Big Brother Africa Season 6 Housemates

Big Brother Amplified 1

The Season 6 of the incredibly popular Big Brother Africa has been Amplified. Running 91 days and 24/7 with a dream grand prize of USD 200 000, this season of Africa’s biggest reality show will include more of the drama, the emotion, the excitement and the suspense that have made the series a firm fan favourite. The following are all the 26 lucky Housemates who made the final list from the thousands who applied from all over sub Saharan Africa.

Alex
Alex
Age: 31
Hometown: Accra , Ghana
Occupation: Unemployed / Designer
Biography: Alex once worked in the fashion district in New York and believes in empowerment of the individual. He says that he wanted to be in Big Brother Africa because he believes he “can bring it home for Ghana ”. He is confident that Africa will like him, and his recreational activities include video gaming and designing.

Bernadina
Bernadina
Age: 21
Hometown: Keetmanshoop , Namibia
Occupation: Construction
Biography: Her favourite place in Namibia is Rehoboth because “it’s a nice party place”. Bernadina says that if she wins the game, she’ll give a share of the money to a lady who is establishing an organization that helps children improve their reading skills.

Bhoke
Bhoke
Age: 26
Hometown: Dar es Salaam , Tanzania
Occupation: TV Broadcaster
Biography: Bhoke says having being selected to be part of Big Brother Amplified is her greatest achievement so far. She says viewers should keep an eye on her because she is unpredictable, fun, will keep them guessing and she’s a great person to be around.

Confidence
Confidence
Age: 37
Hometown: Accra
Occupation: CEO of MultiMedia Company / Owner Aphrodisiac Nightclub
Biography: This adventurous daredevil loves Angelina Jolie, soup or stew, and throwing parties at her house. Confidence would love to turn out like her role model aunt who, she believes, is “sexy, strong and principled”. Whilst in the game, she will miss her son, and two dogs the most.

Danny
Danny
Age: 34
Hometown: Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
Occupation: Self Employed
Biography: Describing himself as cool, adventurous and funny, Danny believes that “when life flips you upside down, stand still” – good advice given to him by a friend. Although surprised to have been chosen to participate in Big Brother, Danny says if he wins, he will use the money to start his dream business. When he goes into the Big Brother house Danny admits the thing he will miss most is his freedom and friends.

Ernest
Ernest
Age: 28
Hometown: Kampala , Uganda
Occupation: Public Relations Consultant
Biography: Ernest looks up to his role model, Diddy because, he explains: “it’s easy to see how a man who can’t really dance or sing has made himself into a world-class brand that is bankable and desirable”. He admits that he can be “a little annoying” when he chooses to push people’s buttons.

Felicia
Felicia
Age: 24
Hometown: Lilongwe , Malawi
Occupation: Purchaser
Biography: Felicia is in a relationship and has a four year old child. Given the opportunity, Felicia would like to visit Japan right now to feel the impact of the Tsunami and offer support to victims of the recent natural disaster. She entered Big Brother Amplified to represent her country, to do her part in making her country proud and to change her life and the lives of many others.

Hanni
Hanni
Age: 22
Hometown: Addis Ababa
Occupation: Singer and Student
Biography: Hanni is a 5th year Law student with a passion for Reggae. She says she entered Big Brother Amplified because she feels she is at a point in her life where she feels she wants to learn more about herself. She says audiences should watch her on Big Brother because she is “honest, funny and interesting”.

Jossy
Jossy
Age: 28
Hometown: Windhoek , Namibia
Occupation: Recording Artist / Marketing, Sales and Ad Manager
Biography: The multi-lingual Jossy concedes his worst habit is cleaning and keeping everything in order. Though he entered Big Brother by accident, he will continue to surprise. The best advice he has ever received is: “Never envy those that are living a good life and rather learn from them to get there as well.”

Karen
Karen
Age: 27
Hometown: Jos , Nigeria
Occupation: Unemployed
Biography: Born in Jos, Karen lists her mother as her role model. She likes people who are similar to her: fun and happy, and dislikes people who are boring, fake and dishonest. Karen relaxes by “chilling with friends” and would love to visit Spain because “it is sunny, beautiful and exotic”.

Kim
Kim
Age: 25
Hometown: Livingstone , Zambia
Occupation: Beautician
Biography: Kim confesses she adores “cute boys” like Chris Brown and “fab ladies” like Beyonce. She wants viewers to watch her on the show because she is “real, fresh and fab”. If she wins, she will help in the fight against Cancer in Zambia , help her sisters with their education and boost her media and Cosmetology career.

Lomwe
Lomwe
Age: 27
Hometown: Blantyre , Malawi
Occupation: Radio and Club DJ
Biography: Lomwe, reckons he is handsome and lives like according to the following mantra: “ride till the wheels fall off”. He hopes his charisma and great sense of humour will help him win the USD200 000, so he can open his own radio station at home in Malawi .

Lotus
Lotus
Age: 24
Hometown: Dar es Salaam , Tanzania
Occupation: TV Presenter
Biography: Lotus’s happiest memory is falling in love for the first time. She likes spending time with fun people who like to enjoy life and dislikes “people who are in their heads”. Lotus, who is also a dancer and choreographer, regards herself as quite a trend-setter. Her worst habit: “using too much toilet paper!”

Luclay
Luclay
Age: 28
Hometown: Cape Town
Occupation: Actor / Acting Coach
Biography: Luclay is an actor and acting coach born in Cape Town , his favourite place in South Africa . He says he is “inspired by people who live within their means and are happy with their inheritance on this planet”. He says his mom and cousin are his role models, because “they have dedicated their lives to helping everyone around them”.

Michael
Michael
Age: 32
Hometown: Maputo , Mozambique
Occupation: Hairdresser
Biography: Michael, who counts his father and Denzel Washington as his role models, entered Big Brother Amplified because he wanted to have fun and experience different cultures. He enjoys spending time with quiet people and good listeners and encourages viewers to watch him because he has a lot to share with the audience. His pet peeves: Gossipers and aggressive people.

Millicent
Millicent
Age: 28
Hometown: Nairobi , Kenya
Occupation: Actress
Biography: Talkative and passionate, Millicent loves spending time with open-minded people. She can hold a conversation in French, English and Swahili and describes herself as having a great sense of humour. The young Nollywood actress is all about empowering girls and loves watching cartoons and Soapies.

Mumba
Mumba
Age: 24
Hometown: Lusaka
Occupation: Radio DJ
Biography: Mumba is a radio DJ and “happily single”. She is most proud of getting her Diploma in Journalism and says the hardest thing she ever had to do was to “let go of the past”. Mumba entered Big Brother Amplified for one reason: “I really, really want the money!” She says if she wins she’ll splash out on a new luxury German sedan coupe, a house and “so much more”.

Nic
Nic
Age: 26
Hometown: Nairobi
Occupation: Television Producer
Biography: The happily single Nic calls himself “cheeky, spontaneous, funny, intelligent and a good listener”. He also admits to being bit of a flirt, and reckons this will definitely get the viewers’ attention when they tune in to watch the “crazy” guy from Kenya .

Nkuli
Nkuli
Age: 23
Hometown: Student
Occupation: Johannesburg
Biography: Romance novel lover, Nkuli, doesn’t have a role model, because she explains: “believing in being the best me I can be, and not trying to be like someone else is the best thing I can do for myself”. Once inside the house she says: “I believe I will think of the outside world – but miss it? Not much, because the house is where my mind will be.”

Miss P
“Miss P” – Peo
Age: 24
Hometown: Gaborone , Botswana
Occupation: Freelance, Communications
Biography: Miss P is passionate about charity work and the fight against AIDS in Botswana . When she was in high school, she helped start clubs to raise awareness for both causes. Her special talent is “being a warm person – I’ve always been able to make people feel at home and safe with me,” she says.

Sharon
Sharon O
Age: 25
Hometown: Kampala , Uganda
Occupation: Artist / Musician
Biography: Sharon O is a free spirited, ambitious hard worker, who is friendly and reserved at the same time. Her personal motto is “work hard to achieve a comfortable life”. She loves looking at the calming Nile when in Jinja ( Uganda ) and would love to go to Vegas one day.

Vimbai
Vimbai
Age: 24
Hometown: Harare , Zimbabwe
Occupation: Model
Biography: With a Social Sciences degree and fluency in French and Basic Serbian, Vimbai is a force to be reckoned with. She entered Big Brother to re-launch her modeling and entertainment career on an African platform. If she wins the show, she’ll invest her winnings in her country and donate some to charity.

Vina
Vina
Age: 26
Hometown: Lagos , Nigeria
Occupation: Radio Presenter
Biography: Vina, describes her personality as “amplified” and dislikes people who are lazy, unfriendly and think they are better than others. She’s confident of her chances on the show and promises she will be outrageous.

Wendall
Wendall
Age: 23
Hometown: Harare
Occupation: Pilot
Biography: Wendall is a pilot and his motto is “you win some, you lose some”. While he jokes that he doesn’t have any specific special talents, he also says “you never know what might come out on a crazy night in the house!”

Weza
Weza
Age: 26
Hometown: Luanda , Angola
Occupation: TV Presenter, Model
Biography: She is super social and likes spending time with happy, fun, straight forward people, although she admits her bad habit is that she talks too much. She is currently single, and says she will miss her family when she goes into the House. Her favourite place in Angola is Luanda .

Zeus
Zeus
Age: 24
Hometown: Gaborone , Botswana
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Artist, Marketer
Biography: This Hip-Hop star has been in a relationship for two years, but he’s determined to use the time in the House to polish his social skills and establish a deeper connection with himself.
Although music is his first love, he has a Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree.

Cannes celebrates “Bollywood – The Greatest Love Story Ever Told”

Cannes celebrates “Bollywood – The Greatest Love Story Ever Told”

The 64th Cannes Film Festival will celebrate the best of Bollywood as the legendary Shekhar Kapoor’s Bollywood-The Greatest Love Story Ever Told will be screened out of competition during the festival which opens on the 11th of May and ends on the 22nd of May, 2011.

Bollywood at Cannes

The feature highlights the most beautiful moments in the history of Indian musical films, with all the glitz and razzmatazz of Hindi panorama. Shekhar Kapoor, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
and
Jeff Zimbalist will recall the unforgettable vistas of the classics of Bollywood paying tribute to the most romantic cinema in the world that has made Mumbai one of the capitals of film world.

“We love it. We hate it. We see it as regressive. We see it as modern. We need to breathe it to feel alive. Some say it is the only culture that holds India together. Some say it gives identity and individuality to 25 million Indians that have left her shores and who’s third generations that are still addicted to it. That’s Bollywood!” said the organizers of the 64th Cannes Film Festival.

Bollywood at Cannes 1

Nollywood Cinemas: The Largest Cinema Chain Launches In Nigeria

Nollywood Cinemas the largest cinema chain in Africa launches in over 23 states in Nigeria. Nollywood Cinemas is the master plan of Diamond Pictures to bring cinemas to every community in every local government area in Nigeria to boost the Nigerian Film Industry. Nollywood Cinemas has 6 cinema halls in Lagos where local and foreign movies are already playing.

Nollywood Cinemas

64th Cannes Film Festival Opening Film and Official Selection

The 64th Cannes Film Festival opens with Woody Allen’s latest romantic comedy “Midnight in Paris” on May 11, 2011.
The following is the complete list of the opening film and the Official Selection.

64th Cannes Film Festival poster

Woody ALLEN MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Out of Competition) 1h40

midnight-in-paris-movie

Competition
Pedro ALMODÓVAR LA PIEL QUE HABITO 2h00

Bertrand BONELLO L’APOLLONIDE – SOUVENIRS DE LA MAISON CLOSE 2h02

Alain CAVALIER PATER 1h45

Joseph CEDAR HEARAT SHULAYIM
(Footnote) 1h45

Nuri Bilge CEYLAN BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU’DA
(Once upon a time in Anatolia) 2h30

Jean-Pierre et Luc DARDENNE LE GAMIN AU VÉLO 1h27

Aki KAURISMÄKI LE HAVRE 1h43

Naomi KAWASE HANEZU NO TSUKI 1h31

Julia LEIGH SLEEPING BEAUTY – 1st film – 1h44

MAÏWENN POLISSE 2h01

Terrence MALICK THE TREE OF LIFE 2h18

Radu MIHAILEANU LA SOURCE DES FEMMES 2h15

Takashi MIIKE ICHIMEI
(Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samuraï) 2h06

Nanni MORETTI HABEMUS PAPAM 1h42

Lynne RAMSAY WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN 1h50

Markus SCHLEINZER MICHAEL – 1st film – 1h34

Paolo SORRENTINO THIS MUST BE THE PLACE 1h58

Lars VON TRIER MELANCHOLIA 2h10

Nicolas WINDING REFN DRIVE 1h35

Un Certain Regard
Gus VAN SANT RESTLESS – Opening Film – 1h31

Bakur BAKURADZE THE HUNTER 1h50

Andreas DRESEN HALT AUF FREIER STRECKE 1h35

Bruno DUMONT HORS SATAN 1h50

Sean DURKIN MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE – 1st film – 1h41

Robert GUÉDIGUIAN LES NEIGES DU KILIMANDJARO 1h47

Oliver HERMANUS SKOONHEID 1h38

HONG Sangsoo THE DAY HE ARRIVES 1h19

Cristián JIMÉNEZ BONSÁI
(Bonsaï) 1h42

Eric KHOO TATSUMI 1h34

KIM Ki-duk ARIRANG 1h40

Nadine LABAKI ET MAINTENANT ON VA OÚ ? 1h50

Catalin MITULESCU LOVERBOY 1h35

NA Hong-jin YELLOW SEA 2h20

Gerardo NARANJO MISS BALA 1h53

Juliana ROJAS,
Marco DUTRA TRABALHAR CANSA – 1st film – 1h40

Pierre SCHOELLER L’EXERCICE DE L’ETAT 1h55

Ivan SEN TOOMELAH 1h46

Joachim TRIER OSLO, AUGUST 31ST 1h35

Out of Competition
Xavier DURRINGER LA CONQUÊTE 1h45

Jodie FOSTER THE BEAVER 1h40

Michel
HAZANAVICIUS THE ARTIST 1h40

Rob MARSHALL PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:
ON STRANGER TIDES 2h20

Midnight Screenings
CHAN Peter Ho-Sun WU XIA 2h00

Everardo GOUT DIAS DE GRACIA – 1st film – 2h13

Special Screnings
Frederikke ASPÖCK LABRADOR – 1st film – 1h30

Rithy PANH LE MAÎTRE DES FORGES DE L’ENFER 1h45

Michael RADFORD MICHEL PETRUCCIANI 1h30

Christian ROUAUD TOUS AU LARZAC 2h00

Cinéfondation

ARAMISOVA
FAMU, Czech Republic CAGEY TIGERS 23′

Nathanael CARTON
NYU Asia, Singapore SUU ET UCHIKAWA
(Suu and Uchikawa) 11’

Simão CAYATTE
Columbia University, USA A VIAGEM
(The Trip) 19’

Anat COSTI
Bezalel Academy, Israel BEFETACH BEITY
(On My Doorstep) 6’

D. Jesse DAMAZO,
Joe BOOKMAN
University of Iowa, USA THE AGONY AND SWEAT OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT 15’

Pieter DIRKX
Sint-Lukas University, Belgium BENTO MONOGATARI
(Lunchbox Story) 27’

Doroteya DROUMEVA
dffb, Germany DER BRIEF
(The Letter) 30’

Alice FURTADO
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil DUELO ANTES DA NOITE
(Duel Before Nightfall) 20’

Kamal LAZRAQ
La fémis, France DRARI 39’

Mariano LUQUE
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina SALSIPUEDES 44’

Gastón MARGOLIN, Martín MORGENFELD
Universidad del Cine, Argentina LA FIESTA DE CASAMIENTO
(The Wedding Party) 19’

Pasquale MARINO
Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, Italy L’ESTATE CHE NON VIENE
(Till Summer Comes) 17’

Jefferson MONEO
Columbia University, USA BIG MUDDY 15’

Ma’ayan RYPP
Tel Aviv University, Israel AL MARTHA LAUF
(Martha Must Fly) 26′

SON Tae-gyum
Chung-Ang University,
South Korea YA-GAN-BI-HANG
(Fly by Night) 21′

Maria STEINMETZ
HFF ”Konrad Wolf”, Germany DER WECHSELBALG
(Changeling) 8’

Amaka Igwe presents two week film making Workshop for Nollywood

The Centre for Excellence in Film and Media Studies and Amaka Igwe Studios present a
2week Screenwriting, Producing and Directing Workshop. Classes hold on Mondays to
Fridays only and commence on the 9th of May, 2011.

For screenwriting, some of the courses to be covered include; Who’s a Screenwriter?,
Script appreciation, Finding the Story, The Film story, Story Development, Dialogue
, Writing for film and writing for Television, Characterisation, Plot and Conflict
and Understanding Genres.

For Producing; Who is a producer? ,What is producing?, Breaking down a script,
Shooting on time and budget, working with a director and crew, production project
management. Creative producing, fundraising, Sponsorship and strategy.

For directing; Who is a Director?, Shot by Shot, Casting , Grammar of Directing,
Planning the Shoot, Handling Cast and Crew, Geography of Shots, Shot Composition,
Blocking and Choreography, Camera Placement, Directing Talent, Shooting for Edit.

All those specializing in screenwriting will be expected to complete the screenplay
for a short film during the workshop.

 

Those for directing will be expected to shoot a short film.

Workshop fee is N50, 000 and this covers training materials, tea/coffee break and
lunch.

Workshop is open to only 25 participants.

The team of facilitators will be led by Amaka Igwe.

For further information please call 08030833769, or come to 44A Palm Avenue, MKO
Abiola Gardens, Alausa ikeja Lagos.

Bernardo Bertolucci will receive the inaugural honorary Palme d’Or

Bernardo-Bertolucci

Celebrated Italian director and screenwriter Bernardo Bertolucci is going to receive the inaugural honorary Palme d’Or award at the opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday May 11, 2011.

Bertolucci is famous for his films Last Tango in Paris and The Last Emperor that won 9 Academy Awards in 1988.

President Gilles Jacob said Bertolucci deserves to be “the first legitimate recipient”, because of the outstanding quality of his films spanning many decades. He has directed “intimate Italian cinema masterpieces as monumental frescoes”.

The press statement noted that “His political and social involvement, driven by a profound lyricism and an elegant and accurate direction, gives his films a unique place in the history of world cinema”.

The honorary Palme d’Or been presented on an ad hoc basis to directors such as Woody Allen and Clint Eastwood. And will now be annually given to “an important film-maker whose work is authoritative”, but who had never won the Palme d’Or.

The 2011 Cannes Film Festival opens on 11 May with Woody Allen’s latest film, Midnight in Paris.

Stars at 2011 African Movie Academy Awards

The 7th edition of the prestigious annual African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) was a grand event on Sunday night March 27, 2011 with the constellation of Nollywood stars and icons and the leading stars of African movies, stars from Hollywood were among the special guests and other dignitaries gracing the colourful red carpet. The following photographs are from the photo album of the event.

AMAA 2011 Peace Anyiam-Osigwe


Photographs:

Best Young Actor, ASA Drama School actor Edward Kagutuzi, star of “Mirror Boy”
Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, CEO of African Movie Academy Awards
The hosts Nollywood stars Jim Iyke and Nse Ikpe Etim
Olu Jacobs, a highly esteemed Nigerian actor and Nollywood pioneer
Tee Mac, Accomplished Nigerian musician and composer performing on stage
Nollywood diva Kate Henshaw-Nuttal
Nollywood diva Rita Dominic on the red carpet
Nollywood star actress Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha looking so radiant in her evening gown
Top Nigerian award winning filmmaker Kunle Aolayan
Top Ghanaian actor Michel Majid striking a pose
Michel Majid
Top Nigerian journalist and film critic Steve Ayorinde and a VIP
Hakeem Kae-Kazim

A female entertainer on stage

The Festival de Cannes honours Jean-Paul Belmondo

jean-paul-belmondo

The Festival de Cannes honours Jean-Paul Belmondo

The Festival de Cannes will welcome Jean-Paul Belmondo on Tuesday 17 May with a special evening held in his honour.

“We are delighted that he has agreed to attend this gala evening in celebration of his talent and career. His range and personal charisma, the precision of his acting, his cocky wit, the ease with which he carries himself have made him, along with Jean Gabin and Michel Simon, one of the greatest French actors of all time (…).

Viva Riva reigns at 7th Annual African Movie Academy Awards

The thrilling Congolese gangster epic movie “Viva Riva” outshined competitors to win 6 awards from 12 nominations at the 7th Annual African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Sunday night at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Viva poster

Riva is a small time operator who has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo after a decade away with a major score: a fortune in hijacked gasoline. Wads of cash in hand and out for a good time, Riva is soon entranced by beautiful night club denizen Nora, the kept woman of a local gangster. Into the mix comes an Angolan crime lord relentlessly seeking the return of his stolen shipment of gasoline. Director Djo Tunda Wa Munga’s Kinshasa is a seductively vibrant, lawless, fuel-starved sprawl of shantytowns, gated villas, bordellos and nightclubs and Riva is its perfect embodiment.
~ From South by South

The film by Congolese director Djo Tunda Wa Munga won the awards for Best Film and Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design.
The Ghanaian film “Sinking Sands” won 3 awards, for the Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Make-up.
“Aramotu” won awards for Best Nigerian Film and Best Costume Design.

The Best Actor Award went to Themba Ndaba of South Africa for his role in “Hopeville” and the Best Young Actor was Edward Kagutuzi for “Mirror Boy”.

It was another disappointing AMAA for Nollywood diva Genevieve Nnaji whose role in Tango With Me was not good enough to beat Amake Abebrese of Ghana who won the Best Actress award for her role in “Sinking Sands”.

Sinking-Sands1

The following is the complete list of nominees and winners for the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards

Best Film
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)

Best Director
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga

Best Actress In Leading Role
Amake Abebrese – Sinking Sands

Best Actor In Leading Role
Themba Ndaba – Hopeville

Best Actress In Supporting Role
Marlene Longage – Viva Riva

Best Actor In Supporting Role
Hoji Fortuna – Viva Riva

Best Young Actor
Edward Kagutuzi – Mirror Boy

Best Child Actor
Sobahle Mkhabase (Thembi), Tschepang Mohlomi (Chili-Bite) And Sibonelo Malinga (Khwezi) – Izulu Lami

Best Film In African Language
Izulu Lami – Madoda Ncayiyana (South Africa)

Best Nigerian Film
Aramotu – Niji Akanni

Best Screenplay
Sinking Sands

Best Editing
Soul Boy

Best Cinematography
Viva Riva

Best Achievement In Sound
Shirley Adams

Best Visual Effects
A Small Town Called Descent

Best Soundtrack
Inale

Best Make Up

Sinking Sands

Best Costume Design
Aramotu

Best Production Design
Viva Riva

Best Film For African Abroad
In America: The Story Of The Soul Sisters – Rahman Oladigbolu (Nigeria/USA)

Best Diaspora Short Film
Precipice – Julius Amedume (UK)

Best Diaspora Documentary
Stuborn As A Mule – Miller Bargeron Jr & Arcelous Deiels (USA)

Best Diaspora Feature
Suicide Dolls – Keith Shaw (USA)

Best Documentary
Kondi Et Le Jeudi Nationale – Ariana Astrid Atodji (Cameroun)

Best Short Documentary
After The Mine – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (DRC)

Best Short Film
Dina – Mickey Fonseca (Mozambique)
http://www.chinokino.com

2011 Eko International Film festival to focus on Nollywood

EKO NEW LOGO

PRESS RELEASE
2ND EKO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The second edition of Eko International Film festival (EKOIFF), www.ekoiff.com is coming up in the mega city of Lagos from July 9-14, 2011.
This year’s Theme of Eko International film Festival is ‘‘Nollywood – maximizing the Nigerian Film Industry”.

The President/Co-Founder Mr. Hope Obioma Opara said the preparations for the second edition are already in progress with a new advisory board made up of accomplished professionals in the Nigerian film industry.

hope 4
Mr. Hope O. Opara

“The members of the Advisory Board will be announced at the press conference coming up soon. The second Eko International Film Festival will attract more filmmakers from different parts of the world,” said Mr. Opara.
“Organizing film festivals is an industry on its own besides script writing, acting, producing and directing. It is an international fiesta that attracts the convergence of film makers, the news media and film marketers for a major reason, competitions at various levels of film production and distribution deals.
“You can’t promote Nollywood in Nollywood, because an international film festival is a platform to expand our distribution network, forming synergy and collaboration with the outside world in a global village. It will also attract workshops for upcoming film makers to learn from professionals.”

The first edition was held last year at Genesis Deluxe Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos, which attracted more than 26 films submitted from eight countries of the world and this year’s festival in as much as it is exclusive for film professionals, the screening will be open to the public to watch movies at different cinemas for five days, televised on different TV stations and shown on websites, seen on millions of mobile phones and PCs in Nigeria and the rest of the world 24 hours daily.

Eko International Film Festival is expecting film practitioners and other stakeholders from all parts of the world including Nigerian practitioners as well to compete for the awards .Invitations have also been sent to other film festivals around the world to come and participate.

Eko International Film Festival is organized by Supple Communications Limited, Publisher of Supple magazine www.supplemagazine.org (the leading online film festivals and movies magazine in Africa) in partnership with M21 Entertainment of Europe, the owners of www.filmfestivals.com, the leading portal for the film and festival circuit, established in 1995 and www.fest21.com, the first social network for the film and festivals professionals.

The benefits of Eko International Film Festival are bringing more foreign participants to Nollywood and more visitors which will increase attraction of international tourists to the tourist destinations in Lagos state and other parts of Nigeria.

Eko International film festival will appreciate the support of corporate organizations and the government for the growth and development of the movie and entertainment industry.
For more information visit: www.ekoiff.com

New EKOIFF Icon

Contact:
Hope Obioma Opara
President/Co-Founder
Eko International Film Festival.