Showing posts with label Chioma Ude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chioma Ude. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Lagos State Government To Build A Film City in Epe

What is a Film City? 

Film City means an integrated studio complex spread over a minimum of ten acres area that provides the physical facilities required for film making, including providing the flexibility to use the outdoor spaces for shooting purposes. It may be used as a popular tourist spot, recreation centre featuring many natural & artificial attractions including gardens, landscapes, amusement parks, statues, miniatures, streets, hotels, restaurants, Art Gallery, Museum, Hospital and shopping destinations. It may also include the development of peripheral infrastructure such as hotels, food & beverage establishments and retail areas including merchandise stalls to diversify the revenue composition;(xxxviii) “Food Processing Sector” means a sector comprising enterprises engaged in such manufacturing processes in which raw product of agriculture, animal husbandry or fisheries is transformed to make it edible for human consumption;(xxxix) “Gems & Jewellery Sector” means a sector comprising enterprises engaged in manufacturing of handmade or machine-made jewellery or other articles of gold, silver and other precious or base metal clad with precious metals or precious or semi-precious stones, or combinations of precious metal and precious or semi- precious stones or other materials;(xl) “Government” means Government of Rajasthan (xli) “Green Building Measures” means process or technology adopted to obtain green rating under Indian Green Building Council;(xlii) “Half-Way-Home” means the establishment registered with any Government Department for the purpose and having facilities of temporary stay for patients who have been discharged from a hospital but frequent consultancy of doctor is required for providing the patients with a safe shelter and rehabilitation;(xliii) “Handicraft Sector” means a sector comprising enterprises engaged in such manufacturing of items or products in which products are produced predominantly by hand with or without mechanical or electrical or other assistance and graced with visual appeal in the nature of ornamentation or in-lay work or some similar work lending it an element of artistic improvement. Such ornamentation must be of a substantial nature and not a mere pretence;(xliv) “Hilly Area” means an area which is notified as such by the State Government in the Finance Department by an order;(xlv) “Industrial Gases Sector” means a sector comprising enterprises engaged in manufacturing of gases for use in industries, excluding poisonous"

 https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/film-city#:~:text=City%C2%A0means,industries%2C%20excluding%20poisonous

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated that the Lagos State government will build a large scale Africam film city of 100 hectares in Epe at the cost of US$100 million. He told the guests and the news media as he hosted the programme announcement for the 12th annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Lagos State House on the Marina. 

Ms. Chioma Ude, the Founder and Executive Director of AFRIFF commended the laudable visionary leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu in the capacity development of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry. 

Lagos is the capital of Nollywood and the entertainment industry in Nigeria, the biggest contributor to making Nollywood the largest film industry in Africa and among the fastest growing film industries in the world.

A report from PwC projects that the fast-growing industry will generate $14.8 billion revenue in 2025. The industry revenue is expected to rise from $7.7 billion in 2021 to $9 billion in 2022, $10.7 billion in 2023, $12.6 billion in 2024 and $14.8 billion in 2025. 85% of this revenue will be generated by access to the Internet.

According to PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook (2020-2024), Nigeria’s media and entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing creative industries in the world. It has the capability to become the country’s greatest export, with projected annual growth rate of 8.6% and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.3% from 2018-2023.

The Multixept Associates Limited is already building a film city in Epe.

US$100 Million Cannot Build a Film City

US$100 Million is a good investment to kickstart the building of a film city in Lagos by the Lagos State government. But that amount cannot even build a film village.
Lagos State government can start with a feasibility study and a budget of $5 Billion.

The best case study is Hollywood. And another good example is the Mumbai Film City; officially Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, an integrated film studio complex situated near Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Goregaon East, Mumbai. It has several recording rooms, gardens, lakes, theatres and grounds that serve as the venue of many Bollywood and Marathi films. It was built in 1977 by the state government to provide facilities and concessions to the film industry. 

Lagos State government can call the film city in Epe, EKO FILM CITY.

A film city must have a state of the art high tech film studios, world class hotels and cinemas.
One single world class hotel will cost more than S100 million.
The construction of the main access road will cost more than US$100 million for a 21st century film city.
It must be a smart city with IoT.

Private partnership investors will be required by the Lagos State government.
it is best to have a stakeholders forum with local and international investors in the multibillion dollar Nigerian Entertainment Industry, including banks, insurance companies, construction companies and realtors.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

#Lagos
#Lagosfilmcity
#Nollywood
#filmcity
#studios
#hotel
#filmvillage
#hotels
#investors



Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Nollywood and the Nigerian Film Industry

Who are the top 10 most powerful women in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry?

Do you know them?

The movers and shakers and the leading achievers in film production, distribution and exhibition.

They were twelve; two of them have passed on to eternal glory, but the milestones of their legacies have become testimonies of their outstanding achievements in the history of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.
I have already written on Mrs. Amaka Igwe, MFR that was  published in the Black Film Maker magazine in the UK in 2006. 
She was the numero uno of the women in Nollywood.
On 2 January 2020, Google celebrated her 57th birthday with a Google Doodle.
Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, MFR has been celebrated locally and internationally and her Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) was the cover feature of the first edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series in 2013 which has become a collector's edition by art collectors on Nollywood and the history of filmmaking in Nigeria. Madam Peace was the only filmmaker in Nollywood to become a TED Fellow.
(Please, if you know another one, let me know).
Both of them are profiled among the 40 Nigerian female filmmakers in the third edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series to be released this year.

The top 10 Most Powerful Women in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry, who are currently among the most active and accomplished leading achievers and stakeholders will be featured in the third edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series.
One of them will be on the cover.
I will not reveal all the ten, because of those who will quickly copy the title and rush to publish the list and claim the credit for the authorship.

The following are the first top three.

Ms  Mo Abudu
Ms. Chioma Ude
Mrs. Stephanie Linus


- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,


Sunday, October 30, 2022

AFRIFF 2022 To Host The African Premiere of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"

AFRIFF 2022 To Host The African Premiere of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"

The Walt Disney Company in association with Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and FilmOne Entertainment has officially announced that Nigeria will host the official African premiere of Marvel Studios’ "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the AFRIFF 2022.

In a statement by Moses Babatope and Kene Okwuosa, Co-founders of FilmOne Entertainment, official distributors of the movie in English West African territories, said: “Being instrumental to the release of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" in West Africa is a proud achievement and a milestone for us and the entire FilmOne team, it will be celebrated for a long time. We are excited and fully committed to working with The Walt Disney Company to deliver a grand African premiere, even as we channel all our arsenal towards realizing a momentous box-office performance for the title.”

Chioma Ude, the Founder and Executive Director of AFRIFF said: “We are excited and proud to be a part of the premiere of this milestone film here in Africa. This is huge for the continent of Africa as it symbolises to us further bridging the gaps between the global film industries.” 

“We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" to Lagos this November,” said Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager for The Walt Disney Company Africa. “Working closely with our long-term distribution partners FilmOne and this association with AFRIFF, we are anticipating a wonderful celebration with Nigeria’s cinema-goers and Black Panther fans.”

Directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" opens in cinemas from November 11th.

The duration of AFRIFF is from 6-12 November 2022 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Theme: INDIGENOUS FOR GLOBAL

Opening Film: Nanny

Prime Video’s award-winning psychological horror film by Nikyatu Jusu.

“Nanny” stars Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls, Morgan Spector, Rose Decker, and Leslie Uggams. The film follows Aisha (Anna Diop), a woman who recently emigrated from Senegal to West Africa, who is hired to care for the daughter of an affluent couple (Michelle Monaghan and Morgan Spector) living in New York City. Aisha is haunted by the absence of the young son she left behind. Aisha hopes her new job will afford her the chance to bring him to the U.S. but becomes increasingly unsettled by the family’s volatile home life. As his arrival gets closer, a violent presence starts to show up in both her dreams and her real life, putting her American dream, which she is working hard to build, in danger

Closing Film: Almajiri by Toka McBaror

The annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is the most vibrant film festival in Africa and the #1 international attraction and destination for film tourism in West Africa.

AFRIFF attracts over 100, 000 people annually from Nigeria, America and other countries with filmmakers, actors, movie aficionados and stakeholders in the film industry from within Africa, America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Asia since it started in 2010 with all the glitz and razzmatazz of glamour and fanfare.

Oscar Day

5 November 2022
11.00 AM - 7.00 PM

AFRIFF Oscar Day Outline

Oscars Student Academy Awards Forum 
Oscars International Film Awards Forum
Two special seminars on the behind-closed-doors selection and voting process of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS),  presented by long-time Executive Committee member and acclaimed filmmaker Lawrence David Foldes. 
Followed by the Nigerian Premiere of Foldes’ award-winning feature ”Finding Home” with a post-screening Q&A on the making of the film.  Register online a day before the scheduled events or onsite 2 hours prior, to gain access.

See the complete programme on 
https://www.afriff.com/

AFRIFF 2022 is attracting more global attention than the previous editions. Hotels, resorts and rendezvous hangouts in Lagos will benefit from the international guests and visitors.

The members of the international jury for AFRIFF 2022 have been announced and they are all accomplished professionals in the film industry.

AFRIFF 2022 JURY

DANNA STERN

Producer, Global Content Executive.
Stern is a seasoned executive producer working across borders, genres and formats. As the founder of the Israeli-based yes Studios, Stern created a distribution and development content powerhouse, focused on delivering premium content for international platforms. She has been credited with helping bring Israeli content to global audiences and is responsible for the successful launches of numerous titles including “Fauda", "Shtisel", “The Devil Next Door”, “On the Spectrum", "The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem" etc.

LAWRENCE DAVID FOLDES
Award-winning Filmmaker.
 
Critically acclaimed award-winning filmmaker behind several cult hits. He was recognized as the youngest professional filmmaker on record when he produced his first feature, the teen cult classic “Malibu High” at the age of 18.
 
This was followed by the cult underground horror favourite Don’t Go Near the Park (which became one of the infamous banned ‘Video Nasties”) and popular action features like “Young Warriors” starring Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine and “Nightforce”.

FEMI ODUGBEMI
Filmmaker and TV Producer 
 
Femi Odugbemi is a filmmaker and TV Producer. He is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has served as a four-time Head Judge of the prestigious Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA).
 
He has also been a Juror of the Emmy Awards, 3-time Head of Jury of the Uganda Film Festival, a Juror of the Johannesburg International Film Festival South Africa, and recently a Juror/Mentor of the NETFLIX/UNESCO African Folktales Re-imagined project.

KUNLE AFOLAYAN
Award-winning Filmmaker
 
Ace movie Producer/Director, Adekunle Ayodeji Afolayan is one of Nigeria’s foremost “2nd generation filmmakers “and the son of the highly respected Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade-Love), a passionate theatre artist who co-pioneered the movement from travelling theatre to the celluloid film format as introduced by Ola Balogun.
 
Having trained as a Business Administrator, and with a career in Banking, Kunle was cast into Tunde Kelani’s multiple award-winning movies Saworoide, earning him the first accolades and first appeared in the industry. In his commitment to self-improvement and professional excellence.

STEVE GUKAS
Executive Producer
 
Steve is a multi-platform producer/director with experience spanning Television, Radio, Theatre, Advertising and Film. He has a Diploma in TV Production from the NTA Television College in Jos and studied Theatre Arts at the University of Jos from where he graduated with a BA and is an alumnus of the prestigious London Film School.
 
Steve is the producer of award-wining Namibia – The Struggle For Liberation” the film premiered at the 2006 Pan African Film Festival in L.A. His other credits as producer/director include, “Keeping Faith” and “A  Place In The Stars”. He Co-Produced and Directed 93Days a feature film about the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and has been screened at numerous film festivals along with several awards locally and internationally. This was followed by producing the award-winning film "Living In Bondage: Breaking Free", a sequel to the industry-defining film "Living In Bondage".

SYRINTHIA STUDER
Executive Vice President, Acquisitions for Paramount Pictures. 
 
Studer is responsible for acquiring films for theatrical release, as well as for worldwide distribution across multiple platforms. 
 
Among her recent acquisitions are the breakout comedy Book Club starring Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen, and the action-packed caper Overdrive, starring Scott Eastwood.
 
Studer previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing and Acquisitions for Paramount Pictures’ Worldwide Home Media and TV Licensing divisions, where she launched and managed the studio’s efforts focused on ancillary-driven acquisitions, overseeing the negotiation and acquisition of groundbreaking domestic and international films.

WAFA' A HALAWI
Actress, Writer and Filmaker

A Lebanese/French actress, writer and filmmaker. started acting at age 5 and falls in love with theatre, where she finds a home.
In Lebanon, she joins the dance-theatre company Maqamat in 2001 and performs internationally. She also gets cast to act in Khalil Gibran’s play The Blind and various series by Elie Adabachi and Marwan Najjar. 
She also develops the feature fiction script Cello which wins international screenwriting prizes.
Wafa’a just completed filming in the Amazon, where she played the lead role in Brazilian director Marcelo Gomes’ new feature film.

JENNY ALONZO
Creative and Marketing Executive

Jenny is a dynamic, proven leader in content development & production, marketing, multicultural markets, and corporate media strategies/operations.
She has worked on some of the strongest brands including NBC, BET, Turner, IBM, FUSE, AFV, and The Wall Street Journal. 
A member of the executive team that launched Lifetime Television and its groundbreaking positioning of Television for Woman, Alonzo held multiple leadership roles including Senior Vice President of Production & Inventory Strategies, leading a team of 70+ that supported all marketing and creative services efforts for three networks, digital platforms, and multiple franchises. 
In 2021, Alonzo served as the Creative Director for the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos, Nigeria. 

NICKY WEINSTOCK
Founder & President, Invention Studios

Nicky Weinstock is the founder and president of Invention Studios, an independent creative production company developing a wide range of features and television series for both major American and international platforms.
Weinstock began his career in New York City as an editor at Random House and Riverhead Books, and then as the author of a nonfiction book and two novels, before moving to Los Angeles to develop series at 20th Century Fox Television. He went on to run Apatow Productions with writer/director Judd Apatow, where he produced movies including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Step Brothers, Pineapple Express, Get Him to the Greek and Bridesmaids. 

MICHEL ZGARKA
Production & Marketing Executive

Michel Zgarka is an experienced executive with a successful career of over 35 years in the production, communications, marketing, financial engineering and business development fields.
He is highly skilled in strategic and creative planning, marketing and personnel management for the media industry. Mr Zgarka has produced, directed and distributed numerous film and television productions for the international marketplace, including “GUMMYBAR” which garnered over 6 billion views on YouTube.
He has been a guest speaker at over 50 international entertainment industries events as well as the Delegate general of the Montreal Israeli Film Festival whose celebrating its 13th anniversary in 2018.

­ABOUT AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AFRIFF)


The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is a celebration of Cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora. It consistently delivers a rich programme to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships. It creates an energetic and exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation for delivering incredible value. 

The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through several capacity development opportunities.


Thursday, June 23, 2022

LaVida Studios Secures the Biggest International Investment for Nollywood

LaVida Studios Secures the Biggest International Investment for Nollywood

LaVida Studios, one of leading film and TV productions centres in Nollywood has secured a US$50 million three-year collaboration with The Story Lab of the United States of America for 10 films and television projects focused on bringing African stories to the global stage. Focusing on both scripted and unscripted film and TV projects, the alliance will see production serviced exclusively by LaVida Studios for all Africa-based productions out of The Story Lab. This groundbreaking partnership is the biggest international investment so far in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

LaVida Studios cofounded by Chioma Ude and Olugbenga Obadina is based in Lagos,the entertainment capital of Nigeria’s fast developing Nollywood, the largest indie film industry in Africa. LaVida is known for the award winning film, Seven on Netflix, as well as Third Party, Stuck and Eye-Witness for AfricaMagic/Showmax,

PAC Capital Limited has committed an initial $50 million for LaVida’s film and TV projects, including the collaboration with The Story Lab. The funding is being accessed from PAC Capital’s PanAfrican CCI Fund 1, a $100 million fund dedicated to financing film production and distribution in Africa.

LaVida and Dentsu are also planning to team with the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) to create a joint initiative, AFRIFF/Dentsu & TV program which would recruit and support top African writing talent in creating original stories that appeal to a global audience.

Chioma Ude, founder of AFRIFF and managing partner in LaVida Studios, said: “We are thrilled to be working together with Dentsu and its The Story Lab team in the U.S. to bring authentic and compelling African stories to the world.”

The partnership, which is being spearheaded by Geneva Wasserman, executive VP and head of scripted content, The Story Lab U.S., who joined the organization in 2021, is thanks in part to her having already served as a board member for the AFRIFF network.

Wasserman said: “The combination of LaVida’s partnerships with top Nigerian creators and Dentsu’s global network and presence will serve as a bridge between these top content creators and the global market through this collaboration. We are honored to bring these stories to the world.”

Mike Ferry, head of The Story Lab U.S. added, “It is partnerships like this one which really help move the dial when it comes to discovering and elevating emerging talent. I’m so pleased we can be part of amplifying the diverse voices of Africa alongside our friends at LaVida and AFRIFF.”

LaVida Studios and Chioma Ude are represented by CAA and The Story Lab U.S. is represented by UTA.

"Expanding distribution infrastructure and access to African content globally; substituting the apprenticeship model in Nollywood for formal education and mentorship and; co-production with global production studios, are three major initiatives that will definitely take Nollywood to the next level. These are highlights of what the partnership between LaVida Studios and TSL is poised to achieve. It’s exciting times ahead," said Olugbenga Obadina.



Monday, March 21, 2022

INDIGENOUS FOR GLOBAL! #AFRIFF 2022 CALL FOR ENTRIES

INDIGENOUS FOR GLOBAL! #AFRIFF 2022 CALL FOR ENTRIES

LAGOS – Monday, 21st March 2022

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), today announced its Call for Entries for its 11th Edition in November 2022. Speaking at today’s briefing, founder and festival director Ms Chioma Ude said “I am delighted to open our Call for Entries for our 11th anniversary edition, following Amazon’s acquisition of films from AFRIFF’s film catalog last year, we are now strategically positioned to help filmmakers distribute their titles with our landmark partnership with Amazon Prime Video. We also had Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios pick up 2 movies from the festival. This year, we are already in talks with a multitude of streaming platforms interested in licensing and acquiring films from the festival  We are proud to present this year’s programme themed INDIGENOUS FOR GLOBAL, dedicated to the incredible opportunities Amazon Prime video and others offer Nigerian filmmakers going forward, enabling us to dream and continue to innovate and create exciting and vibrant experiences for our Audience”.

Submissions for the 2022 edition of AFRIFF are now officially open and will run till July 30th 2022. General entries will be accepted until July 1st with a late entry deadline set for July 30th, 2022. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit entries early with the regular deadline as late entry submissions will be strictly accepted only via waiver code.

Festival selections include fiction and non-fiction films both domestic and international, features and shorts, impact-driven documentaries and Animation with an emphasis on films that have not been premiered on commercial screens. 

ENTRY DETAILS

Early Deadline: July 1st  |  Final Deadline: July 30  |  

Selection Notification Date: September 26th, 2022

Submission linkhttp://filmfreeway.com/AFRIFF
 

CATEGORY STATUS

Features: Film is 60 minutes or more

Shorts & Episodics: Film is less than 45 minutes.

Documentary: Documentaries can be short form or feature length, however short docs are accepted as Short films for AFRIFF’s programme.

Animation/Anime: Accepted as short form or feature length.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Only those films produced after January 1st of 2021 are eligible for competition.

Films produced before 2021 maybe accepted in the programme if their story speaks to the programme theme or AFRIFF programmers think it suits the programme.

Films of any nationality and language can participate. Non English must be subtitled.

Submissions will only be accepted through AFRIFF’s filmfreeway page. 

There are no limits to the number of entries a filmmaker may enter, but these have to be submitted separately.

AFRIFF does not require premiere status; however it will prioritize premiere status for competition and screenings.

Submit Your Film on https://filmfreeway.com/AFRIFF

­The 11th Africa International Film Festival will be a hybrid experience. Follow us on all social media platform @AFRIFF

Save the date November 6 –12, 2022.

ABOUT AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AFRIFF)

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) conceived by Ms Chioma Ude is a celebration of Cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora. It consistently delivers a rich programme to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships. It creates an energetic and exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation for delivering incredible value. 

The objectives are to develop the local film industry to a level where the products compete favorably with their contemporaries all over the world; providing a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products and facilitate access to investors, equipment, and technical skill acquisition through several capacity development opportunities.

Africa International Film festival - AFRIFF
Ornife Legacy Place, 8 Professor Gabriel Olusanya Street, 105102, Lekki,
Lagos, Nigeria.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Chioma Ude To Speak @ Dubai Expo 2020: Canon Brings Women Trailblazers From The Middle-East and African Film Industry


Cinema – A Social Catalyst: 



Dubai Expo 2020: Canon Brings Chioma Ude and other women trailblazers from the Middle-East and African film Industry to speak on the dynamics of the power of the cinema for sociocultural, socioeconomic and sociopolitical reformation and transformation.

PRESS RELEASE
Advancing gender equality & celebrating women empowerment at Dubai Expo 2020: Canon to bring together women trailblazers from the Middle-East and African film industry in a thought-provoking panel discussion
The panel discussion is envisioned to celebrate the creative efforts of women filmmakers who make an immeasurable contribution to the enrichment of the industry and to discuss how the industry can re-invent itself to reduce gender disparity

Access Multimedia Content

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 11, 2021/ -- In alignment with the company’s relentless commitment to promote gender equality and women empowerment, Canon  (Canon-CNA.com) will bring together an esteemed panel of women entrepreneurs from the film industry in Middle-East and Africa at Women’s Pavilion, Dubai Expo 2020; Canon is the Official Printing and Imaging Provider of Expo 2020 Dubai taking place from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022; To register for the event, please click here -> https://bit.ly/3ohOq4y

Canon Middle East (CME) and Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) announced today of their upcoming panel discussion on ‘Women in Filmmaking: In the spotlight and studying landscape of Cinema and Media today in Middle-East and Africa’ to be held at Women’s Pavilion, Dubai Expo 2020. As part of the company’s endeavor to celebrate women change-makers in the creative industries, a noteworthy panel consisting of women filmmakers from the Middle-East and Africa will be brought together on 18th November 2021 at the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The panel discussion is envisioned to celebrate the creative efforts of women filmmakers who make an immeasurable contribution to the enrichment of the industry and to discuss how the industry can re-invent itself to reduce gender disparity. The Expo 2020 Dubai Women’s Pavilion, is dedicated to celebrate the efforts of women in creative industries in order to reaffirm Expo’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Women’s pavilion is a platform that celebrates the significant parts that women, known and unknown, have played throughout history and continue to play in the present day, based on the principle that when women thrive, humanity thrives.

Read the report on TALK OF THE TOWN By Orikinla

http://totnaija.blogspot.com/2021/11/cinema-social-catalyst-dubai-expo-2020.html


Monday, November 8, 2021

Highlights of the Opening Day of 10th Anniversary of AFRIFF in Lagos



The opening day of the 10th Anniversary edition of the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) held on Sunday, November 7, 2021 attracted hundreds of people, including the top A-List stars of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry in the Filmhouse Cinemas at the Landmark Retail Boulevard on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Chioma Ude, the Founder and Executive Director of the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) with Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, the leading major sponsor of AFRIFF.
Chioma Ude with Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Chief Marketing Officer, Prime Video and Amazon Studios with James Farrell, the International Head of Local Originals, Amazon Studios.

Before the Nigerian premiere of the opening film, Amazon Studios' sci-fi action thriller, "Encounter" directed by Michael Pearce, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, the leading major sponsor of AFRIFF lauded the visionary leadership of Chioma Ude, the Founder and Executive Director of one of the best film festivals in Africa and said Access Bank will continue to support AFRIFF. Claire A. Pierangelo, the US Consul General to Nigeria also commended the remarkable success of AFRIFF and that the US Consulate is happy to partner with AFRIFF. Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Chief Marketing Officer, Prime Video and Amazon Studios with James Farrell, the International Head of Local Originals, Amazon Studios were the keynote speakers and they announced the big plans of Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Studios to increase the international appreciation of Nollywood by hiring M-Net West Africa's former Regional Director, Mrs. Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu as the Principal Head of Content Acquisition for Prime Video in Sub-Saharan Africa. Kemi"Lala" Akindoju was the MC of the opening day event.

 JLeo Uche with Mr. Victor Okhai, President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).


Angela M. Gordon, American filmmaker and writer with Wale Ojo and JLeo Uche.

The celebrated filmmakers, actors and stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry who were at the event, included Mr. Victor Okhai, the President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN),  Mrs. Joke Silva-Jacobs, Kunle Afolayan, Charles Novia, Francis Onwochei, Ugezu J. Ugezu, Teco Benson, Obi Emelonye, Jay Franklin, Wale Ojo, Wole Ojo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Osas Ighodaro and JLeo Uche. They had interviews on the red carpet with both local and International guests, participants and visitors.  There were cocktails and foods for everyone at the event. 

In association with The Smithsonian, there was a Soirée Opening Night Fashion Party  at the Shiro Lagos Asian Restaurant and Bar opposite the Filmhouse Cinemas. Famous trendsetter and multiple award winning TV host, Denrele Edun was the cynosure of the Soirée.



Friday, October 29, 2021

AFRIFF Announces Seasoned Entertainment Executive as Creative Director for its 10th Anniversary Edition


AFRIFF Announces Seasoned Entertainment Executive as Creative Director for its 10th Anniversary Edition
 

AFRIFF Announces Seasoned Entertainment Executive as Creative Director for its 10th Anniversary Edition

Lagos, Nigeria –    29/10/2021

Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) today announced seasoned global entertainment executive, Jenny Alonzo, as Creative Director for its 10th anniversary edition

The move comes as AFRIFF continues to solidify itself as Africa’s most innovative film festival, celebrating African content, film making and a unique platform for the many stories Africa has to share with the world. AFRIFF is focused on building the necessary bridge with the rest of the world.

Jenny Alonzo is a recognized leader in content, marketing, and the multicultural markets across all platforms—film, television, digital— and is an advisor to C-Level executives on the ‘super consumers,’ a segment often referred to as multicultural. She has worked on some of the strongest brands in international media, including NBC, The Wall Street Journal, and NUVOtv/FUSE, where she spearheaded the go-to-market strategy for the network’s partnership with global icon Jennifer Lopez.  Most notably, Alonzo was a member of the executive team that launched Lifetime Television and its ground-breaking market positioning of Television for Women.

Alonzo has been an advocate for diverse storytelling and representation throughout her career. She was a two-term member of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) inaugural Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age, served on Nielsen’s Advisory Council, Volvo/Jaguar/LandRover’s Advisory Council, is currently on the Board of Governors for St. John’s University, and is Chair of the Board for circlearound.com. 

Jenny Alonzo has been featured as a Broadcasting & Cable Fifth Estater, in The New York Times, Diversity Inc., Black Enterprise, and El Diario/LaPrensa. She has moderated and participated on highly visible panels at major conferences, including NCTA, CTAM, PROMAX, Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit, Congressional Caucuses, corporate events, and film festivals.

I’m both humbled and excited to be working with Chioma Ude on AFRIFF. This festival is a hidden gem. AFRIFF has been a champion for African filmmakers and Chioma’s mission to amplify and elevate the stories about Africa, Africans, and its Diaspora is right in line with what my brand represents—telling and amplifying stories about women and diverse markets that continue to lead global growth. I am proud to be working with someone who demonstrates a commitment to paying-it-forward and to opening doors for those with limited access, which is still a huge problem in filmmaking and entertainment. 

Alonzo, continued, “Africa is truly the richest continent in the world and yet the stories we see paint a different picture. AFRIFF is doing everything it can to change that by providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and for buyers to experience authentically rich stories they can bring to the world. Chioma is on a mission to ensure AFRIFF becomes the “must attend” film festival of Africa. I’m honoured to join her on this mission,” stated Alonzo. 

AFRIFF takes pride in celebrating some of the best films in Africa in the Feature, Documentary and Short category through careful selection by its Creative Director and International Jury. This year, about 4,000 films have been submitted in all the categories and the selection process for films that will screen at the festival is currently on going. REGISTER FOR AFRIFF.

ABOUT AFRIFF

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) conceived by Ms Chioma Ude is a world class showcase that presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international, actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, musicians, editors, light engineers, students, equipment manufacturers and businesspeople. 

The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through several capacity development workshops; complement government’s efforts at revamping small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).


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Friday, October 15, 2021

AFRIFF Announces James Farrell and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo of Amazon Prime as Keynote Speakers for 10th Anniversary


AFRIFF announces Prime Video’s James Farrell, International Head of Local Originals, and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Chief Marketing Officer, as Keynote Speakers for its 10th anniversary edition!


Lagos, Nigeria –  15/10/2021   

Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), today announces James Farrell, International Head of Local Originals at Amazon Studios, and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Chief Marketing Officer for Prime Video & Amazon Studios, as its keynote speakers for its 10th anniversary edition. The Prime Video leaders will join together in a Fireside Chat for the session at 7.00pm WAT on Sunday 7th November, where delegates will hear more about Prime Video’s plans for future investment in local storytelling in Africa.   

James Farrell is in charge of all Original TV and film created by Amazon Studios outside the US, with recent movies and series including Mixte (France), El Juego de las Llaves (Mexico), Mumbai Diaries 26/11 (India), The Family Man (India), The Dinner Club (Italy) and LOL: Last One Laughing (versions produced in 11 countries in 2021 including Japan, Brazil and Germany). James Farrell commented: “Here at Prime Video we are constantly looking for the highest quality and most ambitious original content to satisfy our local audiences and more than 200 million Prime members globally.  Being present at the 10th edition of AFRIFF is in line with our goal to search out the most unique voices throughout the world and then move quickly to help bring their visions and stories to life. I’m thrilled to be joining Ukonwa for this keynote session, but most of all, I am looking forward to meeting the talented filmmakers at AFRIFF and start building some incredible projects with them.”

Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, who originates from Nigeria, is an experienced global marketing leader. She joined Prime Video & Amazon Studios in 2020 as Chief Marketing Officer, leading global brand and originals marketing from Amazon Studios’ Los Angeles headquarters. Since joining, Ojo has overseen the launches of hit global Prime Video movies and series including Coming2America, Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, Cinderella and The Underground Railroad. Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo commented: “I’m thrilled to be attending in this landmark year for AFRIFF. At Prime Video we are obsessed with finding unique, authentic stories and supporting them to reach both local and global customers. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion with the talented filmmakers who attend this festival, and collaborating on how we can take African storytelling to a global audience.”


This announcement comes as AFRIFF continues to solidify itself as Africa’s most innovative film festival, celebrating African content, film making and a unique platform for the many stories Africa has to share with the world. AFRIFF is focused on building the necessary bridge with the rest of the world. 


AFRIFF founder, Ms Chioma Ude stated; “AFRIFF has continued to scale new heights year after year! After the last 18 months with the pandemic, I am beyond excited to welcome  Film and Television leaders such as James Farrell and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo to be our 10th anniversary keynote speakers. James and Ukonwa’s visit to the festival is not only a testament to Amazon’s commitment to amplifying global and diverse stories, but also their unwavering support for the foundations built over the years by a very hard-working team, further identifying AFRIFF’s shared values with a global giant such as Prime Video!” 

 

AFRIFF takes pride in celebrating some of the best films in Africa in the Feature, Documentary and Short category through careful selection by its Creative Director and International Jury. This year, about 4,000 films have been submitted in all the categories and the selection process for films that will screen at the festival is currently on going.

 

Ends.


ABOUT JAMES FARRELL

As Head of Local Originals, James is in charge of all Original TV and film created by Amazon Studios outside the US. James joined Amazon in April 2015 to lead content for Prime Video in Japan before moving on to other roles encompassing India, Latin America, and ultimately the rest of international in 2018 reporting to Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios.

Local content has been a key driver for the success of Prime Video, and James now manages more than 20 teams based around the world including across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Canada, Australia, India and Africa.

Prior to Amazon, James spent 10 years at Sony Pictures Television with executive roles in Los Angeles, Toronto and Tokyo during that time.  He has an MBA from Columbia Business School, a BA from Middlebury College, and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

ABOUT UKONWA KUZI-ORIZU OJO

Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo is Chief Marketing Officer, Prime Video & Amazon Studios, responsible for leading global brand and originals marketing. She joined Amazon in September 2020 and reports directly to Mike Hopkins, Senior Vice President, Prime Video & Amazon Studios. 

Ojo was previously Chief Marketing Officer for M∙A∙C Cosmetics, where she oversaw brand positioning and increased M∙A∙C’s presence and appeal to a global consumer in growing markets around the world. She helped drive customer engagement strategies and delivered breakthrough product innovation in order to maximize consumer connection to the iconic brand.

Prior to that, she served as Chief Marketing Officer of Consumer Beauty at Coty, where she led P&L, brand development strategy, advertising, innovation, social/digital, design, and media planning/buying. Other positions include Senior Vice President at COVERGIRL, and brand and general management roles at Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser PLC, General Mills Corporation and Meadwestvaco Corporation.

Over the course of her career, Ojo has been recognized with over 50 awards and honors, including Business Insider’s list of 25 Most Innovative CMOs, World Federation of Advertisers’ Global Marketer of the Year, WWD Brand Builder of the Year, Ebony Magazine Power 100, Financial Times Top 100 List of Minority Executives for three consecutive years, and Fast Company’s Top 100 list of Most Creative People in Business among others. She is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a Member of the Executive Leadership Council.

Ojo is a graduate of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. 

ABOUT AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AFRIFF)

 

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is a celebration of Cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora. It consistently delivers a rich programme to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships. It creates an energetic and exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation for delivering incredible value. 

 

The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through several capacity development opportunities.

 

 

 





Thursday, October 7, 2021

AFRIFF Announces the Programme for the 10th Anniversary


AFRIFF Announces the Programme for the 10th Anniversary Edition


Press parley of the 10th anniversary edition of the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) held on Thursday October 7, 2021 at Terra Kulture on Victoria Island, Lagos. The most dynamic and vibrant International film festival in Africa begins from November 7-13 at the Landmark Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Jenny Alonzo, the Creative Director for the 10th Anniversary Edition of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) spoke at the event via a video message.

The Founder and Executive Director of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude introduced the members of the Organising Committee and announced the programme of events, including the opening film ,"Encounter" by Michael Pearce. The sci-fi mystery thriller is about " a decorated Marine who goes on a rescue mission to save his two young sons from a mysterious threat. As their journey takes them in increasingly dangerous directions, the boys will need to leave their childhoods behind." View the official trailer on 

https://youtu.be/mJzNtZlxaJk

The closing film is "Collision" by Bolanle Austen-Peters.

She also announced that AFRIFF has selected 1000 Nigerians to be trained on Animation and Gaming at the AFRIFF Academy with 15 of the best projects in animation to be sponsored by Disney for film productions.





Landmark Centre,
Plot 2-3 Water Corporation Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.