Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts

Thursday, October 26, 2023

ORAH is the Opening Film of the 12th Annual Africa International Film Festival in Nigeria


Announcing the Opening Film: ORAH Opens AFRIFF 2023🎥

AFRIFF to open 12th Edition with Lonzo Nzekwe’s Powerful Crime Thriller ORAH  in keeping with the Festival’s Theme on “Indigenous 2.0 Global



October 26, 2023

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has announced its 12th edition, happening from the 5th to the 11th of 2023, in Lagos, Nigeria. In keeping with the festival's tradition, AFRIFF’s Founder and Festival Director, Chioma Ude, has announced the film ORAH as its opening night movie, a bold step to drive home its theme for the 2023 edition of Indigenous 2.0 Global before the participating Nigerian and international movie enthusiasts who will grace the festival’s annual opening gala night.

ORAH is written and directed by acclaimed Nigerian/Canadian filmmaker Lonzo Nzekwe (Anchor Baby). Produced by Nzekwe, Floyd Kane (Diggstown), and Amos Adetuyi (The Boathouse), the film was shot in Canada and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in late 2022. Speaking in anticipation of the Festival,  Chioma Ude said,

“Filmmaking is evolving rapidly in Africa, with Nigeria at the forefront of the renaissance, and this year’s edition is designed to continue to reiterate the opportunities for African films and storytelling to reflect ‘global’ perspectives for the sustained success of more local films globally. We intend to continue to empower our storytellers to explore ideologies and techniques that connect with a larger global audience. ORAH is positioned as the open-night movie to drive this expectation.” 

A character-driven crime thriller, Orah showcases the story of a female taxi driver in Toronto embarking on a revenge tour to avenge the death of her son, who is brutally murdered by a high-profile Nigerian criminal in a drug trafficking operation. Starring Oyin Oladejo as Orah Madukaku (Star Trek: Discovery), additional cast members include Lucky Onyekachi Ejim (Kim’s Convenience) as Bami Hazar; Agape Mngomezulu as Tariq Hazar (The Parker Andersons); Morgan Bedard (Hard Rock Medical) as Eli Pope; Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (Titans) as Lace; Oris Erhuero (We Were Once) as Agent Garuba; O.C. Ukeje (Brotherhood) as Agent Uche Odi; Femi Lawson (Because We Are) as Jimoh Sholola; and Christopher Seivright (Take Note) as Vincent Bailey.

Developed over the course of 11 years, director and screenwriter Lonzo Nzekwe was “very grateful to finally begin shooting with the talented cast and crew assembled and honoured to be able to shoot part of the film in Nigeria, which plays such a key role,” he shared during principal photography. In Nzekwe’s words, I set out to create a tragically gripping and gratifying crime thriller with a gritty look that gives the audience a visceral, authentic experience of the life of our hero and her journey to avenge the death of her son. The exceptional talent of the actors cast in each role truly brings the story to life.

Not only does the script offer a strong and smart female role model in the lead role, but the supporting characters are well-rounded with traits of real, everyday people drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. I hope that ORAH’s themes of justice versus revenge, redemption, freedom, corruption, and family separation will have a lasting impact on its viewers and inspire them in a positive way. As a Nigerian-born Canadian filmmaker, I felt I was uniquely qualified to tell this story of an illegal immigrant who was smuggled into Canada and sold into sex trafficking at age 15 by her uncle.

The film was shot in and around Sudbury, Ontario, in the fall of 2022, with additional principal photography taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, in December 2022. With cinematography for ORAH by Ricardo Diaz (Subjects of Desire), production design by Mark Kowalsky (Frat Pack), costume design by Chantel Bedward (Stupid For You), editing by Marc Roussel (Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities), and music by Felipe Téllez (Tomorrow).

ORAH is produced by Circle Blue Entertainment and Freddie Films in association with IronFlix Inc., with the participation of Telefilm Canada, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), and ONCreates Film Fund. Level Film is the Canadian distributor.

Signed

Latasha Ngwube

Director PR & Media

for AFRIFF 2023

ABOUT AFRIFF

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is an international film showcase in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos. It presents a complete immersion into the world of filmmaking with participation from all over Africa and the Diaspora. Founded in 2010 by Ms Chioma Ude, an ardent film lover and entrepreneur, the festival is positioned to be the biggest annual appointment for African filmmakers in the region, celebrating the best African films and stories.

Our programming is themed around African films, filmmakers and African cinematic impulses making the rounds in the international film circuit in categories such as feature, shorts, student shorts, documentary and animation.


Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Announcing Africa Accelerating 2023 in Toronto: October 10-12

PRESS RELEASE
Announcing Africa Accelerating 2023 in Toronto: October 10-12
Following the success of the 2022 conference, the annual highlight of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business calendar will bring together decision-makers in one of the world’s most dynamic cities

Access Multimedia Content

TORONTO, Canada, January 10, 2023/ -- The three-day conference will address and advance the immense opportunities for rapidly accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment ties.

‘’The 2023 conference in Toronto provides a phenomenal opportunity to welcome African business delegates to Canada’s largest city, while offering an enabling platform for networking, B2B meetings and dealmaking in and around the 3-day program,’’ said Garreth Bloor, President of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

Last year’s 2022 Africa Accelerating conference in Johannesburg, South Africa - sponsored by Ivanhoe Mines Ltd - took place under the theme, Leading from Africa: Toward a new global era enabled through Canada-Africa Collaboration.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among those who addressed the event in October, joined by government heads, African Union leaders, corporate executives and entrepreneurs.


Registration for Africa Accelerating 2023 opens on 16 January 2023. 
The official theme to be announced will encompass raising investment capital, trade opportunities, new business partnerships, infrastructure, and responsible resource development - building on the track record and lessons learnt on the foundation of billons already invested into African markets, through Canada.

Africa Accelerating 2023 will once again include a live interactive virtual participation option. Plenary proceedings will be broadcast to 47 countries, with a reach of an estimated 20 million viewers – showcasing the immense opportunities for all through the acceleration of Canada-Africa trade and investment.

‘’Toronto is a gateway to North American markets and directly connected by air to the African continent,’’ noted Garreth Bloor. ‘’For all joining us in-person, our host city provides vital linkages to project partners and investors, driving the two-way trade and investment for deal-making that is at the core of our action-driven agenda for Africa Accelerating 2023.’’

The event will be hosted at the McKinsey & Company Toronto office located at 110 Charles Street West, Toronto, Canada. Interested participants seeking to join us in Toronto, including Chamber members, partners and prospective sponsors may email president@canadaafrica.ca

View 2023 Partnership Options (https://bit.ly/3CAS29U):

View Africa Accelerating 2022 (https://bit.ly/3fyXgKN) which welcomed a range of leading voices over three days, hundreds in-person and thousands of registered online attendees.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

SOURCE
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

PRESS RELEASE
Announcing Africa Accelerating 2023 in Toronto: October 10-12
Following the success of the 2022 conference, the annual highlight of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business calendar will bring together decision-makers in one of the world’s most dynamic cities

Access Multimedia Content

TORONTO, Canada, January 10, 2023/ -- The three-day conference will address and advance the immense opportunities for rapidly accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment ties.

‘’The 2023 conference in Toronto provides a phenomenal opportunity to welcome African business delegates to Canada’s largest city, while offering an enabling platform for networking, B2B meetings and dealmaking in and around the 3-day program,’’ said Garreth Bloor, President of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

Last year’s 2022 Africa Accelerating conference in Johannesburg, South Africa - sponsored by Ivanhoe Mines Ltd - took place under the theme, Leading from Africa: Toward a new global era enabled through Canada-Africa Collaboration.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Request for New Movies and Series for Global Acquisition and Distribution

Here's a list of open Buyer Briefs, you may respond with relevant titles.

English Un-scripted

Genres: Adventure, Travel, Science & Technology, Lifestyle, Sports, Education or Documentary

License Regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria and 22 others

Expires: 25th Aug 2022

Gospel Content

Genres: Family
License Regions: United States
Expires: 26th Aug 2022

Family Entertainment TV Series for US Territory. FTA/Broadcast. 4k format.

Genres: Family
License Regions: United States

Expires: 10th Sep 2022

Send buyers directly to your screeners via a Unique Link to your very own Screening Room!
Christmas TV Movies

Genres: Family, Romance or Comedy

License Regions: Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States

Expires: 27th Aug 2022

Seeking Full Length Features and TV Series For A New TVOD Platform

Genres: Drama, Thriller / Suspense, Romance, Horror, Action, Comedy, Faith and Spirituality or Family

License Regions: Canada and United States

Expires: 30th Sep 2022

Korean language TV Series & Films for well established AVOD channel in India

Genres: Action, Thriller / Suspense, Romance, Comedy, Drama, Adventure, Family, Crime or Fantasy

License Regions: India

Expires: 31st Aug 2022

Leading UAE-based distributor acquires inflight entertainment rights to content from Turkey and Nigeria
French OR Spanish language TV Series & Films for well established AVOD channel in India

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Adventure, Action, Romance, Family, Thriller / Suspense, Crime or Fantasy

License Regions: India

Expires: 31st Aug 2022

Turkish, Hebrew OR English language TV Series & Films for well established AVOD channel in India

Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy, Action, Thriller / Suspense, Adventure, Fantasy, Crime or Family

License Regions: India

Expires: 31st Aug 2022

 

Friday, September 10, 2021

VIFF Announces 40th Edition Festival Lineup

The poster of the Opening Film 

VIFF40Years_logo_Bl
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

VIFF ANNOUNCES 40TH EDITION FESTIVAL LINEUP,
A RETURN TO IN-CINEMA PRESENTATIONS
AND EXPANDED VIFF CONNECT ACCESS

 

40th Vancouver International Film Festival

October 1 – 11, 2021

 
VANCOUVER, BC (SEPTEMBER 8, 2021) Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) celebrates its 40th edition with a vibrant festival program that includes more than 110 feature films, 77 shorts, and 20 events. All films will be presented in-cinema, in strict compliance with provincial COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and select titles will be available for streaming across the province and Canada-wide on the festival’s online streaming platform, VIFF Connect. 

VIFF’s 2021 lineup showcases a kaleidoscopic collection of revelatory work, from provocative documentaries to elevated genre films. VIFF Talks take viewers behind the camera, and Totally Indie Day, VIFF AMP, and VIFF Immersed conferences support the local creative communities. VIFF’s 40th edition will officially open with an in-cinema screening of the inventive biopic The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, from U.K. director Will Sharpe, starring Benedict Cumberbatch who gives a bravura performance as the Victorian illustrator who found lasting fame with his knack for drawing cute cats. The festival will mark its closing with an in-cinema screening of Petite Maman, the latest from French director Céline Sciamma. A simple, subtle fairy tale about the mysterious bond between mother and daughter, the poetic film is realized with supreme delicacy and tact. 

"Perhaps more than any other art form, film has helped us through these past 18 months," says Kyle Fostner, Executive Director. "Isolated in our homes, we turned to movies for a connection to a larger world, full of perspectives, ideas, and culture. Our milestone 40th edition will be a celebration of cinema that shares the singular joy of experiencing incredible storytelling safely together, basking in the warm glow of the big screen. At the same time, we’ll continue to offer the opportunity and accessibility gained with last year’s model — with 85 per cent of our festival's vast and varied offerings available online via VIFF Connect. And for the first time, a large selection of films will also be available online across Canada."

VIFF Board Chair Lucille Pacey adds: "VIFF has always been a festival rooted in community and cinematic excellence. We mark this special edition by reconnecting with those who have supported us through the past four decades and with those who are only just discovering all that VIFF has to offer. VIFF's remarkable team has programmed an extraordinary lineup that highlights the voices of today and looks to the future of filmmaking."

“For our 40th edition, our programmers have curated a diverse selection of international cinema that includes work from dozens of countries and countless communities here in Canada,” says Curtis Woloschuk, Associate Director of Programming. “It’s a lineup that truly offers a plurality of perspectives. Many of this year’s selections are born of this era, as they share stories of reconnections with family and community, and employ structures that bend time. There are powerful narratives from Indigenous filmmakers, poignant stories from female perspectives, and bold work that confronts critical issues such as colonialism, racism, and the climate crisis. Likewise, there are films that testify to the transportative power of creativity and remind us that, even when it’s darkest, we can dream.”

Tickets are now on sale at viff.org. Single tickets are $15 for in-cinema presentations, $17 for in-cinema Special Presentations, and $10 for VIFF Connect. All-access VIFF Connect passes are $80, and will provide access to a selection of film titles and VIFF Talks streamed online. The Limited Edition Festival Pass is $725, and will provide access to all in-cinema and online screenings. While a selection of the film programming via VIFF Connect will remain geo-blocked to the province, a vast majority of films will be available across Canada. VIFF Talks, VIFF AMP, Totally Indie Day, and VIFF Immersed will be livestreamed Canada-wide and internationally, providing an unprecedented level of access to filmmakers and fans around the globe. 

 
Tickets and Information
 
VIFF Connect Single Tickets for Films and Talks: $10
VIFF Connect Festival Pass: $80 Regular / $110 Household
VIFF In-Cinema Single Tickets for Films and Talks: $15
VIFF In-Cinema Special Presentations: $17
VIFF Limited Edition Festival Pass: $725
40th Anniversary 4-Ticket Pack: $48 Regular / $32 Student / $44 Senior
VIFF AMP Pass In-person: $75 Regular / $25 Student
VIFF AMP Pass Online: $25 Regular / $15 Student
Totally Indie Day In-person: $45 Regular / $25 Student
Totally Indie Day Online: $25 Regular / $15 Student
VIFF Immersed: Free
 
Single tickets and passes available at viff.org.
 
To explore VIFF’s complete 2021 programming, visit viff.org.
 
VIFF’s health and safety protocols — in strict compliance with provincial health orders — can be viewed HERE.

With the generous support of these partners:

 

PressRelease_LogoStrip_18Aug

 

Founded in 1982, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural society and federally registered charitable organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the year-round programming at the VIFF Centre. VIFF produces screenings, talks, conferences, and events that act as a catalyst for the community to discover the creativity and craft of storytelling on screen. For its 40th edition, VIFF takes place both online and in-cinema, from Oct. 1–11, 2021, showcasing the top international, Canadian, and BC films along with creators and industry professionals from around the globe.

VIFF is presented on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil‑Waututh) Nations.

Media inquiries:
press@viff.org
Laura Murray | 
lmurray@mpmgarts.com | 604.418.2998
Ines Min | imin@mpmgarts.com | 604.440.0791
 

MPMG_logo-wordmark_blackblue_sm





Saturday, July 31, 2021

46th Toronto International Film Festival Official Selection and Special Presentations


Dates: Thursday, 9 Sep 2021 – Saturday, 18 Sep 2021

Location: Toronto, TIFF Bell Lightbox 


The 46th annual Toronto International Film Festival begins on September 9 to 18, 2021. And following the strict protocol for the control and prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, it will be a "hybrid" of physical and digital screenings of both the official selection and special presentations and for other programmes.

The opening film is "Dear Evan Hansen" by Stephen Chbosky, an  adaptation of the Tony-winning musical of the same title.

“This film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness, and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another. We couldn’t think of a more important idea to celebrate this year as we come together once again to share the power and joy of cinema in theaters together," said Cameron Bailey, the Artistic Director and Co-Head of TIFF.

The closing film is "One Second" by Zhang Yimou.

CONTEMPORARY WORLD CINEMA

Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Wen Shipei)

The Box (La Caja) (Lorenzo Vigas)

Costa Brava, Lebanon (Costa Brava) (Mounia Akl)

The Daughter (La Hija) (Manuel Martín Cuenca)

The Hill Where the Lionesses Roar (Luaneshat e kodrës) (Luàna Bajrami)

Întregalde (Radu Muntean)

Kicking Blood (Blaine Thurier)

La Soga 2 (Manny Perez)

Maria Chapdelaine (Sébastien Pilote)

Medusa (Anita Rocha da Silveira)

Murina (Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović)

Nobody Has to Know (Bouli Lanners)

The Odd-Job Men (Sis dies corrents) (Neus Ballús)

The Other Tom (El otro Tom) (Rodrigo Plá)

OUT OF SYNC (Tres) (Juanjo Giménez)

Terrorizers (Ho Wi Ding)

Unclenching The Fists (Kira Kovalenko)

Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas) (Edwin)

The Wheel (Steve Pink)

Whether the Weather is Fine (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon) (Carlo Francisco Manatad)

DISCOVERY

Aloners (Hong Sung-eun)

Anatolian Leopard (Anadolu Leoparı) (Emre Kayış)

A Banquet (Ruth Paxton)

Dug Dug (Ritwik Pareek)

As In Heaven (Du som er i himlen) (Tea Lindeburg)

Farha (Darin J. Sallam)

The Game (Ana Lazarevic)

Learn To Swim (Thyrone Tommy)

Lo Invisible (Javier Andrade)

Paka (River of Blood) (Nithin Lukose)

Quickening (Haya Waseem)

Scarborough (Shasha Nakhai, Rich Williamson)

Snakehead (Evan Jackson Leong)

To Kill The Beast (Agustina San Martín)

Tug of War (Vuta N’Kuvute) (Amil Shivj)i

Wildhood (Bretten Hannam)

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Ali & Ava (Clio Barnard)

 All My Puny Sorrows (Michael McGowan)

Benediction (Terence Davies)

Bergman Island (Mia Hansen-Løve)

Charlotte (Eric Warin, Tahir Rana)

Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over (Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner)

Drive My Car (Ryusuke Hamaguchi)

Encounter (Michael Pearce)

 The Guilty (Antoine Fuqua)

I’m Your Man (Maria Schrader)

Inexorable (Fabrice du Welz)

Lakewood (Phillip Noyce)

 The Middle Man (Bent Hamer)

Official Competition (Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat)

Paris, 13th District (Jacques Audiard)

Petite Maman (Céline Sciamma)

The Starling (Theodore Melfi)

The Story of My Wife (Ildikó Enyedi)

Three Stories (Nanni Moretti)

Violet (Justine Bateman)

The Worst Person in the World (Joachim Trier)

GALA PRESENTATIONS

Opening Night Film: Dear Evan Hansen (Stephen Chbosky)

Closing Night Film: One Second (Zhang Yimou)

Belfast (Kenneth Branagh)

Clifford the Big Red Dog (Walt Becker)

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (Will Sharpe)

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Michael Showalter)

Jagged (Alison Klayman)

Last Night in Soho (Edgar Wright)

The Mad Women’s Ball (Mélanie Laurent)

Night Raiders (Danis Goulet)

The Survivor (Barry Levinson)


Monday, June 20, 2011

Canada Condemns Terrorist Bombing in Nigeria

20 Jun 2011 16:50 Africa/Lagos

Canada Condemns Terrorist Bombing in Nigeria

OTTAWA, June 20, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- John Baird, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, today issued the following statement regarding the terrorist bombings in Nigeria yesterday:

“Canada strongly condemns the terrorist bombings in Nigeria on June 16.

“The bombing of the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja was a cowardly and despicable act. It is a direct attack on the right of the people of Nigeria to live in safety and peace.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

“Canadians stand together with the Nigerian people in deploring this act of terrorism. We will continue to assist the people and government of Nigeria as they strive to improve security and consolidate the gains it has made in democracy and the rule of law.”

The blast was heard at the High Commission for Canada, but all staff there are safe and unharmed. All registered Canadian citizens in Abuja are accounted for.


Source: Canada - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

20 Jun 2011