DHL Nigeria Have Fun Day with Little Saints Orphanage to Celebrate Global Volunteer Day

All Smiles Some of the children from the Little Saints Orphanage.
  

DHL employees in Nigeria mark Global Volunteer Day by organizing outdoor fun day for children from the Little Saints Orphanage
 

Nigeria, September 23, 2013: DHL Nigeria part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading postal and logistics group, recently marked Global Volunteer Day 2013 with 100 employees taking part in organizing an outdoor fun day for children from the Little Saints orphanage as part of its global drive to give back to local communities and to inculcate a passion for volunteerism among employees.

“DPDHL is passionate about giving back to the community and Global Volunteer Day is a priority for our company. Our project locally is not only aligned to this global enthusiasm and our international goals and approach, but also fits into the national agenda, creating hope for local communities and the people of Nigeria, says Randy Buday, Country Manager, DHL Nigeria. 

Country Manager, Randy Buday with the DHL NG Volunteers and the children from the Little Saints Orphanage.

The day started bright with about 100 DHL employees turning up at the Isolo office premises to set up rides, games, music as well as food and drink serving points for the visiting children. At about 11am, two buses conveying 100 children from the orphanage drove into the DHL compound amidst smiles and cheers from the employees.

The children were first treated to some light aerobic activities before the fun and games began with activities such as singing, dancing, bouncing, sliding and more. The children also enjoyed a wide selection of mouth watering meals as well as cotton candy, ice cream, popcorn and other kiddies favorites. By the end of the day, it was obvious the children didn’t want to leave the little wonderland the DHL employees had created for them.

After the event, one of the children had this to say: “My name is Akinyemi Ephraim George one of the children in Little Saints Orphanage. I really want to use this great opportunity to appreciate the company (DHL) and the manager for their love, care and time spent with the children. I want to say a very big thank you sir and ma and I pray may God continue to bless the company and all the staffs of DHL.”                        

The DHL NG Team of Volunteers.

                           

“At DHL we believe that people are our greatest resource and the company aims to encourage employees to actively participate in community efforts, as well as inspire the spirit of volunteerism,” says Olufunmilayo Glover, Human Resources Manager, DHL Nigeria.

Introduced in Asia Pacific in 2008, Volunteer Day has expanded into Americas, Middle East, Africa and Europe over the years, and continues to build on its success by involving more employees than ever before. In 2012, the initiative was rolled out globally with tremendous success – 62,000 volunteers in about 120 countries and territories participated in more than 1,000 community programs.

For Global Volunteer Day 2013, Deutsche Post DHL offices around the world are participating in many diverse community projects in support of various local causes. These programs deliver to the company’s three Corporate Responsibility programs – GoTeach (championing education), GoGreen (protecting the environment) and GoHelp (delivering help). 

“Global Volunteer Day is a key part of our sustainability focus and an integral part of our company’s commitment to deliver its Corporate Responsibility strategy through GoGreen, GoHelp and GoTeach,” comments Randy Buday.

“If we can just make a difference in our local communities; imagine an entire globe full of corporate volunteers banding together. Global Volunteer Day is just that – an international organisation standing together to effect change in the communities that we serve.” 

- End -

Media Contact:

olawale.adetula@dhl.com

www.dhl.com

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics Company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 55 billion Euros in 2012.  

Tweet

 

Eko International Film Festival Endorsed by Lagos State Government

Eko International Film Festival Endorsed by Lagos State Government

The annual Eko International Film Festival is now endorsed by the Lagos state government.
Receiving the endorsement from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter governmental affairs, the President of Eko International Film Festival Mr. Hope Obioma Opara expressed his appreciation and pledged to work with his team in realizing his dream of building a big film festival in this mega city of Lagos. He stated that there is no way a film festival can be well recognized at the global level without the endorsement and support from the host state and the country at large, because film festivals are platforms that can be used to explore the tourism potentials of a country and attract direct foreign investments to Lagos state and Nigeria..

Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, President of Eko International Film Festival with top Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France.


 In his interaction with Barr Mrs. A.A Agbamiloja, who represented the Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, he assured the government that the next level is to attract the global film market to Lagos. Having the backing of the host state is imperative in establishing an international film festival in every city of the world.


The annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) is Nigeria’s leading international film festival in the coastal mega city of Lagos in south western Nigeria.
It was founded in August 2009 by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, the Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report and CEO of International Digital Post Network Limited and Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema, the operators of the Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema Project in Nigeria. The film festival was duly registered by Supple Communications Limited in September 2009 as the organizers.


The inaugural edition was held in the mega city of Lagos in summer, July 7-12, 2010, at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas of The Palms in Lekki, Lagos, with filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, UK, Germany, France, Spain and America. The second edition and third editions were held in July 2011 and 2012 at the Silverbird Cinemas of the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos. The fourth edition coming up from November 18-23, 2013 has received dozens of movies submitted by filmmakers from different countries including Iran, Serbia, Holland, South Africa, Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, USA, Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora and  more entries will be accepted until the closing date of October 15, 2013.


Tweet

 

Dear Parents of Every Girl Child

"Girl Rising" will premiere in Nigeria on Friday October 11, 2013, see the details below.

Dear Parents of every girl child,
What kind of education are you giving your child?
You know your child is your future.

We want to talk to you on educating our daughters and lest we forget, our housemaids or house-girls are not left out.
You must not deprive any housemaid or house-girl of education.

The kind of education you give your housemaid or house-girl will affect and reflect in the life of your own child, because you often leave your child in the care of your housemaid or house-girl while you are at work or elsewhere and it is what she knows she will share or teach your child. So, it would be best and of great benefit to you to make sure that you don't deprive your housemaid or house-girl of a good education for the mutual benefit of your own child.
Your own daughter and the housemaid or house-girl are going to share many things in common as long as they live in the same environment and as the Laws of Harvest prove and the Word of God says, what we sow is what we shall reap sooner or later in life. So, please care and love every housemaid or house-girl as you care and love your own child. 
Don't maltreat your housemaid or house-girl lest she will also maltreat your child or become a negative influence in the upbringing of your child.

If you don't educate your housemaid or house-girl, you are only showing a bad example that will definitely harm you in the future, because our daughters regardless of their social class backgrounds are the future mothers of our nations. 

Now here are the facts you should know.

66 million girls across the world are out of school.

Source: UNESCO - UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics estimation

---

Globally, 1 in 5 girls of lower secondary school age is out of school

Source: UNESCO - UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics estimation

---

Girls’ primary school completion rates are below 50% in most poor countries.

Source: UNESCO - UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics estimation PDF

---

Every year, 10 million girls are forced or coerced into marriage.

Source: Bruce, J. and S. Clark (2004), “The Implications of Early Marriage for HIV/AIDS Policy”, Brief based on backgroundpaper prepared for the WHO/UNFPA/Population Council Technical Consultation on Married Adolescents New York

---

Every 3 seconds, another girl is forced or coerced to marry.

Source: Plan’s ‘Breaking Vows: Early and Forced Marriage and Girls’ Education, 2011

---

1 in every 3 girls in the developing world is married by the age of 18.

Source: UNICEF (2011), “The State of the World’s Children 2011, Adolescence: An Age of Opportunity”, New York: UNICEF Population Council.

---

1 in 7 marries before they reach the age of 15.

Source: The Elders (2010), “Child Marriage”.. Accessed 24 May 2011.

---

150 million girls, and 73 million boys, under 18 have experienced rape or other forms of sexual violence.

Source: According to the World Health Organization based on estimates by Andrews, G., et al. 2004. “Child Sexual Abuse,” Chapter 23 in Ezzati, M., et al. 2004. Comparative Quantification of Health Risks: Global and Regional Burden of Disease Attributable to Selected Major Risk Factors. Vol. 2. WHO, Geneva: 1851-1940 and data of the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs for population under 18 years. See WHO. 2006. Global Estimates of Health Consequences due to Violence against Children. Background paper for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children. WHO, Geneva, cited in General Assembly. 2006. Report of the Independent Expert for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children.

---

The leading cause of death for young women aged 15-19 in developing countries is pregnancy.

Source: Because I am a Girl. The State of the World’s Girls 2009. Girls in the Global Economy: Adding It All Up, p.51. London, Plan. World Health Organization WHO, Women and Health

---

An extra year of secondary school increases a girl’s potential income by 15 to 25%.

Source: Psacharopoulous, G. et al. “Returns to Investment in Education: A further Update. Policy Research Working Paper 2881 (Washington, DC: World Bank 2002).

---

Each extra year of a mother’s schooling cuts infant mortality by between 5 and 10%.

Source: Herz, B. And Sperling G. (2004). What Works in Girls’ Education: Evidence and Policies from the Developing World. Council on Foreign Relations: New York

---

An increase of only 1% in girls secondary education attendance, adds 0.3% to a country's GDP.

Source: Plan International (2008) 'Paying the Price, the economic cost of failing to educate girls.

 
Holly Gordon, the Executive Director of 10x10 and Executive Producer of "Girl Rising" will be the Special Guest of Honor and Guest Speaker at the Nigerian Premiere of "Girl Rising" to celebrate the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child on Friday October 11 and also on Saturday October 12, 2013.

Come and join us to celebrate the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child on Friday October 11, 2013. And we are having the big event.
The Nigerian premiere of "Girl Rising", the phenomenal CNN film by 10x10, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Galleria, 133, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
For advance bookings for the tickets for the special screening of "Girl Rising", email: publisher@nigeriansreport.com.

Tweet
 

Holly Gordon Coming to Nigeria for Nigerian Premiere of "Girl Rising"

Holly Gordon of the International Documentary Group and the Executive Director of 10x10, producers of the ground breaking CNN film "Girl Rising" will be joining us in Lagos, for the Nigerian Premiere of "Girl Rising" on Friday October 11 to October 14, 2013.
The Nigerian premiere of "Girl Rising" opens on Friday October 11, 2013, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Intel Corporation and 10x10 aims to end gender inequality through "Girl Rising"

“By sharing the personal stories of these nine girls, 'Girl Rising' illustrates just how important education is in the movement to empower women and girls,” said Holly Gordon, 10x10’s executive director. “In an extension of our partnership with Intel, we are now working to provide decision makers in developing countries with scalable policy solutions to expand gender equity in education. This marks the next step in our commitment to change both minds and policy to positively impact girls’ lives.”

About Holly Gordon, Executive Director of 10X10.

Prior to joining TDG, Holly Gordon was Director of Content for the Tribeca Film Festival, where she managed video collection and production for the 2007 Festival. She was the executive producer of Tribeca Presents: The Best of the Festival, a broadcast highlighting the award-winning films in the 2008 Festival. Before her tenure at the Tribeca Film Festival, Holly spent 12 years at ABC News, where she worked as a producer and booker for the major news broadcasts: World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Good Morning America, 20/20 and Primetime. She was an integral part of ABC’s breaking-news coverage during the weeks following the September 11th attacks. For three years, as Editorial Producer for the ABC News magazine unit, Holly managed the team responsible for identifying and booking national and international stories. Holly graduated from Brown University with a BA in International Relations.

10x10 is a social action organization seeking educational equality for underprivileged girls across the globe. Director Richard Robbins tells the moving stories of several of these girls, with help from some of the most recognizable female voices of today.

There will be a special screening of 'Girl Rising" where Holly Gordon will speak to all leaders of NGOs promoting the education of girls on Saturday October 12,.
It is a ticket event for only 235 seats and the ticket is N2,000 per seat.
For advance bookings, email: publisher@nigeriansreport.com

A portion of "Girl Rising" ticket sales go to support girls’ programs around the world through the 10x10 Fund for Girls’ Education. The Fund is distributed to 10x10’s high-impact network of non-profit partners who are working on the ground: A New Day Cambodia, CARE, Girl Up/United Nations Foundation, Partners in Health, Plan International USA, Room to Read, UNICEF, and World Vision.

For more details, contact:
Publisher/Editor
Nigerians Report Online, http://www.nigeriansreport.com/
Email: publisher@nigeriansreport.com


Tweet

 

New Poll: Parents Remain Gloomy About America's Future While Teens Feel Confident

African American teens. Photo Credit: Your Black World


20 September 2013 12:30 Africa/Lagos


New Poll: Parents Remain Gloomy About America's Future While Teens Feel Confident

American Adults Believe Today's Children Have Fewer Prospects and Opportunities, though Teens Remain Optimistic about the Future, according to the Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New data from the quarterly Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll shows an American public that overwhelmingly believes childhood and parenthood were better for earlier generations, with 79 percent of poll respondents saying it was better to have been a child when they were young.

Watch a live briefing on key findings from the latest Heartland Monitor Poll today at 8:30 a.m. ET, at http://www.nationaljournal.com/events , featuring Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee.


The most recent Heartland Monitor shows that Americans are deeply uncertain about the prospects for today's children. A majority (68 percent) of respondents believe that when today's children are adults, they'll have less financial security, with a poorer chance of holding a steady job and owning a home without too much debt. Almost the same percentage (62 percent) believes their children will have less opportunity to achieve a comfortable retirement. Overall, Heartland XVIII delivers a downbeat vision from parents and non-parents alike, who believe that today's children will display less patriotism, work ethic, and civic responsibility than today's adults.


Yet, in the face of this intense pessimism on the part of adults, teenagers are much more optimistic and clearly feel the older generations have it wrong. For the first time, the Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll also surveyed high school teenagers ages 13-18, and found an optimistic view of the economy: More than half of the teens surveyed (54 percent) say they believe it's better to be a teenager today than it was when their parents were growing up. A plurality (45 percent) believe that when they are their parents' age, they will have more opportunity to get ahead than the previous generation. Just 24 percent of teens say they will have less opportunity.


"The world looks to America as a beacon of hope to realize one's dreams. While we see pessimism in this poll, the younger generation feels a sense of optimism about the future," said Sanjay Gupta, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Allstate. "These findings reinforce a challenging backdrop, but the optimism of the younger generation gives us hope in the enduring American dream."


The 18th quarterly Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll digs into the increased concerns about the country's political direction and the economy. American adults say that opportunities for a quality education, access to health care, fair treatment, adequate play time, and sufficient love and attention are accessible to some, but are not guaranteed for the average American child.


This negative view of the future parallels a noticeable chilling of the national mood, with a high percentage (64 percent) of Americans believing that the country is on the wrong track. President Obama's approval rating has hit a low (40 percent), as has that of Congress (13 percent), since this poll's first installment in April 2009. Almost half of Americans (47 percent) say that the Obama administration's actions decrease the opportunity for them to get ahead, the highest percentage since the poll began asking the question in April 2009. Respondents are relatively split on whether the economy will improve (28 percent), become worse (31 percent), or stay the same (36 percent) over the next 12 months.


In the area of education, more teens than adults consider college a worthy investment. While over half of adult respondents (53 percent) still believe the average four-year college education is a ticket to the middle class, and that a degree helps people get good jobs and build successful careers,  a full 39 percent view college as an economic burden. Teenagers, meanwhile, feel that college is a good investment for the future (86 percent), rather than an unnecessary expense that is not worth it (14 percent).


In other areas of the poll, a large majority (69 percent) of adults polled believe parents are too busy with work and their own personal lives to spend enough time with their children or to give them the attention they need to learn and grow.


"The operative definition of the American Dream is that each generation will live better than its predecessor," added Ronald Brownstein, editorial director of Atlantic Media. "The latest Heartland Monitor survey shows how much the sustained economic slowdown has frayed that expectation among average Americans. While the poll shows that most Americans believe the country is still providing kids with many of the necessary ingredients for success—particularly a quality education—it captures a widespread fear that the economy simply won't provide as many opportunities to future generations as Americans remember from when they were young."


Key findings from the 18th Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll are also available via PDF.  Additional information on the entire polling series can be found at: http://www.theheartlandvoice.com/category/insights.


Key Findings
1. Americans overwhelmingly believe that today's children and parents are facing more difficulties and challenges than previous generations.

• 79 percent of Americans believe it was better to have been a child when they were young while just 16 percent of American adults believe it is better to be a child in America today.
• 75 percent believe it was better to be a parent when they were growing up, while just 19 percent of Americans think it is better to be a parent in America today.
• This sentiment is remarkably consistent across demographic lines, including age, education, and income.
  • More than half of teens surveyed (54 percent) say it's better to be a teenager today than it was when their parents were growing up (46 percent).
  • Teens are less positive about the state of parenthood today - 40 percent think it is better to be a parent today than it was when their own parents were growing up (60 percent).
  • Overall, Americans overwhelmingly believe that today's children face more challenges (66 percent) than opportunities (25 percent).

2. Looking forward, Americans remain concerned about opportunities and achievement for the next generation.

• Just 20 percent of Americans believe that today's children will have more opportunity to get ahead when they are grown, compared to 45 percent who fear that today's children will have less opportunity, and 30 percent believe they will have about the same level.
  • Today, fewer Americans believe their children will have more opportunities to get ahead than did so a year ago. In September 2012, the Heartland Monitor showed that 32 percent of Americans believed the next generation will have more opportunities, while 32 percent believed they will have less.
• Young adults ages 18-29 are the most optimistic, but just 31 percent believe that today's children will have more opportunity when they are grown, a 12-point decline since last September.
• Today's teens are more hopeful about their future opportunities, with 45 percent believing they will have more opportunity than their parents had, 24 percent believing they will have less opportunity.
• Thinking about the achievements and activities of their own generation, Americans believe today's children will not quite measure up on a number of factors:
  • 68 percent think that today's children will have less financial security;
  • 65 percent think they will have less patriotism and pride in their country;
  • 63 percent think they will have less work ethic and professional motivation;
  • 62 percent think they will have less financial freedom and the ability to afford luxuries;
  • 53 percent think they will have less financial responsibility;
  • 48 percent think they will have less civic and community responsibility.

3. Americans are conflicted on policy approaches related to the cost of raising children and college education.

• When considering the idea of shared societal responsibility and sacrifice as it relates to assisting parents and children, a slight majority of Americans express hesitation about asking businesses and non-parents to contribute too much.
  • 51 percent believe that "while the country should be supportive of children and young families, raising those children is the responsibility of the parents." 
  • 42 percent think that "the entire country has a shared responsibility to invest more in children and young families."
• When told the average cost of cost of raising a child totals more than $240,000:
  • 60 percent say that the best approach to making parenting more affordable is "lowering taxes."
  • 34 percent prefer "increasing public spending" on programs like pre-K, public education, child care, health care and college tuition.
• More than half of Americans see college as a ticket to the middle class (53 percent) rather than an economic burden (39 percent).
• Teenagers overwhelmingly believe that college is "a good investment for the future" (86 percent) rather than an "unnecessary expense that is not worth it" (14 percent).
• Fewer than half of parents with school-age children think it's realistic that they will be able to pay for college education for themselves or their children.

4. This poll shows a decline in the American political environment and a fading confidence in President Obama and the economy.

• Just a quarter of Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction, a slippage from the 30 percent we measured in May/June. Half of Democrats (50 percent) and only 45 percent of African-Americans now believe things are headed in the right direction.
• President Obama's job approval sits at 40 percent, down from 48 percent in May/June and the lowest we've measured across 18 Heartland Monitor polls.
• Just 13 percent approve of the job Congress is doing, even lower than the 17 percent we measured in May/June.
• 47 percent of Americans now believe that the Obama administration will decrease opportunity for people like them to get ahead. This is the high-water mark for this measure of pessimism, up from 43 percent in April and 40 percent in May/June.
• Just 28 percent believe the economy will improve 12 months from now, the lowest we've measured from 44 percent last November to 34 percent in April and 37 percent in May/June.

5. Americans continue to occupy a "middle ground" between optimism and concern regarding their personal financial situation.

• 44 percent rate their own personal financial situation as excellent or good, compared to 49 percent in May/June 2013.
• 43 percent expect their financial situation to improve by this time next year, a slight decline from 47 percent in May/June but notably higher than the 36 percent measured in April 2013.
•  

Survey Methodology
Since April 2009, the quarterly Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Polls have explored American attitudes on the changing economy. The most recent Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor poll was conducted by FTI Consulting, from September 3-7, 2013 among N=1,000 American adults age 18+ reached via landline and cell phone as well as an online survey of American teenagers age 13-17 and 18 year olds still in high school. The margin of error for the N=1,000 telephone sample is +/- 3.1 percent.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com, www.allstate.com/financial and 1-800 Allstate^®, and are widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®." As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $29 million in 2012 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

About National Journal
National Journal is Washington's premier source for 360-degree insight on politics and policy. With up-to-the-minute breaking news and analysis at NationalJournal.com, the essential intelligence of National Journal Daily, the knowledge and depth of National Journal magazine, and the comprehensive campaign coverage of National Journal Hotline, National Journal delivers everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve in Washington.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With over 3,900 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The Company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.

SOURCE The Allstate Corporation

CONTACT: Media Inquiries: Matthew Clark, FTI Consulting, 202-728-8766, matthew.clark@fticonsulting.com; Kate Hollcraft, Allstate Insurance Company, 847-402-5600, Kate.hollcraft@allstate.com; Natalie Raabe, The Atlantic, 202-266-7533, nraabe@theatlantic.com; Emma Angerer, National Journal, 202-266-7405, eangerer@nationaljournal.com
Web Site: http://www.allstate.com

Tweet

 

The African Film Festival of Cordoba, 10 Years Breaking Stereotypes

Córdoba, 20th September 2013.
The African Film Festival of Cordoba-FCAT returns from the 11th to the 19th of October in order to celebrate its 10th anniversary, striving for the contribution to a better understanding of the neighbouring continent through its film culture. In this tenth edition – the second one in Cordoba after eight years in Tarifa (Cadiz) –, Cordoba cements its place as the only Spanish platform showcasing African and Middle Eastern cinemas.

FCAT Cordoba, organised by the NGOD Al Tarab with the sponsorship of the City Council of Cordoba, Magtel Corp. and Instituto Halal, will screen during one week over 66 films from or on Africa made by 31 different countries. This will be completed by a series of activities implying all audiences and professionals, spread across the city.

The mayor of Cordoba, José Antonio Nieto, has highlighted in the press conference that the FCAT Cordoba “is not a festival seeking for glamour, the yellow press or the big stars”. Instead it aims at “reinforcing the relation between the city of Cordoba and Africa, which is very close geographically speaking but very far away in our mind and heart”.

“Sometimes”, he has added, “it is a good idea to be directly exposed to Africa in order to better understand”, and this is possible through a festival like this. The achievement of organising this event has been quite hard, however, it presents even more quality than the last edition, which already engaged an audience composed of over 13,000 spectators. “This festival places Cordoba at the centre of the world of African and Arab cinema”.

Mane Cisneros, Director of the festival, has claimed that the FCAT makes its tenth anniversary with a more limited budget – 200,000€ instead the 270,000€ of the last edition -. However, “this austerity does not hamper the professionalism and quality of the cultural proposal”.

Cisneros has anticipated that there will be a strong presence of North African young filmmakers, “who have already had the time to take into perspective what has been going on in this area”, in relation to the so-called ‘Arab Spring’. She has also insisted on the high number of premiers at the festival, since “fortunately or unfortunately, we keep struggling to convince Spanish distributors that these cinemas can have a commercial release in our country”.


Love for cinema
For the celebration of its tenth anniversary, the African Film Festival of Cordoba has organised a special retrospective film category. It works as a review of over fifty years of African cinemas, consisting on a selection of 10 films revolving about love.

The category, named ’10 Fragments of an African Discourse on Love” is not just an anthropologic analysis on love practices and desire manifestations in Africa, but also, a whole statement of intentions by the FCAT organisation. This is the year for the 10th anniversary since a collective of people shared their love for African cinemas under the shape of a film festival, becoming hence a unique initiative in Spain.

The festival programme is divided into eight sections, being three of them competitive. The three competitive categories, The African Dream (feature length films), On the Other Side of the Strait (documentary films) and Africa in Short (feature and documentary short films) will include a total number of 27 titles.

In addition to this, the non-competitive categories are Pandora’s Box (films on Africa made by Western filmmakers), Africa in Rhythm (on African dance and music), Carte Blanche to the EDOC (taking as to the International Festival of Documentary Film of Quito through a selection of five films on afrodescendants) and the already mentioned 10 Fragments of an African Discourse on Love. Finally, there will be a series of special sessions to be added to these two official and non-official selections.

The 10th African Film Festival of Cordoba will bring to the cinemas of the capital a selective show comprising 31 different countries. It is worth mentioning the strong participation of North African titles, made in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia; as well as that of sub-Saharan titles, with film productions from Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa, one of the most established film industries in the continent.

Similarly there will be non African countries represented, including, Germany, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, United States, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Portugal, Qatar, Dem. Rep. Congo, Trinidad and Tobago.

Cinema as an industry
One again, FCAT Espacio Profesional is aimed at the promotion of mutual knowledge and the collaboration among the professionals of this field in Africa, Spain and beyond. The professionals involved will meet from the 15th to the 18th October at Casa Árabe, during the 5th Forum ‘África Produce’ and a series of conferences and round tables. An additional element to be considered is the Film Appetizers, a more informal environment of discussion among filmmakers, journalists, audiences, and thus a great opportunity to discuss in-depth the films included in the competitive categories of the festival.

Among the parallel activities at FCAT, a special mention lies on the organisation of the course-workshop on Film Criticism for young professionals. This workshop offers an introduction to the theory and practice of Film Criticism and Cultural Communications, and is conducted by the acclaimed film reviewer Alfonso Crespo, with invited experts as tutors, such as Beatriz Leal Riesco and Olivier Barlet, among others.

Parallel Activities
FCAT Cordoba is not just about the venues for the screening of films, as the wide range of parallel activities shows. There will be a story-teller during the afternoons, screenings in different municipalities, a photography exhibition by Javier Hirschfeld called Malagorée: de puerto a puerto. Arte malagueño de ida y vuelta [Malagorée: from port to port. Art from Málaga to go and return], and meetings with different NGOs in the city.

An innovative aspect of this edition, if the involvement of the volunteering team, composed of eighty people. They have been organising activities prior to the festival, such as the educational sessions, the screening of a video made by them in the centre of under-eighteen people and the meeting of volunteers with entrepreneurs.

Venues of the festival
The venues where the festival will take place are Teatro Góngora, Casa Áraba, Vimcorsa, the cultural centre Rey Heredia Veintidós and Instituto Andaluz de la Juventud (Andalusian Youth Institute).

Tickets sale
This year, the tickets to the screenings can be purchased at the tickets box office of the different venues, which will open to the audience one hour prior to the screening. Additionally, there will be three kinds of ticket deals – one-day pass, festival pass, and discounted pass for students, unemployed and people aged over 65. All passes will be available for sale at the tickets box office of Teatro Góngora. The festival pass will also be available for sale at Fuentes Guerra.

Private sponsors
The enterprise from Cordoba, Magtel, which has been working in Africa for years, is part of the sponsors of FCAT Cordoba. Another private sponsor is Halal Institute, an entity that manages the guaranteed brand Halal for products and services for enterprises and entities aimed at audiences practising Islam, in Spain, the UE and for the exportation of Andalusian and Spanish to Muslim countries. FCAT Cordoba will also count on the economic support of Maya Real, a Catalan enterprise focused on cultural projects.

The Counsellor of Magtel, Isidro López Magdaleno, has informed during the press conference that the enterprise has been in Africa for years, with an office in Casablanca (Morocco). He will be sponsoring the Award of the festival. “It is a honour to help the festival” for the first time, and “hopefully it will not be the last one”, he has added.
Isabel Romero, Director of Halal Institute, has stated through their symbolic support, the enterprise is trying to “contribute and create further synergies for the promotion of links with our closest neighbours”.

DOSSIER DE PRENSA
http://www.fcat.es/descargas/Press_Dossier_English.pdf

POSTER FCAT CORDOBA 2013
http://goo.gl/exRXNo

VIDEO MAKING OFF FCAT POSTER:
http://goo.gl/kBawCu

PRESS REQUESTS:
http://www.fcat.es/FCAT/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=421&Itemid=11


National Media Office:
María José Martín
Tel.: +34 659 80 88 16
gabineteprensa@fcat.es

International Media Office:
Estrella Sendra
Tel.: +34 667 39 26 13
media@fcat.es

Tweet

 

10TH Abuja Internatronal Film Festival Focuses on National Security

 

Opening Ceremony Programme:

Venue: Silverbird Cinemas Abuja, Date: 24th September, 2013
Screenings : 9am - 5pm

Red Carpet: 5pm -6pm
National Anthem: 6.05pm
Introduction of Dignitaries:  6.10 – 6.20pm
Welcome Address By: Festival Director :6.25 – 6.35pm
Keynote by DG SEC Ms. Aruma Otteh : 6.35 – 6.50pm
Keynote Address by Hon Min of Culture & Tourism High Chief Edem Duke: 6.50 – 7.20pm
Declaring Open the Film Festival by Hon Minister of FCT Senator Bala Mohammed CON – 7.20 – 7.30pm
Goodwill Messages: 7.30 – 7.50pm
Cutting of the 10th Anniversary CAKE: 7.50 – 8.00pm
Opening Nite Short Film:  8.00pm – 8.30pm
Vote of Thanks/Close:  8.30pm 

 10TH ABUJA INT'L FILM FESTIVAL - 2013 NOMINEES LIST

Best Feature Film(Foreign)
1. Storm Warriors-China,
2. Agnus Dei- Kosovo,
3. Andalusia my love-Morocco,
4. Sunnyside-Bulgaria,
5. Sujet-Canada.

Best Short Film(NIG)
1. Scandalous Mercy-Peter Thompson,
2. Paradox-Desmond Elliot,
3. Ogondah- Williis Ikedum.
4. Survival-Seun Oloketuyi.

Best Short Film(Foreign).
1.Malice&Pencils-Uk/Nig ,
2.Francois First Day- France,
3.D Dock of Destiny-Morocco,
4, Growing Up- Abu Dhabi.

Best Documentary Film.
1.D Phoenicians-Malta,
2.D Court-Germany,
3.Rolling Dollar-Nig.,
4.D Truth Be Told-Nig. ,
5.Daughters of Niger Delta- Nig.
 

Best Experimental Film -
1.Jand Hustle - Ehizojie Ojesebholo,
2.Dread- Agbo Kelly,
3.Patroit- Agbo Kelly,
4.I-Games- Alexandra Hull.

 

Best Animation Film.
1.Romance of Woodman Liu Hiu-Çhina.
2.Protect Us-Nigeria
3. Reality 2.0 - Germany.

Best Feature Film (NIG).
1. Aiyekoto- Adebayo Tijani,
2. Next President- Desmond Elliot,
3. TORN-Moses Inwang,
4. When Dreams Fall Apart-Chico Ejiro,
5. Save D Children-Magnus Edet,
6. Brothers Keeper-Ikechuchwu Onyeka,
7. Lies Men Tell- Uche Jumbo.

Outstanding Comic film :
1. The Nanny(Nig),
2. A Wish(Nig),
3. Francois First Day(France),
4. Lost on Journey(China),
5. scandalous mercy(Nig).

Outstanding Male Act.
1.Blossom Chukwujeku - Finding Mercy,
2.Desmond Elliot-Lies Men Tell.
3.Prince Ossei- Off the Hook,
4.Majid Mitchel -Brothers Keeper,
5.Chester Osagie- Mission To Mamuro,
6. Odunlade Adekola- Mufu Olosa Oko

 

Outstanding Female Act:.
1.Uche Jumbo-Lies Men Tell,
2.Charity Ofem- Save the Children,
3. Banke Amole- Adams-Mission To Mamuro,
4. Jackie Appiah-Off The Hook,
5. Omoni Oboli- Blue Flames.

Outstanding Film in Directing-:
1.Aiyekoto(Nig)
2.Pencils&Malice(UK/NIG)
3.Brothers Keeper(Nig)
4. Next. President(Nig)
5.Line of Sight(Jordan)
6. Storm Warriors(China).
 

Golden Jury Award :
1.Brothers Keeper(Nig)
2.Next President(Nig)
3.Malice&Pencils(UK)
4.Storm Warriors(China)
5.The Phoenicians(Malta)

 

Tweet