Musa-Musawa, Nollywood and other Stories from Nigeria

Photo: Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa- Musawa.

I read a report by The Punch newspaper of Nigeria, that "Nigeria’s entertainment industry is set to receive a boost with the recent appointment of Hannatu Musawa as the Special Adviser on Culture and Entertainment Economy to President Bola Tinubu."

https://punchng.com/all-eyes-on-president-tinubus-new-adviser-musawa

The Punch did not tell us how Hannatu Musa-Musawa will boost the culture and creative industry, except quoting her academic and professional qualifications as a lawyer like Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information and Culture under former President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,retd.

President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Bolaji Amusan, aka Mr Latin commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for her appointment. 

Why? 

I don't know.

Has she been an outstanding administrator before her appointment? 

I am more concerned with Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry,

The past Ministers for Information and Culture did not know about the administration of the film industry and were more focused on being spokespersons for the President; like Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his predecessors. 

Nigeria does not have a film policy, no single film commission and only recently talking about film treaties with France, Canada and  South Africa. 

Nollywood does not have any insurance policy and no structure in the Nigerian film industry.

There is more opportunism than professionalism in Nollywood and Kannywood.

The National Film and Videos Censors Board (NFVCB) sometimes crosses the line to do the work of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC). 

Have you noticed that many Nigerian movies don't have classifications for the restrictions of children under the ages of 13, 16 and 18. 

They just approve movies once you pay them the fees. 

I have been to their office for the approval of "Changing Faces" of Faruk Lasaki in 2012. They just approved it without any classification. Most likely, they didn't know how to classify the film.  

The office had no library. 

The qualifications of the staff are dubious. Are they trained and certified for their jobs?  

The Nigerian Film Corporation is meant to produce films. 

But have you seen films produced by the corporation since 1999 to date? And when you tell them to do their duties, they become angry and attack you. 

Civil servants and political appointees should not be given appointments which they will not know what to do, except having events, news media interviews and traveling to International conferences to make speeches. They will keep on wasting precious quality time and budgets without achievements. 

What did Alhaji Lai Mohammed achieve for the Nigerian film industry? 

What did he achieve for the music industry?

Show me the milestones of his office in the administration of former President Buhari.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series

3 Important Achievements of Netflix in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria

3 Important Achievements of Netflix in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria

Netflix has supported the creation of over 12,000 jobs and generated $218 million to the GDPs of South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, where they are operational.

Netflix has funded economic activity which created over $44 million in tax revenue and an increase of over $200 million in household income.

Netflix is investing more in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry than Amazon.

#Netflix
#SounthAfrica
#Kenya
#Nigeria
#Nollywood
#investment
#Amazon
#filmindustry 

Hollywood Film Distributor, Vision Films Inc Refuses To Pay Commission on "Eagle Wings" To Nigerian Agent

Hollywood Film Distributor, Vision Films Inc Refuses To Pay Commission on "Eagle Wings" To Nigerian Agent

Lise Romanoff, the Managing Director and CEO of Vision Films Inc, California, USA is presently in dispute with Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, an international agent for film and TV acquisition and distribution over her refusal to pay him the finder's fees and commission on the multiple award winning, Nigerian war film, "Eagle Wings" she acquired through him in 2022.

"She acquired the film after I pitched the film to her for acquisition."

Michael Chima, who is the Publisher and Editor of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series, a publication on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry said that Lise Romanoff threatened to terminate the global distribution contract with the filmmaker, Paul Apel Papel if he insisted on requesting for his finder's fee and commission for the film widely  distributed on VODs and cable TV channels. 

The "Eagle Wings" on the war on the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in northern Nigeria has been showing on M-NET cable TV channels on DStv and streaming on Showmax of the MultiChoice Group, Africa's biggest multimedia entertainment company.

Lise Romanoff said there was no  agreement between Vision Films and Michael Chima. But he dismissed her statement.

"If she did not have any agreement with me, then why did she send me the contract agreement before it was signed by the filmmaker, Paul Apel Papel in the first quarter of 2022 and later sent me the updates on the global distribution of the film she acquired through me? And Vision Films sent me the latest update by email yesterday."

All discussions and transactions between Lise Romanoff and Michael Chima have been by emails without any formal contracts; from the theatrical release of "The American King" in Nigeria by the Silverbird Film Distribution through the recommendation of Michael Chima and she paid him for the publicity and also paid him commission on the box office revenue in July, 2022. She also paid him a minimum guarantee for recommending her to Wiflix, a VOD streaming service based in the Netherlands that is currently streaming several movies distributed by Vision Films Inc.

Therefore, Michael Chima has insisted that his finder's fee and commission on the global distribution of the "Eagle Wings" must be paid as Vision Films paid him for getting them the theatrical release of "The American King" in Nigeria and acquisition of the  rights for the streaming of a catalog of their content by Wiflix. 

Lise Romanoff, the Managing Director and CEO of Vision Films Inc,  California, United States of America, is a member of The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA).

Nollywood Versus Hollywood at the Cinemas in Nigeria

Nollywood Versus Hollywood at the Cinemas in Nigeria

"UNFORGIVABLE" is still on the top 20 box office movies showing at the cinemas in Nigeria. The daring drama on illicit sex, rape and court trial is for adults only.
Kisses n Roses, a Nigerian adult blog is showing the uncensored trailer which is also on YouTube.

There are millions of adults who will rush to watch the movie, but there are not enough cinemas for Nollywood movies in Nigeria.
The film distributors prefer Hollywood movies, because of the popular hype for them.
"Barbie" is over hyped and is the #1 Hollywood film in Nigeria.

"Orisa" is the #1 Nollywood movie. An epic Yoruba drama of mysticism, war and heroism.

FilmOne Limited has the largest cinemas in Nigeria and shows more of their own Nollywood and Hollywood movies than movies from other distributors that I cannot call competitors, because they cannot compete with FilmOne in film distribution in Nigeria.

With a population of over 200 million people, the cinemas are not up to 400 in about 70 locations in the most populous country in Africa.
There are states without a single cinema!

There should be a cinema in every neighbourhood in Nigeria like viewing centres with affordable tickets from N500 - N1, 000 per seat.

Cinewav of Singapore has offered  affordable solutions to make cinemas available in over 2, 000 locations in Nigeria. But the film distributors and exhibitors still want to have cinemas only in enclosures indoors at the upscale shopping malls in middle class locations for only the middle class and upper class people.

Growing Demand for Cinemas in Nigeria - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-48480401

0.4 cinema screens to 100,000 people is very small for millions of movie lovers in Nigeria and the present locations of the few movie theatres are not the most appropriate in terms of demographics, because more thousands of people drive for miles to get to the nearest movie theatres, because they don’t have anyone in their local government areas.

Cinewav can roll out cinemas to the people in their local government areas in Lagos and other conducive and receptive locations in Nigeria. The Ikoyi Club, Ikeja Country Club, Metropolitan Club, Capital Club and other clubs can have Cinewav cinema outdoors and in halls every weekend.

There are more than 50 million people who can afford tickets for $1 per seat in cinemas.
We can have up to 50, 000 cinemas in Nigeria if investors can invest in the installations of low budget affordable cinemas for the majority of Nigerians in every neighbourhood in the country.
Let us bring cinemas closer to the majority of the people.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

#unforgivable
#barbie
#nollywood
#hollywood
#cinemas
#movies
#distributors
#boxoffice
#cinewav
#shoppingmalls
#filmdistribution
#distributors
#exhibitors

Letter To Nollywood

I received good replies from intelligent and wise people who read the firrst important and timely letter I wrote to NOLLYWOOD. The following is an updated version of it 

As written in 

◄ Proverbs 11:14 ►

"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."

The wisdom of the world is nothing to the Wisdom of God.

It is important to accept wise counsel.

I have updated this message, because a big insurance company told me last week that when the company wanted to support Nollywood, the President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) of over a decade ago and the leadership of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) antagonized each other and refused to cooperate on the program. So, the company left and never wanted to support Nollywood again.

When I recommended that AMP should be changed to the appropriate Producers Guild of Nigeria (PGN), it is for the best interests of the Nigerian film industry. 

Intrigues and shenanigans are childish and foolish in professional bodies.

Unprofessional practices have actually caused the untimely demise of several actors and producers in Nollywood without any insurance policy.

The good news is: I have attracted another multinational company in the entertainment industry and I have already recommended a thorough seasoned professional in Nollywood to them. Because, she is above aboard; a woman of substance; a woman of dignity, integrity and nobility of over 40 years professional experience in the Nigerian film industry; from the cradle of Nollywood, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where I also started my career and was paying my monthly tax from the age of 17, when I was earning N400 monthly for four years before going on to work for the John Hopkins University''s Population Communication Services (JHU/PCS) at 21 as a public health illustrator and later as a translator (through which I paid, the Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo to do translation of English into Igbo for the family planning methods booklets fully illustrated by me for the whole Nigeria. I met him at the Radio Nigeria office in Ikoyi, Lagos).

Finally, from a dialogue in my "Once Upon a Time in Nollywood":

Even if you are driving a stolen car in Nollywood since 2010 to date, do your best to drive it well and maintain it, so that people will not even know the truth. I will even enjoy the jolly ride with you and your passengers 😀.  

PS: 

For those who are good enough for the production of documentary films, funding is available for you.

I don't know if anyone applied for the Sundance Documentary Fund I mentioned before the closing date. If you did not apply, you can apply for the 2024 round closing in April.

https://apply.sundance.org/res/p/2023dfpfaq

The Sundance Institute was funded by the MacArthur Foundation.

If you have a film festival with a film institute or foundation, you can apply for the establishment.

We need a Nollywood Museum for the Nigerian film industry from the making of the first feature, "Palaver" of 1926 to date.

See details on The MacArthur Foundation grants.

100&Change, our competition for a single $100 million grant, is open to any proposed solution to any critical problem of our time. Nonprofit and qualifying for-profit organizations may apply. The competition cycle repeats every three years.

https://www.macfound.org/info-grantseekers/

PS:

Please, don't apply for funds to misappropriate the money to enrich yourselves. If you do so, I will also report the misappropriations of the funds which I have done before as a national Program Consultant for the UNICEF in Nigeria for NGOs.

We cannot point accusing fingers at the government for corruption when we are not innocent of corruption. 

Corruption is corruption; from the closet to the Office of the President; from the bedroom to the boardroom.

I have seen greedy filmmakers in Nollywood who misappropriated hundreds of thousands to millions of naira given to them for film and TV productions. And the funders have been disappointed and discouraged from supporting Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,.

The  Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

The first book on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry since 2013. Distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

"UNFORGIVABLE" is On the Top Nigerian Movies at the Cinemas

UNFORGIVABLE is the Most Daring Nigerian Movie on Sex and Rape

A new Nollywood romantic drama, "Unforgivable’ is the most daring Nigerian thriller on mistaken love affair, lust for sex and rape starring popular Nollywood diva, Nancy Isime in her sexiest role with fast rising Nollywood sex symbol, Timini Egbuson. The raunchy erotic scenes are only for adults.

The movie written, produced and directed by Osezuah Elimihe, one of the outstanding filmmakers in Nollywood is already on the Top 10 box office since it started showing at cinemas nationwide with a Watch and Win promo of N100, 000 for moviegoers.

Other actors featured are Jude Orhorha, Victor Eriabie, Mercy Isoyip, Anthonia Okojie, Emeka Okoye, Kokoette Omoinyang. Ijeoma Richards, Joseph Momodu, Aaron Sunday, Moses Nwosu, Osasu Esemuede, Linda Igwe and Aloysius Onyejegbu.

The Synopsis:

An arrogant, self assured, rich, debonair, mid level investment banking professional with an excessive lust for women finds himself mired in a rape charge. In the game of saving himself from life imprisonment and odium, he rejects assistance from his powerful, but modest father and chooses to go it all alone. He will find his cook, who reveres him for his generosity, and his cousin, with whom he has a steaming incestuous relationship, dependable in the fight, but will this be enough for him?

"Unforgivable" is a production of AISRE Pictures with the media partnership of Megalectrics Ltd (operators of Classic FM 97.3 & The Beat 99.9FM) and distributed by Blue Pictures Entertainment.

Watch the Uncensored Trailer on 

http://kissesandroses..com/2023/08/nancy-isime-in-unforgivable-is.html

Women Are the New Game Changers in Nollywood

Yesterday I was at the Glover Memorial Hall on the Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria on Wednesday afternoon,  JULY 19, 2023.

I met with some of the leading key members of the Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) in Nigeria who are major stakeholders in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry who have been committed in the overall capacity development of the film and TV industry since the 1980s to date.

We discussed the Big Picture of the future of the Nigerian film industry in view of the great prospects.

The female filmmakers in Nigeria have produced the most highest grossing movies in Nollywood since 2010 to date. The most recent movies include the following:

Battle on Buka Street (2022): (₦668,423,056) by Funke Akindele.

Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020): ₦636,129,120 by Funke Akindele.

The Wedding Party (2016): ₦452,288,605 by Kemi Adetiba.

Ijakumo (2022) ₦278,496,384 by Toyin Abraham

King of Boys (2018): be  ₦244,775,758 by Kemi Adetiba

View the complete list of the highest-grossing Nigerian films  on Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_Nigerian_films

The highest grossing movies have been acquired by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other top OTT streaming services in the world.

These leading women making fantastic movies also have some of the best film and TV studios and film schools in Nigeria.

These outstanding women are changing the narratives of stereotypical views of women in Nollywood in the sociocultural, socioeconomic and sociopolitical perspectives on the Nigerian society.

More details will be published in the third edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series focusing on the notable Nigerian female filmmakers in Nigeria and the Diaspora and the most powerful women in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRRORED® Series

How Many NOLLYWOOD Movies Have Been Shot on Canon?

How Many NOLLYWOOD Movies Have Been Shot on Canon?

How many Nollywood movies have been shot on Canon?

This is a very important question both for Nollywood and Canon.

Knowing how many people are using your products is critical to the growth of your company in Research and Development (R&D); Marketing and Sales Analysis of the products and services.

Nollywood is the largest film industry in Africa in the productions of movies and should be the largest market for cameras for both cinematography and photography. 

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) , Producers Guild of Nigeria (PGN) and Cinematographers Guild of Nigeria (CGN) or Association of Cinematographers in Nigeria (ACN) should know and have the data on the cameras and accessories used for film and TV productions in the Nigerian film industry.

These facts are included in the indices for the development and growth of the film industry.

What are models and specifications of the Canon cameras used for film and TV productions in the Nigerian film industry?

When did Canon cameras become the most popular cameras in the Nigerian film industry?

Does Canon know the film and TV productions shot with Canon cameras?

The most popular and the best Canon cameras used in Nollywood and Kannywood?

The best movies, documentaries and music videos shot on Canon?

The award winning film and TV productions shot with Canon cameras?

By the way, the third part of my on going documentary film, "Lagos in Motion" was shot on Canon.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/ Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
Executive Director, Screen Naija YouTube Channel.

In Her Eyes Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women in Nigeria

For 100 women who want to become outstanding filmmakers in the Nigerian film industry.

Contact by WhatsApp:

Tel: +234 706 637 9246

In Her Eyes: Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women in Nigeria

In Her Eyes: Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women By Women Program in Nigeria

The Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) in Nigeria are launching the first annual "In Her Eyes Through Her Eyes" Filmmaking Workshop For Women By Women Program in Nigeria for 100 women every year with the goal to increase the number of women professionals working in the Nigerian film industry.

About WIFTI in Nigeria 

https://www.spotlightinitiative.org/press/eu-un-spotlight-initiative-inaugurates-women-film-and-television-international-network-wifti

The maiden workshop will take place in October, 2023.

Facts about Women Making Movies in Nollywood

Do you know that Nigerian female filmmakers have produced the top three and most of the highest grossing Nollywood films so far?

1 Battle on Buka Street, 2022, ₦668,423,056 by Funke Ayotunde Akindele 

2 Omo Ghetto: The Saga, 2020, 

₦636,129,120[2 by Funke Akindele 

3 The Wedding Party, 2016, ₦452,288,605[3 by Kemi Adetiba

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_Nigerian_films

Female filmmakers in Nigeria have produced the highest grossing Nollywood movies, but they have only produced about 5 percent of the over 1, 000 movies produced annually in Nigeria, because they are about 10 percent of over 1, 000 filmmakers in Nigeria.

Imagine how much more in ROI we will have in the Nigerian film industry if we have more female filmmakers in Nollywood.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase the professional engagement of women among the filmmakers in the Nigerian film industry, because, there are not enough  women who are making films in Nigeria compared to the over 1,000 men making movies in the largest film industry in Africa.

I believe women are the best storytellers of their lives.

Can men tell what women go through in menstrual periods and travails of pregnancy more than women?

Can men explain the stigma and trauma of barren women more than women?

Can men know the depth of the loneliness of widows?

Do you know that widows in some tribes in Nigeria have been forced to drink the water used to bathe bodies of their husbands in rituals to swear that they were not responsible for their demise?

There are many untold stories of girls and women in Nigeria, because in several critical situations, it is taboo for them to speak out. 

The In Her Eyes: Through Her Eyes Filmmaking Workshop For Women By Women Program in Nigeria is open for partnership and sponsorship by local and international institutions and organizations.

Small Camera with Big Dreams Versus Big Camera with Small Imagination

Reading in Motion" showing #Nollywood actress,, Celina James reading, "Conspiracy of Lagos" by Bisi Daniels in my documentary film, "Lagos in Motion".

Small Camera with Big Dreams Versus Big Camera with Small Imagination

It is better to have a small camera with big dreams than to have a big camera with small Imagination.

What makes a great filmmaker and photographer is not the size of the camera, but the size of the Imagination.

Without cinematography, there is no cinema. 

What has really affected the quality of film productions in Nollywood is the lack of enough professional cinematographers. 

From the first 60 seconds of a movie, you can see if the cinematography is good or bad.

What will guarantee the picture quality of a movie are the technical quality of the camera; the professional expertise of the cameraman or camerawoman and the expertise of the cinematographer.

Years ago, as a member of the Digital Cinema Society founded by James Mathers, I started the Nollywood Digital blog to announce and introduce new digital cinema cameras to Nigerian filmmakers to keep them updated on the best cameras for the best film and TV productions. I also proposed a quarterly Nollywood Digital Cinema Exhibition for hands-on demonstrations of the cameras and screenings of award winning movies shot with the cameras.

The most popular cameras in Nollywood are from Sony, BlackMagic Design and Canon. 

It is important for these manufacturers to have regular demonstrations of their cameras like Sony Middle East and Africa in collaboration with Kontakt Pro Nigeria Ltd had in Nigeria last September, 2022, showcasing the Cinema Line FX3, FX6 and the FX9 full-frame digital cameras.

Sony has recommended the new FX30 as an ideal choice for filmmakers actively working on or considering entering the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, a major new annual awards program for short films. www.sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com 

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

Founder/CEO,

International Digital Post Network Limited,

Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC)

Vuulr Program Partner

Cinewav Affiliate Partner

Stephanie Linus, Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, Brendan Fraser and other Stars at 2023 Tribeca Festival

Stephanie Linus with other members of the Jury and Robert De Niro and other VIPs.

Nollywood diva, Stephanie Linus joined Hollywood icon, Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, Brendan Fraser and other top stars as the 2023 annual Tribeca Festival started on Wednesday June 7 in New York.

"It is such an exciting festival with many voices amplified, especially women’s voices. It has given a platform for both new and seasoned filmmakers to showcase their works. I am having a great time reviewing the shortlisted films and recommending winners for the 2023 Tribeca Festival, " said Stephanie Linus, the famous Nollywood star who is a member of the Jury.

Robert De Niro is being celebrated with a three-day event later this year to honor his 80th birthday. Mayor Eric Adams presented him with a key to the city. He founded Tribeca Film Festival in  2002. Photo of Robert De Niro from the Tribeca Festival. 

The stars were at the premiere of "Kiss The Future"  at the Tribeca Film Festival that runs from Wednesday, June 7 through Sunday, June 18.

A stirring testament to art’s enduring ability to cast light even in the darkest of circumstances, Kiss the Future follows an underground community that worked and created throughout the nearly four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo.

Sensing that a larger voice is needed, an American aid worker makes a longshot pitch to U2 to help raise awareness about the Bosnian capital’s plight. The band immediately agrees and begins a series of live satellite interviews with local Sarajaevans during their 1993 ZOO TV Tour in an effort to highlight the direness of the situation on the ground. After those mid-concert interviews end, the band pledges to play a concert in the city once the conflict comes to a close. And when U2 arrives to perform a long-promised concert, the show becomes a monument to the strength and resilience of the people of Sarajevo, and art’s capacity to inspire and unite.––Jason Gutierrez

The 2023 features program includes 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries. The lineup includes 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, and six New York premieres. There are 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. 41% (45) of all feature films are directed by women and, for the first time, more than half of competition feature films are directed by women at 68% (19). Additionally, 36% (39) of feature films are directed by BIPOC filmmakers, including two indigenous filmmakers.

This year’s Festival also includes a notable number of films directed by actors: world premiere of First Time Female Director by Chelsea Peretti; world premiere of Maggie Moore(s) by John Slattery; world premiere of Bucky F*cking Dent by David Duchovny; world premiere of Downtown Owl by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater; world premiere of Eric LaRue by Michael Shannon; world premiere of Fresh Kills by Jennifer Esposito; North American premiere of The Listener by Steve Buscemi; New York premiere of Shortcomings by Randall Park; and more.

There are 53 documentary features across all categories including the world premiere of Marvel’s first original documentary Stan Lee by Tribeca alumnus David Gelb as well as world premieres from Academy Award winners and nominees including Julie Cohen, Waad al-Kateab, Morgan Neville, Sam Pollard, Rob Epstein, and Jeffrey Friedman. As an activist festival rooted in the foundational belief that art can inspire change, the 2023 Tribeca Festival showcases numerous documentary features that shine a light on the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the silencing of artists in Iran.

For the third year, the Tribeca Festival continues its commemoration of Juneteenth through the “Expressions of Black Freedom” program, sponsored by Indeed, which includes a festival-wide celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the world premiere of All Up in the Biz, a documentary about New York hip-hop legend Biz Markie, and the world premiere of Cinnamon, directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. and starring Damon Wayans and Pam Grier.

The 2023 “Spotlight+” category includes a series of live events that bring the film experience to life following each premiere. A performance from She Is The Music artists, curated by Alicia Keys, will follow the world premiere of Uncharted; Sara Bareilles will give a special performance following the world premiere of Waitress, the Musical - Live on Broadway!; the one and only Gloria Gaynor will perform following the world premiere of Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive; a conversation with Peabody Award-winning news anchor Dan Rather and director Frank Marshall will follow the world premiere of Rather; Gogol Bordello will perform following the world premiere of Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story; a songwriting masterclass by Indigo Girls will follow the New York premiere of It’s Only Life After All; a musical Q&A with Marc Rebillet will follow the world premiere of Songs About Fucking; and a group of dancehall legends will perform following the world premiere of Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall.

See full program on 
https://tribecafilm.com/press-center/festival/press-releases/tribeca-festival-announces-2023-feature-film-lineup