Native Filmworks offers ‘A Place in the Stars’’ to up the stakes

Stories By Shaibu Husseini 

(Credit if you must copy pls.)

A still from the movie A Place in the Stars.

Native Filmworks Limited, one of Nigeria’s pioneer Film & TV Company and Producers of narrative feature, “A Place in the Stars” hosted an Industry Announcement to unveil its first feature film on Wednesday, 20th August 2014 at Freedom Park, Old Prison Ground - Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State. Directed and produced by respected film maker, Steve Gukas, A Place in the Stars is a riveting account of drug trafficking; it focuses on how fake and adulterated medical drugs are being traded for billions of dollars – dangerous men willing to kill to protect this money and a young man with a nagging conscience sworn to get rich or die trying in a very corrupt country. How far is he willing to go? A Place in the Stars features some of the best actors in Nigeria and international; the likes of award winning actor, Segun Arinze who is often identified for playing the role of a villain. Also starring in the movie are, Gideon Eche-Okeke, Dejumo Lewis, Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch, Matilda Obaseki, Julian Mcdowell, Armajit Deu and Amaka Mgbor. At the event, guests were privileged to watch the first official movie trailer with exclusive behind-the-scene snippets into the storyline and recorded video conversations from key crew members such as the Producer/Director, Steve Gukas; the Music Composer, George Kallis and others. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chike Maduegbuna, Seyi Siwoku, Toyin Akinosho, Jahman Anikulapo, Bola Bello, Yinka Edward, Makin Soyinka, Dotun Olakunrin are some of the film and media experts at the event. Other notable guests include; Wale Ojo, Gideon Okeke, Yemi Blaq, Segun Arinze, Audu Maikori, Jeremiah Gyang, Lydia Idakula and many more. A Place in the Stars is scheduled to premiere in – Lagos/Abuja, South Africa, Kenya and in the West – London & New York/Houston Texas.

NFC partners UN agency for Gender Equity and Empowerment of Women

Managing Director NFC Dr. Danjuma Dadu and the UN Entity Rep
 signing the MOU

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN-WOMEN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding mutual understanding, developing joint projects and promoting the advancement of the rights and opportunities of women using the film medium. At the MOU signing ceremony which held at the National Film Institute Jos on Tuesday, August 19, Dr. Danjuma Dadu, NFC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive said that the partnership and collaboration between the UN-Women and its Agency would not have come at a more auspicious time than now considering the plights of woman and children as a result of insurgency in some parts of the country. Dadu described the MOU signing as a historic engagement for the NFC and pledged the full commitment of the Corporation in actualizing the letter and spirit of the MOU.  He said ‘’NFC is also committed to using the film medium as a veritable tool to expose negative anti-development practices against women, promotion of peace, unity, and gender equality’’.  He expressed optimism that projects initiated by the UN-NFC will receive the support and goodwill of all stakeholders including State Governments and the Federal Government. The Country Director of United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Woman Dr. Grace Ongile spoke extensively on the various challenges faced by women in modern day and expressed satisfaction on the ability, capacity and willingness of the two agencies to address issues of the vulnerable woman in Nigeria.  Ongile told her host and other guests that the film medium in Nigeria has grown over the years to become a veritable tool for entertainment, information dissemination and more importantly for opinion building and perception changer. The potentials of the film industry in Nigeria to positively promote several development issues including Gender Equality, Women Rights and Empowerment or sustainable development the UN envoy said, prompted the partnership with NFC, which she described as a critical Federal Government agency responsible for the development of Nigeria’s film industry. The Country Director called for greater support of all stakeholders in achieving the goals of the MOU stressing that the United Nations through the UN-Women is ever determined to address the daunting problems that militate the quest for giving women and children their rightful place in nation building in the African continent, Nigeria and in particular the three pilot states of Adamawa, Plateau and Gombe in Northern Nigeria where civil, religious and political unrests have adversely affected women and children in recent times. ‘’The uniqueness of the MOU is hinged on the synergy that will have high impact value in the struggle for the promotion of the rights and dignity of the Nigerian Woman. It will entrench gender friendly practices in the psyche of stakeholders and the general public using the film medium for the benefit of Women and Girls particularly in areas where sustainable development, security and equal opportunities for girls and women is being challenged’’ she said.  At the MOU signing ceremony were top officials of the UN-Women Country Office Abuja, Special Consultant on Media for the UN-Women, Mrs. Moji Makonjiola, top government functionaries from Plateau State Government led by the Commissioners of Information and her Women Development counterpart Barrister Mrs. Olivia Dazang and Mrs. Sarah Yusuf respectively, Hon. Mrs. Kaneng Gyang-Fulani, Member, Plateau State House of Assembly, leaders and representatives of CBO’s, NGO’s and experts in Women and Gender issues as well as Media Managers.

Exciting line up for Light, Camera, Africa festival 2014.....Afolayan's 'October' 1 as Closing film

The organisers of the annual Life House's Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival have announced the programme for the fourth edition of festival. They maintained that this edition will be its longest-running edition yet, kicking off on Friday, September 26 and ending-with a bang-on Nigeria's Independence Day. The Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival 2014, which spills into the October 1st holiday, has always provided the opportunity for moviegoers to relax and recover some of Nigeria’s histories. With films like Oya, the Rise of the Orisha (2014), promoted

'October '  location shot

 as Africa's first superhero movie named for the Yoruba warrior goddess and The Supreme Price (2014), a documentary on Nigeria's pro-democracy movement, the organisers hope to encourage the large crowd that are usually attracted to the festival to reconsider the past with new eyes. Curated around the theme LEGACY, the Life House Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival has earned the reputation of being Nigeria's only festival dedicated to independent African films. This year alone, the festival boasts of more than 30 movies from over 20 countries. The movies will all be screened at the Federal Palace Hotel, an establishment steeped in a history as old as independent Nigeria itself. Also, this edition stands out for its emphasis on television and the role it has played documenting Nigeria’s journey. This edition has also stayed true to the festival's tradition by the inclusion of free film workshops, hosting a colorful market of African crafts and gift items, live music, and a bevy of thrilling performances. Billed to sign off the festival on a very high note is Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 (2014), which is set at a time when the country was still negotiating what independence from British rule would look like. The organisers believe that reliving pivotal moments in history will help Nigerians chart a better course for the future of the country. The Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival is a not -for-profit project of The Life House.  The 2014 edition is in partnership with African Film Festival Inc (New York), Nadia Denton, Royal African Society (London), British Council, and Federal Palace Hotel & Casino.