Showing posts with label film distribution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film distribution. Show all posts

Sunday, November 12, 2023

ZENITH 2024 Inaugural International Film Festival

 


ZENITH 2024

Zenith International Film Festival: Coming Soon!

Zenith International Film Festival is an annual independent film festival for the promotion of the best in motion picture, from script to screen; where the most ambitious filmmakers will meet the most ambitious film distributors from all over the world.

Participation is strictly by application and competition is only by official selection. 

Only 20 films will be selected by the international jury.

The inaugural annual Zenith International Film Festival will be launched in Lagos before the end of 2024. 


 We may not be the first and we may not be the biggest, but our mission is to be among the best international film festivals in the world.

More details will be announced later.

#zenith
#filmfestivals
#officialselection
#nominees
#nominations
#awards
#prizes
#filmmaking
#movies
#actors
#nigeria
#filmmakers
#jury
#filmdistribution
#acquisition

#ZENITH2024

Friday, October 6, 2023

AFRIFF and MTN Join Forces To Empower African Filmmakers and Promote Indigenous Content

AFRIFF and MTN Join Forces to Empower African Filmmakers and Promote Indigenous Content



The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is thrilled to announce its groundbreaking partnership with MTN, the largest telecommunications company in Africa. This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize the African film industry, opening up new avenues for filmmakers and creating opportunities for the promotion and distribution of indigenous content.

AFRIFF, widely recognized as the largest annual film festival in Africa, has been at the forefront of showcasing exceptional African cinema and nurturing emerging talent for over a decade. With an impressive array of films submitted each year, the festival has become a beacon of creativity, diversity, and cultural exchange in the African film landscape.

MTN, with its extensive network and largest aggregation of subscribers, is committed to fostering the growth of the African entertainment industry following the indigenous 2.0 theme. This visionary approach seeks to empower African players in the film industry by providing them with unprecedented opportunities for Global  exposure and distribution.

Through this partnership, AFRIFF and MTN aim to bridge the gap between talented African filmmakers and a wider audience. As the streaming landscape is dominated by global streamers. Many deserving films from Africa struggle to find a platform for their voices to be heard. This collaboration will address this critical challenge by offering a dedicated channel where African filmmakers can showcase their work to millions of viewers across the continent.

The benefits of this partnership extend beyond the filmmakers themselves. By amplifying African voices and promoting indigenous content, AFRIFF and MTN will contribute to the preservation and celebration of African culture and stories. This strategic endeavor will create economic opportunities for local talent, boost tourism, and enhance Africa's global reputation as a hub of artistic excellence.

Speaking about the partnership, the Founder of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude expressed her excitement, stating, "We are thrilled to join forces with MTN, a leader in the telecommunications industry. This collaboration will empower African filmmakers, providing them with the means to reach a broader audience and ensuring that their incredible stories are heard. Together, we will redefine the African film landscape and foster the growth of the industry."

Our indigenous 2.0 global aligns perfectly with MTN’s mission, and together, we will unlock the immense potential of African filmmakers. By leveraging our extensive network and resources, we will pave way for a more inclusive and vibrant African content. On her own part, the Chief Digital Officer of MTN, Aisha Umar-Mumuni said: 

“Digital entertainment has become an integral part of our day to day lives, and the growth in the use of smartphones and digital services has compelled the need to provide digital solutions and partner with organizations like AFRIFF, to distribute indigenous African content, making them accessible regardless of geographical locations. And we are well-positioned to lead the charge as the biggest ICT operator in Africa, committed to using technology to promote the continent on the global stage.”

As AFRIFF and MTN embark on this groundbreaking partnership, they invite filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts to join them in this exciting new chapter for African cinema. Together, they will champion the power of storytelling and elevate the voices of African filmmakers to new heights.

About AFRIFF:

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is the largest annual film festival in Africa, dedicated to showcasing exceptional African cinema and nurturing emerging talent. With a diverse range of films from across the continent, AFRIFF provides a platform for cultural exchange and celebrates the rich heritage of African storytelling.

About MTN:

MTN is the largest telecommunications company in Africa, with a wide-reaching network and the largest aggregation of subscribers. Committed to empowering African players in the entertainment industry.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

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).



Wednesday, August 16, 2023

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

Thursday, May 26, 2022

NOLLYWOOD: How Can A So Called Booming Film Industry Be Full of Hungry Actors and Directors?

NOLLYWOOD: How Can A So Called Booming Film Industry Be Full of Hungry Actors and Directors?

Nollywood makes news headlines as a booming film industry, the second largest in the world after the Bollywood of India in the production of movies estimated to be worth over US$250 million annually which is less than the total budget of Avatar ($280 million), Tangled ($260 million), Spider-Man 3 ($258 million) or Pirates of the Caribbean sequels ($300 million).
See "Nollywood: The Nigerian Film Industry by Harvard Kennedy School on http://www.isc.hbs.edu/pdf/Student_Projects/Nigeria_Film_2008.pdf, which every literate person in Nigeria and others in the world should read

The realities in Nollywood are different from the booming headlines, because majority of the actors and directors are living in poverty from Lagos to Asaba.

Majority of the filmmakers are not well paid for their movies by the leading multinational cable TV network, MultiChoice Nigeria of the MultiChoice Group and many of them just wanted to have their movies on the DStv Channels of MultiChoice such as the Africa Magic for the publicity. Then only few of them smiled to the bank from the box office revenues of their movies distributed and exhibited by local film distributors and cinemas. The cinemas have not been making enough for a so called booming film industry without a film market. The highest grossing Nollywood movie from the box office in Nigeria, Funke Akindele- Bello's "Ọmọ́ Ghetto, The Saga" made less than N700 million which is not even up to the monthly incomes of the co-CEOs of Netflix, Reed Hastings who  earns more than $40.8 million annually and Ted Sarandos who  earns more than $38.2 million annually.
So, Nollywood is still far from the news headlines of a booming film industry.

#nollywood #bollywood #ceos #boxoffice #income #revenue
#film #netflix #filmmakers #africa #nigeria #network #india #school #bank #filmmarket #distribution #cinemas #actors #directors #spiderman #avatar #harvard #movies #dstv #multichoice #asaba #budget #hastings #sarandos #news #africamagic #piratesofthecaribbean





Saturday, April 23, 2022

We Made History for Nollywood

We Made History for Nollywood 

Unknown to majority of people, we made history by breaking new grounds for #Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry in the first quarter of 2022 through Vision Films Inc of California (the home state of #Hollywood). Two filmmakers from the same Benue State in the Middle Belt of Nigeria have made history with their in-depth analytical films of different genres, "The American King" by Dr. Adah Obekpa is the first Hollywood and Nollywood comedy to have theatrical release in movie theaters in the United States of America (USA) with thanks to Vision Films Inc and "Eagle Wings" by Paul Apel Papel is the first Nigerian film to have the biggest global film distribution in the history of the Nigerian film industry since the making of "Palaver", the first feature film shot in NIgeria by the Academy Award winning English filmmaker, Geoffrey Barkas in 1926.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
 Publisher/Editor, 
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series 

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Corruption in Nollywood?

Corruption in Nollywood?
From the Distribution To the Exhibition of NIgerian Movies in Cinemas

When one #Nollywood movie has more screens than other Nollywood #movies, it becomes the highest grossing movie; not on merit, but on favouritism by the film distributors and exhibitors with more cinemas in Nigeria.

Some of the best new movies by NIgerian filmmakers released in 2022 have been relegated with less than 40 cinemas whereas the movies or teleplays  by the filmmakers with bottom power or long legs in Nollywood have been given over 51 cinemas to become highest grossing NIgerian movies since 2016 to date. 

Is this how it works?

Did the filmmakers given more screens pay for them by rental or what?

The manipulation of the box office in NIgeria is another form corruption in the film industry that is not different from the endemic political corruption caused by the maladministration of the NIgerian government by the corrupt and incompetent public officials and their partners in crime; the contractors in the private sector.

When topocracy overrides meritocracy, mediocrity becomes the order of the day.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series.

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Film Distribution is No Longer the Problem of Nollywood


Film Distribution is No Longer the Problem of Nollywood


Widespread piracy and international film distribution were the recurrent problems of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry before the attraction of the leading companies in acquisition and distribution in the global film industry through the participation of Nigerian filmmakers in international film festivals and markets in America and Europe.
The international exposure improved the quality of Nigerian movies in accordance with the criteria for international acquisition and distribution of film and TV productions with the use of the best digital cinema cameras and accessories from Canon, Sony, Blackmagic Design, Christie Digital and ARRI.

With the attractions of the MultiChoice Group, StarTimes, 
Canal+, Sky TV, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney, Lionsgate and others, Nigerian filmmakers cannot complain about the lack of access for the international acquisition and distribution of their movies. The only challenge to them is to produce very good movies to meet the growing demand for global content of top quality of international standards.

Nollywood has attracted Dolby for the best sound quality in film and TV productions, Hiventy for the best dubbing in different international languages of movies, TV dramas, comedies and series and Drylab R&D AS of Norway for the best set reports and workflows for film and TV productions.

 

Nollywood has also attracted the IMAX Corporation of Canada for mega cinemas and CanalOlympia of France. 
"It is very important for us to be close to Nollywood," Simon Minkowski, development director at Canal Olympia, told AFP.  
Another IMAX cinema is going to be built within the next five years.

There are other leading global companies with big budgets for international acquisition and distribution and are willing to acquire the film and TV rights to Nigerian content of which I have recommended two new movies by two outstanding Nigerian filmmakers. One of the movies is scheduled for theatrical release in local cinemas in Nigeria. They are also looking for new movies that can have international theatrical release.  


Success Iyoha, one of the actors for the "Naked Beauty".


My Big Picture of Nollywood is to see Nigerian movies grossing up to US$100 million globally in the next five years and to see Nollywood actors (both female and male) earning up to US$5 million for playing leading roles in big budget movies. The leading actor in my proposed first feature, "Naked Beauty" will earn US$500, 000 for her role alongside the African American A-List Hollywood actor. And she will still be under 30 years at the world premiere of the film in Europe. 

The final statement is international acquisition and distribution companies are available for the best film and TV productions from Nollywood.
And only the best is good enough for us. So, don't settle for less.


- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The CEO,
International Digital Post Network Limited,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
@247nigeria Twitter,
Vuulr Program Partner,
International Acquisition and Distribution.
Drylab Ambassador for international productions,
Member, Digital Cinema Society.






Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Reel Price Index of Content Globally

Reel Price Index: Participate To Get a Report of the Relative Value of Content Globally

As content goes global, we are all faced with the question of how to value content in territories we are not familiar with.

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https://www.reelpriceindex.com/?referredBy=vuulr-email