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.