Celebritygist…

Celebritygist…

MovIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

AROUND AND ABOUT NOLLYWOOD

Hey Nollywood… Prepare For Tinsel Gel, Linda Ejiofor

Hey Nollywood… Prepare For Tinsel Gel, Linda Ejiofor

Rita Lights Up The Screen As Clara Ikemba In The Meeting

Rita Lights Up The Screen As Clara Ikemba In The Meeting

Tony Akposheri: No Stopping The ‘Masquerade’

Tony Akposheri: No Stopping The ‘Masquerade’

Movie Run by Shaibu Husseini

Hauwa and her prize

Kenyan filmmaker Hawa Essuman wins fund for film development 

The lettera27 foundation in collaboration with the African Film Festival of Cordoba-FCAT, has granted a 25,000 euro fund under the Director’s Eye initiative, to a project titled Djin (The wind of destiny) from filmmaker Hawa Essuman. The Kenyan director, originally from Ghana, has already received an award this year in the International Film Festival of Durban (DIFF) for her script Logs of War. This same work has also been selected to screen in the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA).  The winning project has been agreed upon as the best of the seven feature length narrative scripts regarding Africa participating in the 4th Forum for African Coproduction, Africa Produces. The Fund, known as The Director's Eye, is confirmed as being allocated to the realization of Djin, a film narrating the history of a Kenyan coastal village reigned over by mythology and tradition as it experiences the arrival of modernity.  The jury, which has commissioned this selection is formed by the Nigerian filmmaker Newton I. Aduaka and South African producer Steven Markowitz, who have noted "the high quality of the participating projects, with which we corroborate a bright future for African cinema". Furthermore, the members of the jury have also given special mention, one without economic endowment, to the third feature length script from Kenyan filmmaker Mira Tanna-Händel, titled Salme's Freedom. The director of the festival, Mane Cisneros, has highlighted that the Directors Eye fund "is not only an economic endowment, but also a means by which the director will have access to support and advice at all times from both the lettera27 foundation as well as the festival. Together, these organizations will accompany Hawa Essuman from start to finish. In addition to the economic endowment of 25,000 euros, the project will have support through the duration of the production process by means of advice, search and dissemination of sponsors, the initiation of crowd funding campaigns and social networking. Following its production; the film Djin, a result of this international coproduction, will be projected at the African Film Festival of Cordoba-FCAT as an international launch platform.  In this way, the FCAT Cordoba which is celebrated from the 13th -20th of October is configured not only as a space for the presentation and projection of films, but also as a point of interaction and dialogue between filmmakers, Spanish audiences, international producers, distributors, and fund managers with the objective or promoting coproduction. 

Kanayo O. Kanayo, MFR

Nollywood’s  KOK launches humanitarian initiative for flood victims

Against the background of the devastating floods that sacked a huge swathe of Nigerian territory raging from North West (Taraba, Adamawa), North Central (Kogi, Benue), South East (Anambra, Imo), South South (Delta, Edo)  geo-political zones, Nollywood superstar, Kanayo O. Kanayo, MFR, has launched a major new humanitarian initiative to bring back smiles to victims of the flood. The actor and recent recepient of the national honours of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) described the recent flooding in some parts of the country as the biggest humanitarian disaster in recent Nigerian history. He said : ‘the raging floods have rendered thousands homeless, destroyed farmlands, buildings and other valuables worth trillions of naira. Whilst the Nigerian Government has responded decisively and swiftly to the natural disaster, the Corporate Nigeria has also responded positively mobilizing men and resources to help fellow Nigerians that find themselves in this condition through no fault of theirs”. It is against this background that the actor said he intends to reach out to well – meaning Nigerians and Non – Nigerians, and Corporate bodies to support the initiative of providing succor to the affected persons through the donation of relief materials such as basic drugs, blankets, mattresses, toiletries, mosquito nets, sanitary wares, and food items. The actor also plans to visit the affected areas to distribute the materials. He said:  “ plan to physically distribute these items myself as an Ambassador of the donor bodies in the affected states. This is no doubt an enormous task and responsibility but I am determined to put smiles once again on the faces of these helpless Victims”.

Clem Ohameze

Nollywood’s good man Ohameze, returns to battle for The Kingdom

After a very long break from mainstream acting, famous thespian, Clem Ohameze is back at the front rows of Nollywood with a scintillating performance in The Kingdom- a soon-to-debut movie. Other talented entertainers that dazzled and wowed moviebuffs in the big budget movie alongside Ohameze include:Eucharia Anunobi, Van Vicker, Jibola Daboh, Annie Macauley-Idibia, Tade Adelana, Chelsea Eze and several others. The Kingdom, from the stable of De Kross Movies Production, was directed by Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi and shot in Abuja, for several weeks with high end equipment and tested crew members. Speaking on the project, youthful Christopher Ozoemena, the executive producer of The Kingdom, disclosed that the flick was shot for the international market in line with global best practices. “The Kingdom, was painstakingly shot on High Definition, thus making it an international movie project. Also, being a big budget movie, we decided to do something different from the usual Nollywood style. Our costumes, locations and even cast and crew were different from the usual stuffs you have around. Our choice of locations made the movie a classic and it also portrayed Nigeria in a good light,” Ozoemena maintained. The Kingdom, which was written by Michael Jaja, tells the heart rending story of an evil king who was hell bent on wiping out the entire family of his friend and business partner, over a failed deal. The plot of the suspense filled flick took a new dimension when one of the sons of the late man returned to avenge the extermination of his family inside the king’s palace. The Kingdom will be screened at some selected international film festivals, before coming home for the commercial release.

Operation Libertad is opening Film of the 3rd Eko International Filmfest

Festival Director Ekoiff Hope Opara and Filmmaker Joe Ubaka at last years festival

The organizers of the annual Eko International Film Festival which is in its third edition have announced that the Swiss film Operation Libertad will open the third Eko International Film Festival scheduled from November 5-10, 2012, at the Silverbird Cinemas on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Directed by the Genevan filmmaker Nicolas Wadimoff, the film was premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival with good reviews and Operation Libertad is Wadimoff first fiction film. Also the organizers have released a long list of films that will be screened at the 5 day long festival. The films include Transthreeded (Spain), Haiti-Land of Hope (Spain), True Gods Have Bones (Spain), My Name is Haiti (Haiti), Free Hugs (Spain), and Heroes to Zeroes, which is the only feature from Nigeria. Further information on the festival and festival list can be sourced at - www.ekoiff.org

Wale Adenuga jnr, Tunde Kelani and others at a recent WAP event

WAP introduces talent show

Nigeria’s foremost entertainment company, Wale Adenuga Productions Ltd., has cooked up another delight, WAP Talent Hunt 2012, set to be of benefit to all Nigerians and the Entertainment Industry as a whole. Rather than being a money-making scheme, the WAP Talent Hunt is mainly targeted at discovering and projecting new talents into the Entertainment Industry, thus the organizers have made Entry into the Talent Hunt free of charge to ensure that everyone will be able to participate and stand a chance to be among the winners. Further buttressing WAP’s aim of using this Talent Hunt as a means to give back to society, the company has also announced that apart from being free to enter, the top 6 contestants will win fabulous cash prizes while 20 StarTimes Decoders are also up for grabs for all contestants as well as instant fame from the Nationwide Exposure on several platforms. The WAP Talent Hunt would accept entries from all age groups and takes place at De Next Centre, Ajao Estate, Lagos on two days- Saturday, 3^rd November for Ages 4 -17 and Saturday, 10^th November for Ages 18 - 60. Wale Adenuga Productions is widely renowned and esteemed for the top-rated TV programmes Superstory, This Life, Papa Ajasco & Co., Nnena and Friends and its recently launched TV station, wapTV, which is quickly becoming a household name.

Michelle Bello ready with Flower Girl

By Hassan Momoh

Michelle Bello

From the mind of Producer/Director Michelle Bello whose last film Small Boy won two African Movie Academy Awards, comes a tale of love lost and won in the city of Lagos. Flower Girl is a romantic comedy that involves the life of Kemi, a shy florist, who is desperate to tie the knot with her long-time boyfriend Umar. Contrary to her expectations, Umar suddenly breaks up with her, leaving her devastated.  In a desperate bid to get him back, Kemi teams up with a most unlikely ally, Tunde Kulani, a famous playboy Nollywood star. The movie addresses the issue of young women who are in a hurry to get married thinking only about their prefect wedding day and not the long-term commitment required by both individuals to make it last. The next generation of amazing Nigerian stars meticulously assembled by Michelle includes Damilola Adegbite, (formerly in Tinsel), Chris Attoh (Tinsel), Eku Edewor (Studio 53), Bikiya Graham Douglas and Chuks Chukwujekwu, starring for the first time as a male lead.  Also starring in the film are famous actors Patrick Doyle, Teni Aofiyebi and Tosan Edremoda-Ugbeye. This dynamic ensemble brings a whole new take on love in Nigeria and audiences are sure to have a highly entertaining experience watching Flower Girl when it is released in 2013.

With an all-star crew including Co-Producer Michelle Dede (Big Brother Nigeria), Art Director Bola Bello (AMAA award winner for Art Direction: Small Boy), award-winning Screenwriter Jigi Bello (Shooter, The Waiting Room) and Director of Photography James Costello (Inale, Last Flight to Abuja and Black November), this production is highly anticipated by filmmakers all across Africa.

Shot entirely on location, Flower Girl is Michelle’s love letter to Lagos and will feature locations familiar to many as well as some exciting parts of the city never seen before in a film.  From churches to business hubs and from electrifying night-life to beautiful lagoon views, Flower Girl captures modern-day Lagos in stunning high resolution that will be enjoyed by audiences everywhere. Information on the movie can be sourced at www.flowergirlthemovie.com and at @flowergirlmovie.

Boorman

 John Boorman is Jury President for Marrakech film festival

Succeeding 2011 Jury President Emir KUSTURICA, and following in the footsteps of the talented filmmakers who came before him, the Feature Film Jury President of the 12th Marrakech International Film Festival will be British director, screenwriter and producer. Boorman, Commander of the Order of the British Empire said he is excited at his nomination as jury president and looks forward to a great festival in Morocco, which begins on November 30 and closes on December 8.  He said: “The most important thing in a Festival is not the jury, but the selection. I look forward to the films that have been gathered particularly the African ones. As a filmmaker I know how difficult it is make a film at all let alone a good one and I salute all the ones that have found their way to Marrakech.” A veteran director, screenwriter and producer, Boorman directed his first feature film, Catch Us if you Can, in 1965 after several documentaries for the BBC. Many brilliant films followed afterwards including Point Blank  (1967), Hell In the Pacific (1968) and The General (1997). John Boorman has received many awards, including two Best Director Awards at the Cannes Film Festival for Leo The Last in 1970 and The General in 1998, and five Oscar nominations (two as a director, two as a producer, and one as a screenwriter). He was a Governor of the British Film Institute for seven years, and Chairman of the National Film Studios of Ireland. Meanwhile the organizers have announced that a special tribute will be paid to Indian cinema on the occasion of the festival. A delegation of celebrities including the biggest stars of Bombay among them Amitabh Bachchan will represent Hindi Cinema, which is very popular in Morocco. Every evening from December 1, the festival will welcome large audiences to outdoor screening of film premieres from Bombay in the presence of Indian film artistes.  Information on the festival can be sourced at www.festivalmarrakech.info.

karen

Karen, Big Brother girl takes a shot at acting

Big Brother Africa winner, Karen Igho is set for a sustained romance on screen as an actress. The entertainment personality who first hit the limelight after she participated in Sola Fajobi produced reality show, Next Movie Star and who had featured in some video works is set to take her acting career to the next level as she plans to take the movie industry by storm. Already she has featured in two movies – Blackberry Babes 2 and Heavy Beauty, which she has used to prove that she can live an acting role. Karen Igho is presently working on a movie that will further help to register her entry into mainstream moviedom. The movie featuring some notable actors is expected to hit the stands in the first quarter of next year. While at this Karen hope to continue her work as a caregiver. The vivacious entertainer has been a supporter of charity works. Her range of charity works involve her helping children living with Cancer, Breast Cancer prevention initiatives, HIV intervention projects and Children Orphanages. Karen is also an ambassador for Peace as she was involved in the We JOS want Peace campaign. Presently working on her clothing line, Karen is a busy well sought after compere who shuttles her time between Lagos, Ghana, South Africa and the United Kingdom. In recent times, Karen has hosted A-list events like Delta@20, Dynamix Awards, and Safari awards, Calabar. Karen is currently co-host of a popular programme on Naija Fm--Wetin Dey.

O.C Ukeje, fast rising Chelsea Eze speak on Hoodrush

For the dynamic trio of O.C Ukeje, Chelsea Eze and Gabriel Afolayan, perhaps, it is time to count and share their blessings as they all open up on how life has been for them after starring in one of the most talked about movies this year, Hoodrush. Even though the movie, Hoodrush won’t be hitting the cinemas till Friday, October 12, 2012, the movie has been generating loads of positive reviews and ratings, features that have made the movie a talking point for many.

                                                                    

 The movie which features other acts like the talented Bimbo Akintola, Bolanle Ninolowo of Diesel Music, Ijeoma Agu, Lee Lee Byoma and others was shot in the city of Lagos and was written, produced and directed by Dimeji Ajibola of Flipsyde Studios. Hoodrush tells a story of two brothers Shez Jabari (O.C Ukeje) and Tavier Jabari (Gabriel Afolayan) closely bonded by their love for music but deeply separated by their means for success. Chelsea Eze played the role of Shakirat in the movie, Hoodrush who later fell in love with Shev Jabari (O.C Ukeje). Speaking on his experience on the set of the movie O.C Ukeje said ‘’for me it was a great experience starring in the movie and even a greater experience thereafter because of the projects I have been called upon to feature in. Hoodrush further put me on the map and I am sure it did that and more for other cast members’’. ‘Shakirat’ a role played by fast rising act, Chelsea Eze said ‘’the movie has indeed opened doors in many ways. I thank the director and I also thank other cast members for the roles they played’’. An exclusive premiere with celebrities in attendance will hold at the upscale Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Winners announced for Abuja International Film Festival

Fidelis and Temitope Duker and Ebiere

It was Kunle Afolayan’s Phone Swap that received the grand jury prize at the 9^th edition of the Abuja International film festival (AIFF), which closed on September 28 in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital.  The film walked over ten other films to emerge the best film of the 4 day long festival held annually every September in Abuja since 2003. Afolayan also received the directing crest as the best director at the award ceremony that was chaired by the Kano state Commissioner for information Dr Umar Farouk who represented Governor Rabiu Isa Kwankwaso at the occasion. Dr. Farouk also received the distinguished merit award on behalf of the governor who was hailed for his support for the motion picture industry in Kano. ‘Not only did Governor Kwankwaso appoint a filmmaker and scholar as Commissioner for Information, the governor approved the setting up of a film academy for Kannywood and a film village for the industry up north’ Fidelis Duker, festival director explained. The other awardees at the ceremony included the actress Kate Henshaw, Okey Ogunjiofor and Chief Adebayo Salami who were recognized for their contribution to the growth of Nollywood. Also Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul’s Married But Living Single was named best Nigerian feature film while Tope Oshin Ogun engaging short film Till Death Do Us Part was named best short film from Nigeria.  New Nollywood girl but Tinsel actress Amaka Anioji was named most outstanding female act for her effort in Till Death Do Us Part while the actor and show host Joseph Benjamin got the outstanding male act crest for his role in Married But Living Single.

Movie Run By Shaibu Husseini

Big sister Palesa was in Naija for Tales of Two cities

Palesa at the Freedom Park in Lagos

Palesa Letlaka was in Lagos for the Tales of Two African Cities project organised by the South African High commission and powered by Ayoola Sadare’s led Inspiro Limited. Letlaka who has directed various multi-media installations in addition to directing and producing various documentaries, youth magazine shows, drama series facilitated the documentary filmmaking workshop organized as part of the film screening segment of the show that seized Lagos for four days from October 3. ‘I am happy to be here and I am glad to be exchanging ideas with young people who are willing to learn’ Letlaka who studied African Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa and who recently completed an MA in History said shortly after she wrapped up the 2 hour long workshop. An award winning filmmaker, Letlaka’s career has spanned over twenty one years. She trained in New York in the late 1980’s, while her career as an independent filmmaker began in South Africa in 1991 as a director and producer of social issue documentaries and television inserts for an independent production house. She later went on to direct fiction films and commercials, where she was commissioned by the United Nations for their 50th Anniversary to direct their only commercial from Africa, which premiered at the Beijing International Women’s Conference in 1995. In 1996 Letlaka directed her second short fiction film the award winning Mamlambo, which has been invited to over thirty festivals and has the distinction of also having been used as part of the course curriculum for the three different academic departments - Architecture, Drama and Urban Geography at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Letlaka is the first black woman to direct commercials and fiction films in South Africa. The former commissioning editor at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), spoke to moviedom.

My first time in Naija

This is my first time in Lagos and in Nigeria and so far it has been great. I am happy that I came. I actually postponed a trip to America to be able to be here.  I wanted to come and experience Lagos and it seems like a very vibrant place. People here are very polite and are ready to chat you up about Nigeria. It is nice to be here. Lagos is different from some of the stuff you read about the city on the Internet and that is because the things that we tend to read about one another through the media are mediated. They are usually not written by us for us. But I am glad I am here. This is the real experience for me. A lot of the other people who travel to the rest of Africa for the first time normally experience shock but whenever I travel, things appear familiar and I feel that I am at home.

First black South African woman to direct a fiction film

 Yes I am the first black South African woman to direct a fiction film and I think that at the time I was doing that it was a lot of self-push because I did that before 1993 and so it wasn’t as a result of freedom. It was as a result of just understanding that I could do it. My father was part of the ANC and so we grew up believing that there is nothing we cannot do. So I took up the challenge and just put my mind to it. I think the situation with having a lot of women behind the camera is improving now because even in South Africa there is more access to film schools and there are more access to broadcast platforms and so this will mean more access to women making stuff because the money will be there. Meanwhile there are universities, there are private film schools and there are also bursaries that come from government so in general we will see more young women coming in to make films. But don’t forget that filmmaking is a hard industry. We are fighting other issues back there in South Africa and not bordered about how many women or men are making films. But there are more women coming up in directing and producing but again opportunities are some what limited and then again you have the situation with broadcast stations who commission most of the works and they don’t want to commission first time directors who have just come out of film school. Which is a problem. They want to engage people who are experienced. But things are looking good and in no time we will have more women behind the camera.

You can’t compare Nollywood with our own industry

You can’t compare what is happening here in Nollywood to the situation in South Africa. Nigeria is even bigger in terms of population so we have to acknowledge and remember that. Nollywood and its revenues are much bigger and its output is big too except that I don’t know what the output is for theatrical releases here. Nollywood is huge. We probably make about 10 maximum including African feature per year but I hear Nollywood churns out more than we do and that the industry is the third largest in the world. So Nollywood is huge.

Taking so much away from here

I am taking away the fact that there is always work to be done. I am always concerned about how I inspire younger people to try and be heard and try to be seen. We have to keep on working with this medium so that the majority of the images that we see of ourselves should be made by us because we are still fighting big imperial forces. We have to be heard. We have to make ourselves seen. I am much more interested in legacy projects now.

I enjoyed Nigerian pepper soup

I have tried the pepper soup catfish and I enjoyed it. But it is very hot. It is really fiery. But I enjoyed it. Then I tried the Egusi soup and pounded yam. Oh that was lovely. I also enjoy the goat pepper soup I ate on arrival.

AROUND AND ABOUT NOLLYWOOD

Airtel Tours Nigeria with AMAA 2012 winning Films

In a bid to make Nigerians outside Lagos experience the glamour and splendor of Africa Movie Academy Awards, Airtel Nigeria in collaboration with the awards organizers will commence a 6-city tour of the top films that were in competition at the last award ceremony. It would be re-called that the 8th edition of the widely popular continental reward scheme for motion picture practitioners in Africa took place on 22^nd April, 2012 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos with top celebrities, captains of industries, business moguls and filmmakers across the world in attendance. The second phase of the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) project is taking on a new platform called the AMAA Film Screening & Party and it’s the first time to be held since its inception and this is supported by Airtel Nigeria the major sponsor of the 2012 awards. 

‘’The AMAA Film Screening & Party is a platform set up to show and screen the winning films of the immediate past edition of the AMAA's across six selected Nigerian Cities. We want Nigerians to see for themselves some of the top films in AMAA and we hope this will laid to rest some of the assumptions by certain people who feels they must win even when there are better or stronger films in competition as far as the eminent jurors are concerned. This is the first time we are taking this initiative and it will become part of AMAA going forward,’’ said Tony Anih, Director of Administration of the award body. The AMAA screening party will berth at Benin this weekend Saturday October 13^th as curtain raiser before moving to Ibadan, Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt and finally Abuja with a Gala Night on 6^th December 2012. The Lagos leg of the screening will take place twice according to Tony Anih. ‘We will have media screening mainly for journalists October 30^th and another one for the general public in Lagos again on December 1^st, 2012. 


PEFTI holds premiere for final year students

Adenuga jnr, Kelani, a guest, and akande 

The annual PEFTI Film Institute National Innovation Diploma (NID) Programme, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), recently held a premiere for its final year students’ projects. The event took place at the PEFTI Film Institute campus situated at Ajao Estate, Lagos, and recognized the presence of prominent practitioners in the media industry, including Mr. Tunde Kelani (TK) of Mainframe Productions, Lanre Olupuna; Director I-REP International and Victor Akande of The Nation Newspaper. The Managing Director of Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP); Mr. Wale Adenuga Jnr, was also present. They graced the venue of the event and also served as the panel that previewed the works done by the final year students, to ensure that the skills acquired during the course of their study, are well utilized and will also play a major role in the growing media industry. Some of the students’ projects were screened and the invited guests were very impressed with the outstanding performances cum ideas of the students. They were praised for their unique performances and also encouraged to work harder. Mr. Tunde Kelani was specifically overwhelmed with the piece presented by the young film makers that he told them how fortunate it was for them to have acquired such a formal education in film-making and so, a lot is being expected from them. The Managing Director of WAP, Mr. Wale Adenuga Jnr, encouraged the graduating students and advised them to package their work for local and international film festivals and get ready, for the industry awaits them.

Mr. Olaitan Faranpojo, the students’ project co-coordinator for PEFTI concluded the programme with a vote of thanks to all and sundry that graced the day with their presence. PEFTI Film Institute offers Professional Training in the diverse disciplines of Film, Television and Music Production. The Annual two (2) year National Innovation Diploma (NID) Programme is open to all who score 160 and above in the 2012 JAMB Exam, irrespective of the chosen institution. 

Why we brought comedians from across Africa to Lagos, Opa Williams

AUDIENCE members at the recently held Opa Williams’ Nite of a Thousand Laughs Xtra got more than what they bargained for when comedians from across the African continent joined forces with their Nigerian counterparts to hold them hostage for over eight hours with rib cracking jokes.

 Leading the African onslaught was Patrick Salvador, a renowned figure in the stand up comic industry in Uganda. He came with the Cotilda, Ugandan version of Nigeria’s female comic Princess and Lepacious Bose all rolled into one. Eric Omondi, the vibrant comedian and Kenya’s biggest export to the world in the laughter trade graced Lagos stage for the first time. Although, Omondi had in May this year tore Abuja crowd apart at the Workers’ Day edition of Opa Williams’ Nite of A Thousand Laughs Xtra. The show was sponsored by mobile telecommunications giant, MTN, Loya Milk and Bacchus Lite among others.    Salvador in a statement signed by Opa Williams’s media Company, Media Image Managers, MIM, described Lagos crowd as one of the best he had performed before in his career so far. “The crowd was receptive, very warm and welcoming…it got to a point I thought I was performing before my people in Kampala. I love Lagos,” he said. Salvador’s joker that sent the packed Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre into a state of frenzy was his joke about his native Mgbokolo village. The laughter was so long and sustained, the comedian had to break it up. “I am grateful to Opa Williams for giving me the opportunity to come to Lagos, Nigeria for the first time in my life. It was a major break for me as a comedian. I believe I had Lagos that night because any comedian that wants to make it must have the ability to make Nigerians laugh, I did it and I thank Opa Williams for that.”  Eric Omondi said he was no stranger to the Nigerian crowd. “I did it in Abuja and I have done it again in Lagos. Lagos show was it for me and thank God we made the Nite of A Thousand Laughs to have the ‘xtra’ package that makes it stand out from any other comedy shows in Africa.”  Tall, Elegant Cotilda could not hide her excitement. “I did a little research about Lagos before I flew in and I discovered there a top female comedians like Princess, Lepa Bose and Mandy, who I have met in Uganda…now, Lagos would add Cotilda to their list of good female comedians they know and have seen deliver. I love Lagos.” Comedy merchant Opa Williams on his part revealed why he made the revolutionary move of bringing comedians from across Africa to rock Lagos at the October 1 edition of his premier comedy show, Nite Of A Thousand Laughs Xtra. “Its fresh comedy, its revolutionary and it can only happen on Opa Williams' Nite of a Thousand Laughs Xtra show,” Williams said.

The show also featured wave making comic acts from Nigeria such as Bovi, Funnybone, Pencil, Ajebutter, Akpororo and veteran Okey Bakassi. “We were on a mission on October 1, and that was to ensure Lagos residents laughed away their stress and thank God it was a public holiday.”  Williams said he decided to experiment with top comedians from African countries “because we have always been known for blazing the trail in the comedy industry and since comedy shows have turned to a ‘see one, see all’ affair, we decided to rewrite the book of comedy according to Opa Williams.” Consequently, what Lagos people saw on that day “was better seen than imagined because as I speak to you, Nairobi, Kenya, Abuja and Kampala, Uganda have not recovered from what they saw when we took the new face of comedy to these places.” When late last year Williams announced he was resting his premier show, Nite of A Thousand Laughs, the whole country was thrown into a shock. Fans nationwide, across Africa and even Europe where the show was popular prevailed on Williams to rescind his decision. The main reason given by the film producer was the bastardization of comedy shows in Nigeria after he began the revolution in 1995. Everybody consequently joined the fray and in no time, it became a ‘see one, see all’ affair as all the shows featured the same set of comedians and musicians. Williams through his media Company, Media Image Managers, MIM, said he was pulling out, as all comedy show organizers were short changing the paying crowd “and I don’t want to be part of the audience short changing scheme.” But after much persuasion, he gave in but had to come up with something different from what others are doing at the moment-Nite of A Thousand Laughs Xtra

MOVIERUN By Shaibu Husseini

Nigeria's Fidelis Duker, Tony Anih and Emeka Ossai at DISCOP Nairobi 2010

Time to head to Jo’bourg for 7^TH DISCOP AFRICA

Basic Lead, the Los Angeles-based organizers of the annual DISCOP AFRICA television content market and coproduction forum, announced during the week that over 1000 non-exhibiting and exhibiting delegates representing 700 companies from 85 countries are expected to take part in Africa's biggest industry gathering dedicated to the production, programming and distribution of multiplatform, television content. In its seventh edition, DISCOP AFRICA will take place from 31 October to 2 November at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg and will feature an exhibition showcasing African and major international suppliers of popular and high-quality film, series, animation, comedy shows, formats, sports content, documentaries, educational programming and thematic channels, as well as distributors of international digital broadcasting and content management solutions providers. The 3-day market will welcome content acquisitions and programming executives representing African broadcasters, Pay-TV platforms, mobile networks, broadband-based TV services, airlines and closed-circuit networks. Over 1000 participants across the continent and the world including over 200 content providers and programmers from Nigeria amongst them the actor Emeka Ossai of Golden Pyramids Proudctions, Amaka Igwe of Amaka Igwe Studios, Chief Steve Ojo of Galaxy Television, Chief Wale Adenuga of WAPTV and Greg Odutayo of Royal Roots Productions and over 100 South African Companies including SABC, ETV, TOP TV, M-NET, MULTICHOICE AFRICA, NFVF, and OCTAGON are expected to attend the content fair. This edition of DISCOP in South Africa will also reinforce DISCOP AFRICA's relevance as a marketplace for independent television content producers operating in Africa. A coproduction forum and an eclectic conference program dedicated to regional and international partnerships will provide them with true and efficient opportunities to sell content, initiate partnerships, access valuable information, connect with key players and learn from experts. "In the not so distant future, one of the main drivers of content business in Africa will be local programming. Inevitably, there will be a shift to regional coproduction and distribution models as non-African content will play a lesser role," says Patrick JUCAUD-ZUCHOWICKI, General Manager of Basic Lead. He added "Independent television content production is already undergoing a huge renaissance as Africa is transitioning from massive importer of content to producer of content that is far more locally relevant, outpacing in the process the traditional production formulas that the rest of the world falls back on so much".  A new pitching competition, FORMATS FROM AFRICA, will also be launched during DISCOP AFRICA 2012, to promote original TV formats created in Africa, which can begin as local successes and end up as international hits. Independent TV Formats producers taking part in DISCOP AFRICA 2012 will be offered the possibility to forward original submissions that have local, regional and international appeal. Ten shortlisted candidates will be invited to pitch their formats live in front of a judging panel of international programming executives and format commissioners. Three winners will be offered funds and expert guidance to develop a pilot. In partnership with Gauteng Conventions and Events Bureau, special efforts will also be deployed to attract South, North American and European television content acquisitions executives interested in the increasing range of good quality content and formats created in Africa. This initiative is driven by recent TV consumption trends, which indicate that a growing number of television operators around the world are acquiring programming "Made in Africa". Nonnie KUBEKA, Marketing Manager at Gauteng Conventions and Events Bureau added, "We are very pleased to support DISCOP AFRICA in encouraging international TV content buyers to seek out African programming for their own networks.  Our mission is to cultivate and facilitate an environment that allows Africa's film and television industries to play a meaningful role in the socio-economic development of the Gauteng region". Global companies expected to exhibit at the 3-day event include BBC Worldwide, CCTV, Caracol, Canal+ Overseas, Cote Ouest, Zee TV, Fox International Channels, Sony Pictures Television, NBC Universal, France 24, Globo TV, IMC, IMG, MGM Networks, Mondo TV, Nollywood Worldwide Entertainment, Optima Sports, Telemundo, Televisa, Thema, Trend TV, Fox Studios, Sky News, TV Azteca, TV5 Monde, UFA TV, Venevision, Endemol South-Africa and many others. Info on DISCOP Africa can be sourced at www.discopafrica.com

MOVIERUN By Shaibu Husseini

Nollywood in focus at Abuja Filmfest

Founder and Festival Director of the annual Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) Fidelis Duker has announced the festival’s secretariat preparedness to host the 9^th edition of the festival scheduled for the Silverbird Galleria in Abuja as from September 25 to 28. Duker, one time President of the Director’s Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and Chief Executive Officer of FAD productions who has single-handedly staged what is easily the premiere independently run film festival in Nigeria, from inception ‘without any institutional support either from government or the private sector’ disclosed that the team at AIFF is prepared to host the world for three days in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. He Spoke to Shaibu Husseini

We are good to go

We are very much ready for the 9th edition of the festival. Its instructive to mention that our preparedness is very simplistic as we don't bite more than we can chew. This has been the focal point of our preparation. So in short I can confirm we are prepared to host the world even with our challenge. It must be said that every year of AIFF comes with a new flavour. This year we are celebrating. Nollywood at 20 and the phenomenon which has received knocks, and condemnation from different quarters needs to be celebrated and part of the plan is a Retrospective Segment where films like Living in Bondage, Ti Oluwa Nile, Unforgiven Sin, Rattle Snake, Silent Night, Circle of Doom will be screened. Also we have introduced an industry focus segment and this year KANNYWOOD, producers of Hausa films are our focus during the festival. These are a few of the new elements to expect this year.

We shall also ‘talk’ Nollywood

Another introduction at the festival this year is a mini Nollywood summit, which we intend to institute as a biennial event to address issues in the motion picture industry in Nigeria. I think we need to keep talking about how to get things working here and as we do so we need to celebrate this global phenomenon which I call the new wave of Nigerian cinema and which interestingly has grown beyond the initiators. It is important we keep history for the children of this generation and generations yet unborn. A child born in 1992 may have not seen Living in Bondage, so there is need to flashback and holistically look at the present and future. The essence is to remember all those who have contributed to this exportable brand.

AIFF has not received a dime from FCT administration

As a film festival we have never had institutional support but we are optimistic that the promise made last year by the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide will be fulfilled. The Minister was special guest at our festival last year and she promised that the FCT administration was going to partner us in ensuring that it becomes a major film and tourism event. At the moment we have not received a dime but we are confident some form of support will be extended. I must say that we have funded the film festival in 8 years from personal funds and we seem used to it but it is not the best. As we approach our 10th edition next year we are hoping that apart from government, corporate Nigeria must also support the festival as its done in other climes so the festival can grow as big as the Cannes, Sundance, Vernice amongst others. So in summary I will give d FCT a benefit of doubt because I know that Oloye Akinjide is passionate about film and the film festival.

Don’t be deceived by the names of supporters on our event brochure

 I repeat with emphasis that there is no form of institutional support from any government agencies. What we have done for Abuja in 9 years, I don't think any public relations company has done. We have placed the FCT and Nigeria on the global landscape of film. As I speak to you AIFF remains one of the most prestigious festival from Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa and interestingly the longest running and most consistent. The minister who I repeat has the interest of the film festival at heart had promised last year that the AIFF will be one of the projects of d FCT ministry and it will be given all forms of support but sadly two weeks to the event we haven't seen any but we are still optimistic. Festivals elsewhere succeed because of institutional funding but sadly we do not have such till now. What we would have expected is to have us in the FCT budget because if properly supported Abuja film festival becomes a cultural export and you can imagine how much revenue that can accrue to the FCT. Apart from the FCT, what about government agencies in the ministry of information, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) , the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and others. Apart from the censors board and NBC who have tried to lend one form of support or the other annually to us none of these other agencies have supported us, even the NFC. The NFC as constituted to say the least is bent on destroying the motion picture industry and I make bold to say it. I even have a feeling because of the Zuma film festival which they organize and which I do not even see as a competitor, the NFC are out to kill all other film festivals as its only a few film festivals like AIFF still surviving and it is rather unfortunate. The present management whose function is developmental has unfortunately not been performing their statutory function, which is sad. Nollywood today is at its lowest ebb, so can't NFC commission some low budget high quality films to revamp the sector rather than waste millions of tax payers money in attending film festivals abroad with empty stand, no films to show, not even in the market or short film corner. I don't want to deviate but if I am the head of the NFC, I will change the landscape of film in Nigeria.

Nollywood came as a result of the success of Living in Bondage

I have heard the argument of Nollywood being more than 20 years but I make bold to say that the phenomenon we all call Nollywood was at the instance of Living in Bondage (LIB). I know that there were films that were made before LIB but it was LIB that brought global attention to Nigeria. It was LIB that brought out the creative and enterpreneural spirit of several young men and women who all contributed in creating what is now called an industry. It was after LIB that some of the professionals realized that it was possible to make films on lesser formats and so they joined in. So LIB was the deciding moment for Nollywood. But we must commend the Yoruba film practitioners for sustaining and keeping the industry till the coming of LIB’.

I am in all this to contribute my quota

I don’t make money from organizing AIFF and I have never made money. I am in it because of my determination to contribute my own little quota to the development of an industry that made me and had provided the platform for me to be where I am today. I must say we had a 10year road map at the inception of the festival in 2003. The idea was to start small and grow the festival to an international brand, which is our focus and we are not yet there but like they say a journey of a thousand mile starts with one step and we are still moving with a determined focus to succeed. We are encouraged by the support we have received so far from the media, practitioners and festival enthusiast to keep keeping on even though we would not forget that we run a television and movie production business. We have been on TV consistently for 10 years in over 17 terrestrial and TV stations producing programmes like Eldorado and Girls Next Door.  Next year will make it 20years since I made my first film Ese Atijo so it has gotten to a point in my career where I must start encouraging and building a new set of filmmakers But that is not say I won't go behind the camera again because my last film was Senseless which I directed 5 years ago but I have funded 3 other films since then. 

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

From audio-visual professionals, more attention for archiving and preservation

Calls for more attention by government of all levels for audiovisual archiving and preservation, including adequate funding, has been canvassed by audiovisual professionals in Nigeria. Rising from a one-day National Conference on Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria, held recently at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, participants discussed extensively issues militating against the establishment, funding and promotion of Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria and resolved that, indeed all hands should be on deck, along with appropriate legislations and funding, for the operations of Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria to thrive, in line with global practices. The Conference, organized by the National Film Video and Sound Archive, (NFVSA), established by the Nigerian Film Corporation, was intended to among others, create awareness on the need to preserve Nigeria’s audiovisual heritage, build the capacity of audiovisual archivists, conservationists and curators. Formation of Professional Associations for Archiving and Preservation formed part of the objectives of the one-day conference with the theme: ‘’ Audiovisual Archiving in Nigeria – the Challenges and Prospects’’. A Communiqué capturing the issues germane to Audiovisual Archiving and Preservation was issued at the end of the Conference. The professionals resolved among other resolutions that: government should as a matter of urgency give speedy approval to the National Policy on Preservation and Conservation; that government should make the National Film Video and Sound Archive a legal depository for all audio-visual materials produced in Nigeria, about Nigeria and on Nigeria; that the National Film Video and Sound Archive should be a National Center for the preservation of all audio-visual materials in Nigeria; that Audio Visual Archives and Libraries in Nigeria should have written Operational manual (Policy) to guide its programmes and activities and that all establishments that employ Audio-Visual Archivists in Nigeria should as a matter of urgency ensure that the archivists receive specialized training both within and outside Nigeria to equip them with the required knowledge and skills in film preservation, restoration, documentation and use. Also the professionals urged government to improve funding of Audio Visual Archiving in Nigeria and that Government and the private sector should invest in audio-visual infrastructure in Nigeria. Similarly they called on government at all levels to establish Audio Visual Archives to ensure effective national coverage. The Audio Visual professionals canvassed the need for audio visual Archivists in Nigeria to form a National Network of Audio-Visual Archivists to enhance interrelationships and resource sharing. They also stressed the need for a national Survey of Audio Visual holdings to be carried out by the Audio Visual Archivists to establish the materials available nationwide and their state.  The survey they say, should cover not only public film archives but also privately owned film archives. Similarly they urged Audio Visual Archivists to at regular intervals organize enlightenment and advocacy programmes aimed at sensitizing policy makers and the general public on the importance of Audio-Visual Archiving. The communiqué, according to the Head, National Film Video and Sound Archive (NFVSA) Mrs. Chinwe Oliwe, sums up the renewed commitment of audiovisual professionals in Nigeria to address all issues inhibiting the effective policy takeoff of audiovisual archiving, assuring that Nigeria’s audiovisual heritage  (music, film, etc) will not be lost.

MOVIETAINMENT magazine set to stage Achievement award

As part of its objectives of adding value to the industry, the publishers of Movietainment are set to stage the maiden edition of the Movietainment Achievement & Corporate Awards dubbed MACA 2012. MACA will hold on Saturday August 11, 2012 at the Lagos Airport Hotels, Ikeja. The award according to the organisers will cover three major areas--the corporate industry that has added one or two values to the growth of the industry,, individuals as well as the industry gurus. MACA according to the organizers is not just about presentation of awards, but an avenue to interact, and network. And in the light of the interactive session of the award, two key personalities Senator Olorunninmbe Mamora and Barrister Tunji Bamisigbin to do justice to some topics which deal with the challenges facing the industry. Both Mamora and Bamishigbin will examine “The Role of Entertainment in Political Development of Nigeria” and “Piracy and the Film Industry; The Way Forward.” The Movietainment Magazine Ventures (tmm) was registered on 15th December 2005. The first edition was launched 1st July 2006, and it started full operations in March 2007 and since then, it has become an established brand amongst other specialized magazine. The Magazine has also established itself as a brand and has carved a niche for itself in the Nigerian has Entertainment Industry with its 60% focus on the movie sector. 
The magazine has established a strong bond and relationship with some Governmental Agencies both in the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communication. Such agencies includes Centre for Blacks & African Arts & Civilization (CBAAC), Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria (NT/NTN) and the guilds and associations in the entertainment sector which includes Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), and

Winners for Durban Film Festival announced

The 33rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival, with principal funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, has announced its award-winners, for the 33^rd edition, which closed on Saturday July 28 in Durban, South Africa. Winner of the Best Feature Film award, Love (Amour) was applauded by the International Jury as “unmissable”, and the film’s director Michael Haneke, as a “contemporary master with an astute understanding of his cinematic world”. The Best Feature Film award carries a cash prize of R50 000.The international Jury which comprised Zimbabwean filmmaker and novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, hot South African director Oliver Hermanus, producer and television presenter Kgomotso Matsunyane, and Canadian producer, director Peter Wintonick also awarded the Best First Feature Film prize ( R20 000) to Australian Julia Leigh for Sleeping Beauty (Australia). Receiving a cash prize of R30 000, the Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Adventures in Zambezia (South Africa), directed by Wayne Thornley. Of the large number of South African films screened this year, the jury’s unanimous voice lauded this film as one with “strong writing and direction, and beautiful animation infused with the spirit of the continent…” and one that “tells an African story from an African perspective while having clear global appeal”. The Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award, with a prize of € 2,500, went to Malika Zouhali-Worral and Katherine Fairfax Wright’s film Call Me Kuchu which focuses on attacks on gay people in Uganda. The other awards include

Best Director: Benh Zeitlin for Beasts Of The Southern Wild (USA); Best Actress: Deanie Ip in A Simple Life (Tao Jie) (Hong Kong SAR China)

Best Actor: Joseph Wairimu in Nairobi Half Life (Kenya, Germany); Best Cinematography: Gökhan Tiryaki for Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da) (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey); Best Screenplay: Ercan Kesal, Ercan Ceylan and Nuri Bilge Ceylan for Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da) (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey); Special Jury Mention Feature Film: Goodbye (Be Omid E Didar) (Iran), directed by Mohammad Rasoulof; Best Documentary: 5 Broken Cameras (Palestinian Territories, France, Israel, The Netherlands), directed by Guy Davidi; Best South African Documentary: The African Cypher (South Africa), directed by Bryan Little; Documentary Special Jury Mention: Calvet (Costa Rica, France, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, United States), directed by Dominic Allan and Best Short Film: The Bird Spider (La Migala) (Spain), directed by Jaime Dezcallar The 33rd Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre For Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) with support by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, HIVOS, City of Durban, German Embassy in South Africa, Goethe Institut of South Africa, French Season in South Africa, and a range of other valued partners. 

Fintel Brings Famous Celebrity Salon To Nigeria

Fintel Universal Services Limited of Nigeria in partnership with (JK-INC, Ireland) having secured the Franchise of the famous Celebrity reality TV show titled, Celebrity Salon from Straywave is bringing the show to Nigeria and the whole of Africa in 2012. The Celebrity Salon is a 12 part reality TV series that will challenge 6-8 top Nigerian celebrities cut across various industries (Nollywood, music, comedy, fashion and modeling, sports and broadcasting) to enter a "beauty boot camp" to learn many of the skills needed to become a top beauty therapist. The show will see celebrities on the road touring the best salons across the country where they will be mentored and trained in a new skill in every episode as they compete to impress their mentor and beauty guru and a series of expert judges.  Skills varying from facial treatment, nail and hair treatment, skin, massage techniques and photo shoot will be the main focus. The show comes with a top foreign celebrity presenter, foreign and local directors, producers and crew to support the Nigerian cast and crew to produce a world class Celebrity Salon Nigeria. The Celebrity Salon Nigeria will be aired in major TV stations across the country, cable TV channels and previewed in the foreign media for the global audience. The celebrities would be paid appearance fees aside from prizes to be won based on their performances in various tasks given by the brands that would be represented. The celebrities will travel, live and learn together over an intensive 2-4 week period. The Celebrity Salon Nigeria for this first season would be pre recorded and not a live show and it is billed to be aired between the third and last quarter of 2012. The choice of celebrities will be based on the strength of the fan base of the celebrities in comparison to their contemporaries, the type of corporate brand they are able to attract and secure for the show, their availability for the total duration of the production among other requirements. It is expected that at the end of the show, the celebrities would have acquired unique beauty skills, increased their fan base, go away with a lot of gifts and remuneration, command global respect and recognition, secured brand deals with major multinationals, etc. FUSL is a company duly incorporated in Nigeria and carries on business as movie producers, distributors and marketers of home video and movies and also helps independent producers secure distribution rights across Africa

It’s ‘Invitation to Thunder’ for Superstory’s series

Ace Nigerian production house, Wale Adenuga Productions presents a Superstory classic titled: Invitation To Thunder. ‘Invitation to thunder’ is the popular Superstory title that portrayed the life of a wealthy businesswoman Susan, whose spirit was crushed when she suspected that her younger lover Henry was having an affair with one of the top attendants in her supermarket. She devised a plan to get rid of Sonia but something went horribly wrong. Written by Lamson Yesuf, Invitation to thunder reflects the extremities of jealousy, envy and vengeance. According to Wale Adenuga Jnr, “Invitation to thunder is being transmitted due to popular demand by fans. Superstory remains a mirror to reflect and correct the ills of the society” Invitation to Thunder, features stars such as Chinyere Winifred, Jibola Oredola, Perez Egbi and others. Wale Adenuga Productions Ltd has several award-wining programmes including Papa Ajasco and Company,  Thislife and Nnena & Friends.

Premiered: Last Flight to Abuja

All roads led to Genesis deluxe Cinema at the Palms in Lekki on Friday for the all glam premiere of Obi Emelonye’s latest feature Last Flight to Abuja. The movie got many people talking, tweeting and texting prior to this premiere that attracted a large crowd of mostly top industry players and captains of industry.  Based on what the promoters said was a true life story, the richly cast movie features Amnesty International Ambassador, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Jim Iyke, Hakeem Kae Kazeem, Jide Kosoko, Celine Loader, Uru Eke, Anthony Monjaro, Uche Odoputa, Charles Granville, Franca Brown and others. The project is majorly sponsored by one of the nation’s leading banks, Diamond Bank. Known for supporting business owners, industrialists, SMEs, the bank took the notch higher by throwing its weight behind highly acclaimed movie, Last Flight to Abuja. The bank has over the years established credibility as one bank which delights in making dreamer’s dream come true and lovers of art. One of the stars of the movie, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde spoke on the movie shortly after the premiere:  ‘’I think it’s a life changing movie, I tell the people around me that this movie is going to do nothing but encourage people to take risks, I think it was bold of the filmmaker but it’s also a very risky thing to do, I think we need to get to that point in Nollywood, where we leave our comfort zone and veer into the bigger things, bigger projects and talk about the things that affect our lives.  9/11 has had several movies done about the incident, we shouldn’t have taboo subjects, the more we can talk about these things in a respectable manner, the better for us, which is the only time we can move ahead and the jinx can be broken’’. When asked if the movie was her most challenging so far, the amiable actress opined ‘’ truthfully no, but it’s one of the most challenging movies, it was challenging because of the topic but I would put it on the same level with a movie called, The Prostitute because as at that time, the movie was like a taboo subject and the way it was being handled was very conscious, another movie of such underlining factor was Mortal Inheritance’’. The PR Agency handling the publicity, Bigsam Media said ‘’ those that have seen the movie have predicted that it would to sell more than Mirror Boy and we can say with all sense of modesty that it will double the box office figure. Obi did a good job! ’’. Other sponsors of the movie are; Afromedia, Zinox, TD technology distribution, Mact Securities, Soundcity, Nigezie, Ozone Cinemas, Silverbird Cinemas, Nigeria Info FM, Cool FM, Blue Pictures (distributor of the movie), Africa Magic, Wazobia FM and Bigsam Media.

Hitchcooks’s Vertigo is BFI’S greatest film of all times

MD of NFC Afolabi Adesanya and other filmmakers in Cannes, France

Omosexy star of Last Flight to Abuja 

The BFI’s Sight & Sound magazine today announced that the winner of its hugely anticipated and world-renowned Greatest Films of All Time poll is Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, ending the 50-year reign of Orson Welles’ mighty Citizen Kane, winner of the once-a-decade poll since 1962 and now in second place. 846 film experts participated in the poll, placing Yasujiro Ozu’s Tokyo Story 3^rd and Jean Renoir’s La Règle du jeu 4^th. Two new films to make the Top Ten are both silent – Dziga Vertov’s Man With a Movie Camera at no.8, the first documentary to make the Top Ten since 1952, and Carl Theodor Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc in 9^th place. The most recent film in the Top Ten is Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) in 6^th place. The poll is Sight & Sound’s seventh and most ambitious to date; the full results are published in the September issue, on sale from August 4^th which also celebrates the magazine’s 80^th birthday and a new re-launch, with a new look and new digital edition and archive. Visit www.bfi.org.uk/sightsoundpoll2012 for the results in full.