight departure from his usual style of story-telling, going by its comic nature. “It’s a comedy. Because people perceive most of my works as being serious, so I had this watered down. This film is releasing this Friday and this is the first public screening.”

Written by Kemi Adesoye, ‘Omugwo’ tells the story of Omotunde, a young civil engineer, married to Raymond, an OAP who have just had a baby. Coloured by their different cultural backgrounds, their mothers-in-law forcefully move in with the couple to perform the Igbo childcare rite called Omugwo. But instead of relieving their children of the burden of childcare, the mothers’ rivalry complicates life for the young couple to comical effects.

In this highly inspiring film, Afolayan marries a serious subject matter of motherhood with lots of hilarious moments. An ‘edutainment’ movie, ‘Omugwo’ portrays two characteristics of motherhood and gives kudos to the African tradition, while on the other hand, it attempts to prefer solution to some of the challenges faced by young couples especially after the arrival of their first child. Ozorkwo and Adesanya leave viewers with catchy phrases that follow the viewers home and help the story to linger on.

Afolayan used the opportunity of the premiere to introduce his new client, Tecno Mobile, a company he said he will be doing a lot more with, going forward.

This is adding to his list of such companies as Air France, Adron Homes, and Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), among others that he represents as brand ambassador.

April 5, 2017