Showing posts with label Silverbird Galleria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Silverbird Galleria. Show all posts

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Invocation and Eternal close the 2nd Eko International Film Festival


The international award winning film Eternal closed the second Eko International Film Festival in Lagos on Thursday July 14, 2011.

Thursday July 14, 2011.



The Invocation and Eternal close the 2nd Eko International Film Festival

Emmanuel Itier’s dialectical spiritual documentary The Invocation and Chike Ibekwe’s melodramatic metaphysical drama Eternal closed the second edition of the annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) Thursday morning at the Silverbird Cinemas of the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos.

International award winning documentaries, features and short films from Nigeria, Europe and the U.S. were screened from the opening last Saturday July 9 to the closing day on Thursday July 14. The free event attracted leading stakeholders in Nollywood, including top filmmakers, journalists, film critics and the public who had to come to the venue even in the downpour and flood of a very wet season in the coastal mega city of Nigeria, the hub of Africa’s first film industry rated as the second largest in the world by UNESCO.

The President of Eko International Film Festival, Mr. Hope Obioma Opara thanked the Silverbird Group for providing a very conducive venue at the Silverbird Galleria and promoting the event on Silverbird TV, Rhythm FM 93.7 and supporting his company Supple Communications Limited to organize a successful film festival. He also appreciated the morale support of the Nigerian press for the highly commendable news coverage of the event and promises that the third edition next year will be better with the cooperation and support of more participants and sponsors.

“Hopefully, we are going to have corporate sponsors for the third edition in 2012. In fact the preparation for the next one has already begun,” said Mr. Opara. He reemphasized that the mission of Eko International Film Festival is to promote the best interests of Nollywood and use the film festival to make Lagos State a major tourist destination in the world as the famous Cannes Film Festival is doing for France.

The Founder/Festival Director Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima appreciated the outstanding quality of the submitted films from both local and international filmmakers; notably Faruk Lasaki’s romantic thriller Changing Faces, Iara Lee’s socio-political documentary Cultures of Resistance, Emmanuel Itier’s intellectual and spiritual documentary The Invocation, Chike Ibekwe’s metaphysical drama Eternal, Joseph Ugochukwu Ubaka’s engaging urban crime thriller Lilies of the Ghetto and Kayode Ibisankale’s well researched documentary on the Yoruba’s Talking Drum Dundun.

“The enthusiasm of filmmakers to participate in Eko International Film Festival is our greatest encouragement, because what makes a successful film festival is the quality of the films. But, with corporate sponsors we would be able to screen more international award winning films next year and host the filmmakers,” said Michael Chima.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

AMAA CEO Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, others at 2nd Eko International Film Festival


Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

The CEO of African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Peace Anyiam-Osigwe was one of the notable guests at the Wednesday screening of Joseph Ugochukwu Ubaka’s Lilies of the Ghetto on the fifth day of the 2nd Eko International Film Festival at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos. She was introduced to the organizers by top journalist and film critic Shaibu Husseini who is also the Chairman of the AMAA Selection Committee. They met with special guests from the United States of America and discussed the challenges and achievements in Nollywood.

The film festival wraps on Thursday July 14, with the screening of two features, Emmanuel Itier's multiple award winning film The Invocation narrated by the famous Hollywood actress Sharon Stone and Chike Ibekwe’s award winning movie Eternal.


Monday, July 11, 2011

Eko International Film Festival presents World Premiere of "Direc-Toh"

The world premiere of Abba Makama's "Direc-Toh" the fastest Nigerian movie shot in one day comes up on Tuesday July 12, the third day of the 2nd Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) at the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos. The film will be screened at 10.30 am. The young Nigerian director is a graduate of New York University film school.



A Nigerian Film maker sets out to make a record as the fastest filmmaker on the Planet. Big Ben a.k.a the light speed champion tries shooting a feature film in one day and all hell breaks loose..

Written, Directed, Shot and Edited by Abba Makama.
Co Writer-Gabriel Ofor Okafor
Producers-Lani Makama, Benedict Aromeh, Abba Makama
Starring Benedict Aromeh, Dabis Christopher
Genre- Nolly Woody Allen, Comedy Satire, Afro Psycho Pseudo Hipster babble, Mockumentary
Format- HDV
Budget-All in the magic baby..
Release date. mid 2010.


World Premiere of fastest Nollywood film at 2011 EKOIFF

The world premiere of Abba Makama's "Direc-Toh" the fastest Nigerian movie shot in one day comes up onTuesday July 12, the third day of the 2nd Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) at the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos. The film will be screened at 10.30 am. The young Nigerian director is a graduate of New York University film school.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

African Premiere of The Invocation now on Thursday July 14, in Lagos



Due to the heavy rainfall and flooded roads on Victoria Island on Sunday, the African premiere of Emmanuel Itier's multiple award winning spiritual documentary "The Invocation" will now formally take place on the closing day of the 2nd Eko International Film Festival on Thursday July 14, 2011, at 10 am at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.



There is no gate fee throughout the film festival. So, it is open to the public gratis.

Emmanuel Itier has sent the following message:


Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters:

I'm sorry I cannot be with you during the Festival and the screening of our film THE INVOCATION due to the filming of our new documentary: "FEMME: Women healing the World".
But I'm with you in spirit and love. And more than anything we need Love, Spirit to forget and forgive about Hate, War and Death.
I wish the Festival the Best of Luck and great Success. I know this amazing and daring Film Festival will be around for a long long time.
I encourage you as Gandhi said to understand that "There is no way to Peace, Peace is The Way". Together We ARE, We ARE ONE.

With Warm Hugs of Peace!

In Oneness,

Emmanuel ITIER
Director/Producer
Www.wonderlandentgroup.com
Email: WL1@cox.net



Saturday, July 9, 2011

2nd Eko International Film Festival opens in Lagos




The 2nd Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) opened Saturday morning in Lagos with the Nigerian premiere of Faruk Lasaki's romantic thriller Changing Faces at the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island. The feature of 92 minutes is on the psychological trauma of an illicit affair caused by the transference of spirits through sex.

Many people came for the opening day graced by top Nigerian entertainment journalists including Shaibu Husseini of The Guardian who was later joined by his boss Jahman Anikulapo, the Editor of The Guardian on Sunday, Victor Akande of The Nation, Wale Idowu Shadrach, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Movietainment, the leading magazine on Nollywood and other sectors of the Nigerian entertainment industry; and notable stakeholders present were Femi Odugbemi, the multiple award winning Nigerian filmmaker and head of DVWORX, who is also the Founder/Festival director the iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival, Mrs. Duro Oni representing the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), famous Nollywood director Fidelis Duker who is the Founder/Festival Director of Abuja International Film Festival, Alex Onyogho, President of the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), Mrs. Busola Solanke, Chikezie Nkemdirim Donatus of Independent Field Advertisers Limited, Chris Nwankpa, the CEO of Fintel and an executive producer of the action movie Dangerous Men accompanied by the leading actress Onyekachi Anyajike with Kiki Deo, international award winning filmmaker Chike Ibekwe, and Bic Leu, a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Lagos, author of Finding Nollywood, who is in Nigeria to analyze Nollywood’s social impact through the Social Return on Investment (SROI). She has been liaising with Professor Duro Oni, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lagos, who has agreed to support and supervise her project and having access to Professor Oni’s ongoing project with the Open University in the United Kingdom to build a multimedia archive of all Nollywood films and related literary materials.

Faruk Lasaki spoke on the making of Changing Faces after the screening. The film critics praised the exceptional quality of his movie which they rated above the other movies in Nollywood. They wanted the movie to be shown at the various cinemas in Nigeria.

Hope Obioma Opara, President of the film festival and the Founder/Festival Director Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima were happy with the impressive turn out and agreed that with more sponsors the EKOIFF will attract more international filmmakers and tourists to Lagos for the benefit of the Nigerian film industry and boost tourism.

The five days film festival continues tomorrow Sunday with the African premiere of Emmanuel Itier's multiple award winning spiritual documenatary "The Invocation" narrated by Sharon Stone, the famous Hollywood actress of the Basic Instinct fame.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

2nd Eko International Film Festival Programme



2nd Eko International Film Festival Programme

Saturday July 9th – Thursday July 14th, 2011

SATURDAY, July 9th OPENING DAY @ Silverbird Galleria, 133 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos

Hosted by __________

9:00am – 10:00am

Arrival of Guests, Participants and Attendants.

10:00am – 10:30am

National Anthem and Opening remarks


10:30am – 12:00 noon

CHANGING FACES/ Nigerian Premiere
By Faruk Lasaki/ Nigeria / 2009 / 92 min





Faruk Lasaki’s Changing Faces suggests personal angels and demons are not simply metaphorical, but wield a tangible influence on mortals which we cannot comprehend.

Marriage means little to Lola, the hedonistic journalist. Unmarried herself, she refuses to let a mere trifle like a wedding ring deter her from a promising sexual encounter. However, the devoutly Christian Dale Svenson takes marriage very seriously. He is even prim and proper with his own wife. Assigned to cover the painfully dull architectural conference he will address, the uptight Svenson catches her eye. Over the course of a week, Lola plays an elaborate game of sexual cat and mouse with her prey. Eventually, it indeed turns out that whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.

However, this time conquest comes with a price, both for Lola and Svenson. Faces posits a world in which sex not only occurs on a physical level, but on a spiritual level, involving the spirits people carry with them. By some fluke, Lola and Svenson swap their moral compasses during their night of passion. Now recklessly lecherous, Svenson recognizes something happened to him that night, which threatens to derail his marriage and career. On the wagon and living with integrity, Lola by contrast welcomes her new square life.

While Svenson resorts to a witch doctor’s services in a moment of desperation, Faces ultimately links salvation and faith. Lasaki’s debut narrative film, written by Yinka Ogun, is surprisingly overt in its Christian orientation. It is a morality tale in which morality matters. It suggests a life of rectitude is preferable to the ostensive pleasure of sin. However, like Christian films produced domestically, the production values are spotty and the acting is sometimes suspect. British actress Rachel Young fares the best as Lola, the former temptress. Unfortunately, as Svenson, her fellow countrymen, Marc Baylis comes across like an actor in a Christian film.

Still, in many ways Faces is an intriguing film. His scenes involving the unseen “angels” are particularly clever in their staging and Emmanuel Fagbure has a real screen presence as Lola’s leering supernatural companion. It also serves as an interesting reflection of contemporary Nigeria, in that the inter-racial relationships never raise eyebrows—at least for that specific reason. Though undercut by a weak lead, Faces suggests Lasaki might have some fascinating films in his future.

SUNDAY, July 10th


9:00am – 10:00am

THUNDERBOLT AND THE MERMAID
A short film by Diego Sanchidrian, Spain/ / 2010 / 11 min





Synopsis: It is said that dreams are unreachable for they are far away,hiding beyond the stars. But in order to make them come true you do not have to know where they hide, you just do not have to be bold enough to


THE STORYMAKER
A short film by Jose Gomez Gaugo, Spain / 2009 / 15 min



Synopsis: With my hammer I forge the store of every life, of every person. The most wonderful moments, the most humble, the most fabulous... All of them have been conceived by me.

TROPE ZONES
A short film by David Macian and Eduardo Molinari, Spain / 2010 / 6 min

Synopsis: He’s crazy about food; she’ll do anything to please him. A perfect romance as long as something is in the fridge.

10:00am – 12:00 noon

THE INVOCATION – African Pemiere
By Emmanuel Itier/Narrated by Sharon Stone, U.S.A /2010 / 90 min



Synopsis: An exploration of the notion of 'God' and World Peace through Religion, Spirituality, History, Science, Politics and Arts.

MONDAY, July 11th

9:00am – 10:00am

THEME PAPER:NOLLYWOOD AND THE EMERGING CINEMA

DREAMS FOR NIGERIA
A short film by ARI, U.S.A/2010/ 26 min



Synopsis: "Dreams for Nigeria" highlights both the challenges and achievements of seven female members of Nigeria's House of Representatives, and the role they have played in their country's political, social and economic development. The documentary follows the legislators as they meet with their constituents and discuss their goals for the future of Nigeria. Highlighting education and better access to healthcare as necessary tasks, these women hope to be models to Nigeria's youth and present a diversely unified Nigeria where everyday dreams are attainable.

The representatives highlighted in the documentary include: Hon. Binta Garba Masi, Adamawa State; Hon. Saudatu Sani, Kaduna State; Hon. Titi Akindahunsi, Ekiti State; Hon. Maimuna Adaji, Kwara State; Hon. Florence Akinwale, Ekiti State; Hon. Nimota Oba Suleiman, Kwara State; Hon. Beni Lar, Plateau State.


10:00am – 12:00 noon

DUNDUN (TALKING DRUM)
By Kayode Ibisankale, Nigeria/ 2009 / 83 min






Synopsis: Dundun takes the viewer to the city of Oyo in Nigeria where the drum is believed to have originated. This comprehensive documentary shows the cultural and historical context surrounding the drum and an in-depth examination of its construction, from chopping down the correct tree to the finishing design touches. The film also presents many performances and demonstrates who may use the drum, when and for what it is used, and what is communicated.


TUESDAY, July 12th

9:00am – 10:00am

LA UNION
A short film by Carlos A. Sambricio, Spain / 2008 / 18 min

Synopsis: Sara encounters her boyfriend Fran, who died in a car crash six months earlier. A mysterous and breathtaking mood develops as Fran Employes a hypnotyc seduction game in order to convince Sara that he is real and that they can be together again.


OUT THERE
A short film by Chino Moya, Spain/UK, 2010/ 8 min

Synopsis: After a dispute, a young woman leaves her older boyfriend’s comfortable apartment.
She has nowhere to go, so she wanders the streets aimlessly, eventually ending up in a café where she has a random encounter.

10:00am – 12:00 noon

CULTURE OF RESISTANCE
By Iara Lee, U.S.A / 2010 / 73 min





Synopsis: Does each gesture really make a difference? Can music and dance be weapons of peace? In 2003, on the eve of the Iraq war, director Iara Lee embarked on a journey to better understand a world increasingly embroiled in conflict and, as she saw it, heading for self-destruction. After several years, travelling over five continents, Iara encountered growing numbers of people who committed their lives to promoting change. This is their story. From IRAN, where graffiti and rap became tools in fighting government repression, to BURMA, where monks acting in the tradition of Gandhi take on a dictatorship, moving on to BRAZIL, where musicians reach out to slum kids and transform guns into guitars, and ending in PALESTINIAN refugee camps in LEBANON, where photography, music, and film have given a voice to those rarely heard, CULTURES OF RESISTANCE explores how art and creativity can be ammunition in the battle for peace and justice.

Featuring: Medellín poets for peace, Capoeira masters from Brazil, Niger Delta militants, Iranian graffiti artists, women’s movement leaders in Rwanda, Lebanon’s refugee filmmakers, U.S. political pranksters, indigenous Kayapó activists from the Xingu River, Israeli dissidents, hip-hop artists from Palestine, and many more...

Cultures of Resistance Awards:
ETHIOPIA/ ADDIS ABABA, Audience Award, Addis International Film Festival
USA/ CA, Best Documentary, Tiburon International Film Festival
INDIA/ JAIPUR, Green Rose Award, Jaipur International Film Festival
BENIN/ OUIDAH, Python Audience Prize, Jury Special Mentions, Ouidah International Film Festival
UKRAINE/ KIEV, Best Documentary on Human Rights, Steps International Film Festival

WEDNESDAY, July 13th

9:00am – 10:00am

DOLLS
A short film by Rosa Marquez, Spain/ 2009/ 14 min

Synopsis: Ana wakes up in an old abandoned stable; next to her, there is a mysterious girl who seems to have been there for a long time, but the only thing she can find out about her is her name: Irina. Ana will try desperately to get Irina’s help to escape from their captor.

ANSIEDAD (ANXIETY)
A short film by Eduardo Casanova, Spain / 2009 / 25 min

Synopsis: Violeta Largertija is a great prima donna with social phobia. Violeta can neither speak nor relate by anybody that knows her, with her lovesick character, she survives feeding on tranquillizers.
Bertlo is crazy in love with Violeta, but he knows her problem and has a plan to know her.
Anxiety is a story about tranquillizers, an eccentric story, egocentric, excessive, melodramatic, dark, but especially anxious


10:00am – 12:00 noon

LILIES OF THE GHETTO
By Ugochukwu Joseph Ubaka, Nigeria / 2009 / 84 min





Synopsis: IJALOKO an ex-convict and a ghetto monster, abducts five kids from his neighborhood, JOHNNIE, SMALL, KONKOLO, FRYO and BOBO, he brainwash them in view of giving them a good life.

IJALOKO introduces them into using of hard-drugs thereby destroying their human conscience and making them menace to the society in order for him to achieve his selfish desires.

Five of these kids die one after the other at different occasion in a miserable ways except JOHNNIE the luckiest of them all.
Through LILY, Madam JET’S Daughter whom JOHNNIE is dating, JOHNNIE realizes the importance of education and good life.

JOHNNIE makes up his mind to quit gangsterism and return to school, but IJALOKO being the obstacle because of the vow that they’ve taken until death does them part. JOHNNIE had no option but to kill IJALOKO in order for him to get a better life.


THURSDAY, July 14th


9.00am – 10:00am

CLOSING CEREMONY

10:00am – 12:00 noon

ETERNAL
By Chike Ibekwe, Nigeria/2009/ 94 min



Synopsis: Eternal, the 94 minutes film tells the unforgettable story of Dozie and Chima, two faithful Nigerian friends who were soldiers with the ECOMOG mission in West Africa and after returning from the peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone, they went to a social event. But on the way back, Chima was struck by a car and died on the spot. Dozie was heartbroken as he mourned the loss of his dearest buddy until one day the ghost of his faithful companion Chima inhabited his body to continue their eternal bond.

Chike got funding support from France to shoot Eternal. The film was selected and screened at Film festival d’armiens in France in 2008 and also at ZUMA Film festival in Nigeria in 2008. He is currently working on his second film Letter to the Professor featuring Prof. Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel laureate in Literature.

Chike Ibekwe is a hardworking filmmaker/producer and writer. He created, produced and directed OFF CAMPUS a TV Sitcom series.


Thursday, June 23, 2011

Faruk Lasaki’s Nigerian premiere of Changing Faces at 2011 EKOIFF




Faruk Lasaki’s Nigerian premiere of Changing Faces at 2011 EKOIFF

The Nigerian premiere of Faruk Lasaki’s spiritual thriller "Changing Faces" will definitely thrill the audience at the second Eko International Film Festival at the Silverbird Galleria from July 9-14, 2011.

Faruk Lasaki is one of the ambitious filmmakers who are making Nigeria proud in the international arena by making movies that are quite different from the common Nollywood flicks. He is also an accomplished producer of award winning commercials and documentaries who got his first break with his 15 minutes short documentary "Scars" (CICATRIZES) that won him $20,000 at the É Tudo Verdade - Festival Internacional de Documentários in Brazil in 1998.

"Changing Faces" is a 92 minutes metaphysical romantic thriller on the transference of spirits through sex as ‘Two unlikely bedfellows share a night of passion’ and their lives were never the same again. The film parades an international cast of professional British and notable Nigerian actors and actresses Alex Lopez, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey and Ayo Mogaji.

"Changing Faces" was premiered at the Pavillion les Cinema Du Sud of the 61st Cannes Film Festival., featured in competition at the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 2009, Cairo International Film Festival in 2009. Black Diaspora International Film Festival of New York in 2008.

“Changing Faces” was the first Nigerian film to be dubbed into French and screened at FESPACO and Ecrans Noirs in 2009. And on the 3rd and 6th of August 2009, Canal France International (CFI) presented it as the first Nigerian feature film on it’s network and interviewed the director Faruk Lasaki.