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  • NFC gets 3,120 submissions for Zuma film festival

    NFC gets 3,120 submissions for Zuma film festival

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has acknowledged the receipt of 3,120 submissions for this year’s Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF).

    NFC said it received submissions from Nigeria, Iran, India, the United States (U.S.A.), Spain, and France ahead of the 14th edition of the film festival scheduled to hold from December 1 to 5 in Abuja.

    The corporation announced the submissions while addressing reporters during the unveiling of ZUFF logo and the theme: Digital Renaissance: Embracing the Future yesterday in Abuja.

    At the pre-event media briefing, NFC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Ali Nuhu said: “The Zuma International Film Festival is more than an event. It is a movement that promotes Nigeria’s cultural and creative economy. The festival creates jobs, empowers the youth and fosters collaborations across borders. “This year, we highlight the transformative power of digital technology in filmmaking with over 3,120 film submissions from countries, including Nigeria, Iran, India, the U.S.A., Spain, and France.”

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    The NFC boss announced that renowned filmmaker and actress, Stephanie Okereke Linus, would be a member of the jury along with other distinguished film experts.

    Art and Tourism Minister Hanatu Musawa said the film festival is a pivotal moment for the creative ecosystem. 

    She said: “Vice President Kashim Shettima will deliver the keynote lecture at this year’s Zuma International NFC Annual Film Festival.

    “The lecture, titled: Digital Ecosystem Redefining African Cinema, will explore how digital solutions are transforming the film industry by driving job creation, wealth generation, and regional trade. It aims to position Nigeria not just as Africa’s creative hub but also as a global cultural force.

    “This is a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries.

    “The world is increasingly captivated by our talent and our stories, and the Vice President’s lecture will address the crucial role of the digital ecosystem in revitalising African cinema.

    “The Nigerian government is creating an enabling environment through supportive policies, international agreements, and digital platforms.”

    The minister expressed gratitude to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, for their continued collaboration with the NFC in hosting the Zuma International Film Festival.

    “Abuja is becoming the cultural and creative heart of the country,” she said.

  • 2019 Zuma Film Festival calls for entries

    THE Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has announced December 1 to December 7, 2019 as date for the 2019 edition of the Zuma Film Festival (ZUFF).  The festival which takes place in Abuja has as its theme, ‘CONTENT CONNECTIVITY: Everyview, Everywhere.’

    NFC also announced that entry for ZUMA Film Festival 2019 opens on July 1, 2019 and closes on October 30, 2019. All entries, addressed to the Festival Director, ZUMA FILM FESTIVAL can be submitted through the free film way platformwww.filmfreeway.com/zumafilmfestival; or to ZUMA FILM FESTIVAL Secretariat, Nigerian Film Corporation Headquarters, Jos Plateau State, as well as NFC Zonal Offices in Lagos, Asaba, Umuahia, Yola, Kano and Abuja. Entry forms can be also be downloaded from the festival and NFC websites; www.zumafilmfest.gov.ng; www.nigerianfilms.gov.ng.

    The award categories for entries are: Best Cinematography, Best Script, Best Animation, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, Best Student Film, Best Picture, Best Indigenous Film.

    According to a statement issued in Jos, Plateau State and signed by Brian Etuk, Head of Public & Intergovernmental Affairs, ZUMA Film Festival 2019 will be an improvement on past editions.

    The statement quotes Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director & Chairman, Organising Committee of ZUFF that no effort will be spared to ensure that ZUFF 2019 sustains the narratives that Nigeria is indeed the hub of film production activities in Africa.

    According to him, ZUFF 2019, the 10th in the series will again provide the platform to sustain the recognition of Nigerian film makers who have or are adding the needed value to the development of the art and business of filmmaking.

  • WOMEN IN FILM: THOUGHTS FROM ZUFF 2018

    AS more and more women continue to make significant impact in the male-dominated motion picture industry in Nigeria, there are indications their potentials are boundless, if limitations are eschewed.

    This was the position of discussants during a ‘Women in Film’ panel, at the last ZUMA Film Festival in Abuja.

    The forum with the theme, ‘African Women Telling Their Stories: The Challenges and Prospects’ was one of the most interactive sessions at the festival, as young and older women shared experiences on how their beauty is either placed above their brains, or how they are considered too weak a sex to take the front seat.

    The session had Spanish filmmaker Carbelleira Arantxa Aguirre as Keynote Speaker, and Dcns. Grace Gekpe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture as Special Guest of Honour, while panelists include notable broadcaster, Moji Makanjuola, filmmakers Edima Otuokon and Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, Cameroonian actress Kocabelle Mini, and actress Augusta Isaac.

    According to the Guest Speaker who represented former Vice President of Spain at the event: “Women are often seen in second positions which always puts them at a disadvantage.”

    Following the enthusiastic discussions thereafter, Aguirre asserted that the stories of gender bias are not peculiar to Africa, as women in the creative industry in Spain are faced with similar challenges.

    She urged women to ignore the limitations and focus on their goals in life, believing that consistency and ability to ignore distractions is key.

    Relating her experiences, Hajiya Fatima who said she developed interest in film right from secondary school, disclosed that, coming off her challenges, she had focused on lifting other women in the Kannywood film industry.

    She recalled that it was difficult in the past to get women to feature in her movies because actresses were either regarded as outcasts or prostitutes.

    The dream of Kocabelle of becoming an actress was achieved in Nigeria, having faced difficulties with the male folks in Cameroon. The ‘The Johnsons’ actress disclosed that she left Cameroon in 2012 where she was creative director in an advertising agency. She attempted being a writer in the Cameroon film industry, but said whenever she entered any of the offices, especially where men were the bosses, the conversations usually shifted to romance.

    She expressed regret that men she met were unable to look beyond her physical attributes as a woman, and see what could come out of her intellect.

    While in Nigeria, she decided to embrace acting, attended series of auditions and got her break in ‘Hotel Majestic’, purely on merit.

    Makanjuola also changed the narrative for herself as the only woman in the newsroom in her days as a young journalist.

    “Often times we speak to the limitations that women in film, broadcasting face. But i think we should dwell more on the strength and capabilities of women.”

    She recalled that back in the day, as the only woman in the newsroom, she used to be given women stories to write until she declined, saying she wanted to report politics, business, etc like her male counterparts.

    “As a result of this, I had been on donkeys, on my feet, in canoes to report events and places like other men. Women must find a way to showcase their capabilities. Until we start crossing the bridge for investment, we may not have women in the scheme of things. Until we begin to put out money where our mouth is, we may not move forward,” said Makanjuola who advocated for a consortium of women in the film industry to startup businesses and support other women.

    Makanjuola who partook in FESTAC 77 performances said, it is the strength, by women, to move forward that can salvage the gender imbalance. “There must be a deliberate move where people can invest voluntarily in women career interests,” she said.

    Emina spoke about the dearth of films by women at film festivals and the need to train more women creatives and invest in filmmaking.

    “Being the only woman in the room is an embarrassment in the 21st century,” she said, adding that her group is in talks with the Nigerian Film Corporation over an academy that is strictly focused on women, with a curriculum developed at the international level in areas of production, cinematography, animation etcetera.

    An actress, Augusta Isaac brought a fresh dimension to the discussion when she said some women throw themselves cheaply to the men, seeking undue favour, as most actresses now want to have it easy instead of working hard.

    Despite the criticism against men, there are indications that some male folks are working to correct the seeming imbalance.

    Reacting to the discussion, Chuks Mordi who runs a film festival abroad disclosed that 66 percent of films in his festival are by African women.

    “African renaissance is being spearheaded by women, and we must not continue to do things the same way,” he said.

  • Film screenings, workshops, boat ride, city tour excite ZUFF participants

    As part of the activities of the ongoing Zuma Film Festival (ZUFF) in Abuja, the second day of the week-long event recorded a huge turnout by film enthusiasts, whetting their appetite for the events that were to follow at different venues in the Federal Capital Territory.

    The day was enriched with Free Film Screenings, Emerging Talents and Film Masterclass, as well as a guided tour of Abuja’s rich natural parks and landscape, which was wrapped with a Free Boat Ride on the Zuma Twin Engine Boat on the Jabi Lake.

    The Masterclass session had various students from across the country, who received training from resourceful facilitators who took them in Cinematography, Film Editing, Directing, Film Production Management and other related areas.

    At the Abuja National Park, participants were taken round the large expanse of forest, housing some of the most beautiful animals available in the country.

    Some of the participants expressed delight to the organisers of the festival for the unique exposures.

    On the delegation were the Director of Engineering Services, Mr. Haruna Nanven; Director of Planning and Statistics, Mr. John Ufom; Director of Human Resources,Mrs. Eunice Ochoga; NFC’s Head of Abuja Office, Mrs. Halima Oyelade among others.

  • Zuma Film Festival to kick off December 1, NFC promises

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has assured that preparations have reached advanced stages for a successful ZUMA film festival, 2018. The theme of the festival is “Archiving For Creativity”. Speaking to film stakeholders in Lagos last week, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director and Chairman, ZUMA Film Festival Organising Committee, said that the nation is set to witness another film fiesta that is intended to up the ante of film production activities.

    Domestic and foreign participation for ZUFF 2018, has improved as against last year especially in collaborations and partnerships. He announced that over 3,700 films have been received from filmmakers for both the competitive and non-competitive categories of ZUFF entries. He also disclosed that delegates to the film festival, scheduled for December 1-7, in Abuja, stood at over 1300. He cited as impressive the collaboration and partnership for ZUFF 2018, including participation of the embassies of Spain, Germany, France and the United States of America, Arsenal Film Institute, Goethe University of Frankfurt as well as, the NTA, NBC, NFVCB, NTDC, NAN, FRCN, KAPITAL-FM, PRTVC -Jos, Google, Homevida, DSTv-Africa Magic, and various Nigerian universities.

    ZUMA film festival 2018, in terms of content and scope, he further said, aside the recognition and reward excellence includes the emplacement of some form of intellectual windows, Master Classes, Seminars, Roundtable discussions, Business meetings, and Emerging Talent Workshops, to be undertaken by experts to address critical aspects of film production in Nigeria.

    Key features of the seven-day film fiesta include the free 12 hour (10.00am -10.00pm) daily film screenings at Genesis Cinema, Ceddi Plaza, Abuja; international workshops on Archiving; Women in Film Forum, with Her Excellency, Ms Maria Theresa Fernandez, former Vice President of Spain and currently Chairperson, Advisory Council to the Spanish Government as the special guest; NFC Annual Film Lecture to be delivered by erudite scholar and Diplomat par excellence, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, on the topic: FILM ARCHIVING AS A TOOL FOR DIPLOMACY.

    Speaking further, Dr. Maduekwe said that the festival theme “Archiving for Creativity” shall reignite the consciousness in film makers and other stakeholders on the important role of film – audio visual archiving of creative works and its posterity values.  “It is a paradigm shift to protect and preserve several thousands of films that have been produced in Nigeria, the past decades”. Several pieces collections of audio-visual and film materials are being lost due to non preservation.  In some ways, he averred, ZUFF 2018 sets to redefine the need and potentials of audio visual archiving in Nigeria. NFC through ZUFF 2018 seeks to bring to the front burner the need to preserve Nigeria’s memory for future generations of Nigerians, with no end point. Our goal is to have these images, and the sounds associated with the images, available for present and future generations. As the world is being driven by digital technologies, filmmaking in Nigeria and indeed around the world equally should move with these inventions and innovations.

    Highlights of the 2018 and the 9th edition of ZUMA film festival also include the recognition of Nigerian filmmakers, (including living and post humous legends) whose resilience, have characterized the growth of the Nigerian film industry. Aside the competitive and non competitive categories of recognitions, the legends will be recognized through the Nigerian Film Society Rock of Fame Award. ZUMA 2018 Award categories are Best Cinematography, Best Script, Best Short Film, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, Best Student Film, Best Picture, and Best Indigenous Film.

    Meanwhile the stakeholder’s interaction took place at the newly constructed state of the art NFC Cineplex, Lagos, which was unveiled to the public. Speaking, the Chairman of NFC Board, Alhaji Abubakar Gambo, said that construction of the Cineplex by the Corporation was a result and determination of the NFC Board and Management to help address the dearth of cinema viewing centers in the country. He assured that, the Board will continue to sustain its weight through the provision of policy advice to the NFC to enable it deliver on its mandate. The new NFC Cineplex has a 150 seat capacity.

  • NFC announces date for 2018 Zuma Film Festival

    NFC announces date for 2018 Zuma Film Festival

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), organisers of the Zuma Film Festival 2018 (ZUFF), has announced the dates for its 2018 edition themed ‘Archiving for Creativity’.

    According to the organisers, the film festival will take place from December 1 to 7 in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Speaking at a Press Conference in Abuja last Wednesday, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director and Chairman, Organising Committee of ZUFF said, all that needs to be emplaced to ensure a successful film festival have been set in motion.

    Maduekwe expressed optimism that ZUFF 2018 will be used to further the cravings by Nigerian film stakeholders for a film industry that is globally competitive. According to him, ZUFF 2018, the 9th in the series will again provide the platform to sustain the recognition of Nigerian film makers who have or are adding the needed value in the development of the art and business of filmmaking.

    The world, according to Dr. Maduekwe is being driven by digital technologies, and therefore filmmaking in Nigeria and indeed around the world must equally adapt to these inventions and innovations.

    The NFC, he said is persuaded to use ZUFF 2018 to push this agenda forward, having just witnessed the Full Digitisation of one of Nigeria’s classic films, ‘Shaihu Umar’, which received a public presentation and screenings at the just ended Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) 2018.

    “We intend to leverage on the restoration of ‘Shaihu Umar’, draw on the great potentials there in, and pursue a consciousness towards a national audiovisual archiving policy,” he said.

    As part of the strategies put in place for ZUFF, key partnerships and collaborations with relevant agencies of government and private individuals and organisations will be retained and expanded.

    Also, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya was named as Chairman of Jury, ZUMA Film Festival, 2018.  Adesanya is a renowned filmmaker and television director. He was Jury President, Video/TV Category, FESPACO 2009.

    Entry for Zuma Film Festival 2018 opened March 1 and will close September 30.

  • ZUFF 2017: Organisers want more festivals to market Nigerian films

    ZUFF 2017: Organisers want more festivals to market Nigerian films

    Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation ( NFC ) and Chairman of ZUMA Film Festival ( ZUFF ) has called for more film festivals to attract investors and create market for Nigeria films.

    He made the call during an interview on Sunday night on the side line of events at the 2017 edition of ZUMA Film Festival held in Abuja.

    The eight edition of the Nigerian prestigious film fiesta, with the theme, “Feast on Films”, holds from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3 at the Jabi Lake Mall in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to Maduekwe, as the Nigerian film industry grows, it needs to be promoted as a viable investment option to both local and the international business communities, and film festivals are veritable platforms to be used.

    “We are aware of the tremendous impact of the Nigerian film industry on the economy of the nation, Africa and indeed around the world.

    “The enormous impact of Nollywood, as the industry is popularly called, is to be further strengthened through Film Festivals,” he said.

    He further explained that in order to effectively showcase Nollywood as a viable investment opportunity and alternative means of employment and wealth creation, the once biennial ZUFF, will be held annually.

    “This is to position the festival and bring it to par with others in Africa and other parts of the world, and to sustainably stimulate film production activities in the country.

    “We are also optimistic that negotiation for co-production deals, sell of film rights as well as investment opportunities will be explored.”

    According to him, the 2017 edition of the film festival was packaged to showcase Nigeria’s film industry, art, culture and tourism as alternative means of employment and wealth creation.

    “This year, we mounted a re-branded ZUMA Film Festival designed to explore the economic and audiovisual potentials of Africa’s largest motion picture industry

    Also, a report states that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who was the chief host, commended the organisers of the ZUFF and pledged Government’s support to the growth of the film industry. ZUMA Film Festival ( ZUFF )

    “Since diversification of the economy is crucial to this Government, the movie industry is a viable option, and government will give all necessary support to ensure that it does well,” he said

    A reports indicates that the ZUMA Film Festival, now in its 8th edition, is platform for Nigerian film practitioners to network with their counterparts from other parts of the world and thus stimulates co-production and financing opportunities.

    It presents the Nigerian film industry as a vibrant and viable investment option to Nigeria and international business communities

    The 2017 edition of the festival featured ‘Emerging Talent Film Exposition’, where top filmmakers and actors, including Kunle Afolayan, held master classes for young and upcoming actors.

    It also presented, among others, exhibition days like Lagos Day, Kano Day, Abia Day and Morocco Day, as well as ‘Celebrities Hangout”, where fans met and familiarize with film celebrities of their choices.

    Film stakeholders and investors within and outside the shores of Nigeria attended the film festival.

    NAN

  • ZUMA FESTIVAL 2017: Gowon to chair annual film lecture

    ZUMA FESTIVAL 2017: Gowon to chair annual film lecture

    FORMER Nigerian head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), GCFR, will chair the 2017 edition of ZUMA Film Festival (ZUFF), billed to hold at Lake Mall, Abuja, from December 1 to 3, 2017.

    A statement signed by Brian Etuk, Coordinator, Press and General Media, says that General Gowon, is elated by the decision of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) to host the Film Festival and use its platform to sustain the narratives on the need for Nigerians to live together as one great people.

    General Gowon commended NFC under Dr. Chidia Maduekwe as Managing Director/Chief Executive for providing the necessary environment for the development of Nigeria’s motion picture industry.

    Gowon said it was against the background of NFC’s achievements and desire to sustain its contributions to the overall growth of the nation that he threw his weight behind ZUMA Film Festival 2017, and subsequently accepted to Chair the Annual Film Lecture.

    The eighth edition of the NFC Annual Film Lecture, with the theme “Sustaining Socio- Cultural and Political Integration in Nigeria: The Film Perspective” will be delivered by Professor Femi Shaka, film scholar and Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The lecture to be delivered on day two of the festival will address the current narratives of threats to our country’s unity, peace and progress through the development of positive images and stories, translated into moving images that portray and reinforce tendencies that promote our diverse cultures, economies, languages and dialects, yet as one indivisible nation.

    The first edition of ZUMA Film Festival, known then as Nigerian National Film Festival held in 1999 at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. However, the name of the festival was changed to ZUMA Film Festival in 2006 and subsequently moved to Abuja.

  • NFC announces return of Zuma Film Festival

    NFC announces return of Zuma Film Festival

    After its last outing in 2014, the biennial ZUMA Film Festival, Abuja, organised by Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), will resume in December 2017.

    Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos last Thursday, Managing Director of NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, said, not only is the festival returning, it is being rebranded with a better global pep.

    “There are plans to boost the festival so Abuja and its environs can feel the impact of ZUMA Film Festival,” said Maduekwe.

    “In that regard more people will have the opportunity to watch several films. Consequently, commencing from the 1st to the 3rd December there will be outdoor screenings at Jabi Lake Park, Old Parade ground and select venues in Kubwa,  Nyanya and Lugbe. Music shows will precede the screenings while regular screenings will also hold at Silverbird cinemas.”

    Tagged ‘Feast on Films,’ this year’s edition of the film festival is scheduled to hold from December 1 to 5 with a glamorous opening ceremony which will include a red carpet, opening film and cocktail at the Silverbird Cinema, Abuja and a closing ceremony cum awards night at the International Conference Centre.

    According to the NFC boss, other activities lined up for the festival include workshops, master-classes and NFC annual lecture will take place at the same venue.

    He said proposals for collaborations with sister agencies are ongoing, to enhance and enrich the components of the festival.

    Announcing film scholar and former Managing Director of the NFC, Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi, as head the jury for films in official competition, Maduekwe said committees have been set up in the various geo-political zones of the country, and zonal coordinators appointed.

    “We have as zonal coordinators for South West- Mr. Tunde Kelani, South East- Mrs. Patience Ozokwor, North West-Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, North Central – Mr. Edward Fom, South South Mr. Richard Mofe-Damijo, North East Mallam Al -Amin Ciroma.”

    This year’s edition will be the 8th in the series since the festival made debut in year 2000.

    Maduekwe said the festival will continue to serve as a platform for Nigerian film practitioners to network with their counterparts from other parts of the world, stimulate co-production and financing opportunities, and support job creators.

    He expressed gratitude to the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari (GCFR), whom he said is equally the Grand Patron of ZUMA Film Festival for the support the film sector has been receiving.

    “Indeed, the film sector, which has contributed over 1.4% to the nation’s GDP, is being galvanised with a renewed impetus to not only up its contribution to the nation’s economy, but to increase its potency as a tool for peace, unity and progress of the nation.

    Entry for the festival, he said, will open on July 3rd 2017 and to close on September 31st, 2017.

    He said: “Interested participants, film makers, investors, students/scholars, exhibitors and distributors, production and film equipment companies, journalists and the media may pick up entry forms at our zonal offices in Abuja, Kano and Lagos. Also entry forms can be picked from other designated centers across the country. Equally, entry forms can be downloaded from the festival and NFC websites;www.zumafilmfest.gov.ng; www.nigerianfilms.gov.ng or mdnigerianfilms@gmail.com.”

     

  • Zuma Film Festival to highlight Nigeria’s centenary achievements

    Zuma Film Festival to highlight Nigeria’s centenary achievements

    The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Danjuma Dadu, has said that the 2014 Zuma Film Festival will showcase the centenary achievements of the nation’s film industry.

    Dadu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the festival, which coincides with the nation’s centenary celebrations, would mark 100 years of outstanding achievements, success, development and growth of the film and video industry.

    According to him, the programme would offer Nigerians and the international community an opportunity to review 100 years of film production in the country.

    He stated that the movie industry had help to project the nation’s rich cultural heritage to the world and contributed to the development of human capital.

    “Nigerian films are fast transmitting our cultural values and idiosyncrasies, which have had a profound impact particularly on the African continent. As Nigeria celebrates 100 years as a nation, we are also celebrating her development and endowment in natural and human resources. As a nation, Nigeria is blessed with a rich cultural heritage and diversity in arts.

    “Nigeria has made significant progress in diverse areas of her social, political and economic life. Presently, Nollywood stands as a home grown industry, with clear evidence to the initiative and enterprise of the Nigerian-can-do spirit,’’ he said.

    He added that the event, which is the seventh edition, would be an avenue to further harness the vast potential and creative abilities in the industry waiting to be developed.

    Tagged “Nationalism and Patriotism”, the event, which is scheduled to hold from May 4 to 8, at Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, will feature brainstorming sessions by stakeholders in the film industry.

    According to him, some of the events lined up for the festival include the premiere of new films, film and video market exhibitions, emerging talents film festival, master classes workshop, children film festival and Zuma Film Festival awards night, among others.