NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ®

divas supple

The maiden edition of the annual NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ® is for the inaugural Nollywood Divas Awards coming up at the 3rd Eko International Film Festival in November 2012. This special edition of the NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ® is for the celebration of the leading ladies of Nollywood, the phenomenal Nigerian film industry in the world. Both the digital and print versions will be circulated and distributed gratis worldwide and exhibited at the forthcoming 65th Cannes International Film Festival as the biggest film festival in the world pays a special memorial tribute to the legendary Hollywood Diva Marilyn Monroe, who has been selected as the “icon” of the festival for its 65th anniversary. We shall use this event to showcase the best of our own Nollywood Divas to the whole world. The NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ® NOT FOR SALE. The voting for the Nollywood Divas Awards will open soon. So, stay tuned to vote for your favourite Nollywood Diva!

Nigerian Films in the Spotlight at New York African Film Festival

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MAAMi
The New York première of Tunde Kelani’s Maami is a must see.

Andy Amadi Okoroafor’s Relentless, Starring Hip-Hop and Soul Singer Nneka, Tunde Kelani’s Maami and Andrew Dosunmu’s Restless City are among the top Nigerian films in the spotlight as the popular New York African Film Festival returns to the Film Society of Lincoln Center from April 11 -17.

The details of the complete highlights are in the following press release.

AFRICAN FILM IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS THE NEW YORK AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER APRIL 11 To 17

Highlights Include Opening Night Film Mama Africa, Celebrating the Legacy of Miriam Makeba, The Education of Auma Obama, Offering a Window into the African Family and Father of President Obama, and Centerpiece Selection Relentless, Starring Hip-Hop and Soul Singer Nneka.

NEW YORK (March 15, 2012)—Film Society of Lincoln Center (FSLC) and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) have again joined forces to present the 19th New York African Film Festival (NYAFF). Presented under the theme “21st Century: The Homecoming,” this year’s festival will explore the modern notion of home and homeland, from the legacy of music legend Miriam Makeba—subject of the Opening Night Film Mama Africa—to Diasporic visions like the New York-set Restless City. The NYAFF will also mark the 100th anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) and the 50th anniversary of independence for Algeria, Burundi, Jamaica, Rwanda and Uganda, as well as give a unique look into the life of President Obama with the New York premiere of a film on his half-sister, The Education of Auma Obama. The NYAFF will run from April 11 through 17 at Film Society of Lincoln Center, and throughout April and May at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies, Maysles Cinema Institute and the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s BAMcinématek.

“This is a continuation of the discussion about the shape of Africa that has taken place since Independence and that is now not being embraced by the younger generation,” said African Film Festival, Inc. Executive Director and Founder Mahen Bonetti. “Though these young people have not in many ways been thrown a lifeline as post-Independent conflict emerged, they have somehow managed, through technology, to craft their own narrative, unconsciously drawing on the past and creating something new and very modern without having disavowed the past.”

Special events and highlights include the Opening Night film Mama Africa by Mika Kaurismäki (Special Jury Recognition—Documentary at the 2012 Pan African Film Festival) on April 11, and the Centerpiece film Relentless by Andy Amadi Okoroafor, starring internationally renowned Nigerian-German hip hop and soul singer Nneka, a U.S. premiere, on Friday, April 13. With the election year in full swing, the NYAFF will present a film that offers a window into the African family of President Barack Obama and insight into his father, with The Education of Auma Obama by Branwen Okpako; the film won the Viewers’ Choice Award at the 2011 Africa International Film Festival and the Festival Founders’ Award at the 2012 Pan African Film Festival. The film noir How to Steal 2 Million by Charlie Vundla, a U.S. premiere, features the top South African actors Rapulana Seiphemo, Terry Pheto and John Kani.

“African cinema was born in the same year as the New York Film Festival—1963—and it’s always been a source of great pleasure and pride for me that for 50 years our programs have provided a vital showcase for the best in African filmmaking,” said Film Society of Lincoln Center Program Director Richard Peña. “We also salute our dear friends and partners at the New York African Film Festival, which for almost twenty years has worked successfully to make African cinema a reality around the United States.”

The popular blog Africa is a Country (africasacountry.com) will present “Africa is a Country: Talking Media and Russian Archives,” a free panel discussion, on Saturday, April 14 from 1:30 pm to 4 pm in the Frieda and Roy Furman Gallery at the Walter Reade Theater. Featured bloggers and special guest will examine the relationship between Africa and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s, as is evidenced by Russia’s extensive film archive of the continent, and then explore the relationship between film and social media movements on the continent (e.x. Tahrir revolutionary cinema, which documented the Egyptian Revolution in Tahrir Square, and Kony 2012).

“Africans in the Diaspora: Expatriates and the Homecoming,” a free festival preview will take place at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space on April 5 at 6:00 pm to welcome audiences to the 19th edition of the NYAFF; the event, moderated by renowned journalist Femi Oke, will include a special performance by popular artist-emcee DJ Spooky in which he rescores Father of African Cinema Ousmane Sembene’s Borrom Sorret, filmmaker-scholar Yemane Demissie and music and African cinema critic Beatiz Leal. The festival then kicks off at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater at 165 W. 65th Street, Plaza Level, from April 11 through 17, then heads to Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies on Thursday, April 19 for a daylong, free public program exploring the themes of the festival. It picks up on May 4 and 5 at the Maysles Cinema Institute in Harlem and culminates over Memorial Day Weekend at the Brooklyn Academy of Music BAMcinématek—part of the dance and music festival DanceAfrica. For details, visit African Film Festival online at www.africanfilmny.org.

The programs of AFF are made possible by the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, International Organization of La Francophonie, Domenico Paulon Foundation, New York Foundation for the Arts, Divine Chocolate, New York Times Community Affairs Department, The Ford Foundation, Bradley Family Foundation, South African Consulate General, SN Brussels, French Cultural Services, Bloomberg, Lambent Foundation, Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies, WNYC, 57 Main St. Wine Company, South African Airways, Hudson Hotel, Putumayo World Music, Flavorpill, Giant Step and Omnipak Import Enterprises, Inc.

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Press Screening Schedule
Please join us for advance press screenings at the Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
RSVP to John Wildman, jwildman@filmlinc.com, 212-875-5419.

MONDAY, APRIL 2
10AM Mama Africa (90 mins.)
11:45AM Relentless (92 mins.)
1:30PM The Education of Auma Obama (79 mins.)

TUESDAY, APRIL 3
10AM How to Steal 2 Million (90 mins.)
12PM Outside the Law (138 mins.)
2:45PM Fire in Babylon (80 mins.)

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Film Society of Lincoln Center
John Wildman, (212) 875-5419, jwildman@filmlinc.com
Davis Ninh, (212) 875-5423, dninh@filmlinc.com

For all other venues and general inquiries about The African Film Festival
Cheryl Duncan, (201) 332-8338, cheryl@cherylduncanpr.com
Alimah Boyd, (201) 332-8338, alimah@cherylduncanpr.com

ONLINE PRESS OFFICE:
Press releases and hi-res images may be downloaded from www.filmlinc.com/press

Films—Schedules & Descriptions

Directors and guest speakers will be present during the festival (indicated by an asterisk* before the show time). ALL FILMS IN NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGES WILL BE SUBTITLED IN ENGLISH.


FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER SCREENINGS

ALL SCREENINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE WALTER READE THEATER, 165 WEST 65TH STREET.

OPENING NIGHT SELECTION


Co-presented by Okayafrica

Mama Africa. Mika Kaurismäki, 2011, Finland/South Africa/Germany, HDCAM; 90m
Miriam Makeba was the first African musician to win international stardom, one whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots, as was her ceaseless message against racism and poverty. Miriam was forced into a life in exile, after exposing the harsh realities of apartheid. Singing for John F. Kennedy and Marlon Brando, performing with Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Dizzie Gillespie, being married to Hugh Masekela and then Stokely Carmichael, her life was a tumultuous one. Miriam stood for truth and justice on behalf of oppressed people, most importantly for Africans. She tragically died after collapsing at a concert in November 2008 in Italy at the age of 76. This documentary traces her life and music through more than fifty years of performing. Apr 11, *7:15p; Apr 13, 1:30p


CENTERPIECE SELECTION

U.S. Premiere

Relentless. Andy Amadi Okoroafor, 2011, Nigeria/France/ Spain/Germany, 35mm; 92m
Obi is a peace-keeping soldier in worn torn Sierra Leone, where he meets Blessing a Sierra Leonean woman. His life is devastated when he finds Blessing mutilated by rebels. His only option is to end her misery. On his return to Lagos, Obi is a man battling with the scars of war. By day he runs a small security company with Ola, his best friend and fellow war veteran; at night he walks the lonely streets of Lagos. A haunting story about loneliness, love and self-discovery set in Africa’s throbbing megacity Lagos, Relentless delicately explores the effects of war and loss. Plus a live dance performance by Khaleah London. Apr 13, *8:00p

U.S. Premiere
Black Africa White Marble. Clemente Bicocchi, 2011, USA/Republic of Congo/Italy; 77m
In the 1880s, there were two paths for Central Africa: Pietro di Brazza’s and Henry
Stanley’s. Italian by birth and French by education, Brazza rejected the racism of his age, using his philosophy of non-violence to penetrate the rainforests of the Congo Basin, sowing trust along the way. Meanwhile, his rival Stanley (in the service of the Belgian King Leopold II) advanced with the roar of the canon. More than a century later, when the current Congo president decides to transfer di Brazza’s remains from his grave in Algiers to a multimillion-dollar mausoleum in Congo’s impoverished capital, writer Idanna Pucci discovers an insidious hidden agenda behind the plan—one that sheds harsh light on both Central Africa’s colonial past and its corrupt present. Told using an innovative mixture of animation, puppetry and original documentary footage, Black Africa White Marble is a gripping, real-life David-and-Goliath thriller. Apr 14, *5:00p; Apr 16, 4:00p


Co-presented by Margaret Mead Film Festival

The Creators. Laura Gamse, 2011, South Africa; 83m
The story begins in the mind of Cashril Plus, a twelve-year-old animator and son of graffiti artist Faith47. Through Cashril’s eyes, we see his mother paint the streets and forgotten townships haloing Cape Town. The Creators then weaves us through the lives of Faith47 and fellow artists Warongx (afro-blues), Emile (hip hop), Sweat.X (glam rap), Blaq Pearl (spoken word) and Mthetho (opera). Born in separate areas of a formerly-segregated South Africa, these artists recraft history–and the impacts of apartheid–in their own artistic languages. Director Laura Gamse’s camera reveals the impulse behind the artists’ social consciousness, their individual eccentricities, and each creator’s unique form of expression. Diving into the current of subversive art which fuels South Africa’s many clashing and merging cultures, The Creators brings into focus the invisible connections among strangers’ disparate lives–and the creative expression used to traverse the divide. The result is an intimate, refreshing and deeply revealing portrait of those remolding the legacy of apartheid.

U.S. Premiere
Stocktown X: South Africa. Teddy Goitom and Benjamin Taft, 2011, Sweden/South Africa/Ethiopia; 30m
An inspiring and surprising adventure that will give you a new perspective of Africa. This film takes us on a road trip across South Africa, capturing the contemporary creative generation of this vivid and pulsating culture. Apr 14, *7:00p

N.Y. Premiere
The Education of Auma Obama. Branwen Okpako, 2011, Kenya/Germany/Nigeria, Digital; 79m
The Education of Auma Obama is a captivating and intimate portrait of U.S. president Barack Obama’s older half-sister, who embodies a post-colonial, feminist identity in her native Kenya. Nigerian-born director Branwen Okpako’s film also documents a generation of politically and socially engaged Africans whose aspirations are informed by their parent’s experiences, and whose ambition to forge a better future for their communities starts from the ground up. Apr 12, *6:00p; Apr 16, 2:00p

Elza. Mariette Monpierre, 2011, Guadeloupe/USA; 80m
Bernadette, a single mother in Paris, tries to provide her daughters with everything. She is thrilled when her eldest daughter, Elza, is the first in the family to graduate from college earning a master’s degree summa cum laude. But Elza breaks her mother’s heart by running away to their native Guadeloupe in search of a distant childhood memory: the father she barely remembers. Apr 12, 4:00p; Apr 15 *6:15p

Co-presented by Cinema Tropical
Fire In Babylon. Stevan Riley, 2010, UK, Digital; 80m
In a turbulent era of apartheid in South Africa, race riots in England and civil unrest in the Caribbean, the West Indian cricketers, led by the enigmatic Viv Richards, struck a defiant blow at the forces of white prejudice worldwide. Fire in Babylon is the breathtaking story of how the West Indies triumphed over its colonial masters through the achievements of one of the most gifted teams in sporting history. Their undisputed skill, combined with a fearless spirit, allowed them to dominate the genteel game at the highest level, replaying it on their own terms. This remarkable documentary is their story, told in their own words. Apr 15, 8:30p


U.S. Premiere

How to Steal 2 Million. Charlie Vundla, 2011, South Africa, Digital; 90m
Five long years…that’s how long Jack spent in prison after getting pinched for robbery. His partner in crime and best friend, Twala, never got caught and Jack never talked. But Twala proved as treacherous as Jack is honourable by marrying Jack’s former fiancée during his prison term. Upon being released, Jack decides to go straight. He wants to start a construction business, but after being rejected for a loan he must find a new source of capital. An opportunity presents itself when Twala suggests they do a home invasion with a take worth two million South African Rand. The intended victim: Twala’s father, Julius. In his search for a third partner Jack comes across the tough, but sexy Olive. When the robbery goes wrong, secret double crosses are revealed and the tension builds towards an explosive, surprising finale in this dark and stylish modern-day film noir. Apr 12, *8:15p
In Darkest Hollywood: Cinema & Apartheid. Peter Davis and Daniel Riesenfeld, 1994, USA/South Africa/Canada; 112m.

Using a wealth of archival footage and commentary by filmmakers and actors, including a young John Kani and Miriam Makeba, this two-part film examines the role of cinema in both supporting and attacking Apartheid, focusing on the impact of Hollywood films in South Africa, the depiction of South Africa in Hollywood films, and finally, the emergence of an indigenous film industry in South Africa. It also questions Hollywood’s commitment to racial stereotypes and reluctance to depict black heroes.
Apr 11, 3:30p; Apr 16, *6:00p

N.Y. Premiere
Maami. Tunde Kelani, 2010, Nigeria; 78m
Maami, and her young son Kashimawo are desperately poor. Gifted with a loving heart, enterprising spirit and brave soul, she is the center of her son’s world. Yet he longs for the father he has never known, a man with a terrible secret. Adapted by Tunde Babalola, from Femi Osofisan’s novel of the same name, this Nollywood film about love, perseverance and fate unfolds through Kashimawo’s reminiscences of his hardscrabble childhood in the southern Nigerian town, Abeokuta, and his ascent to international football fame during the 2010 World Cup. Apr 16, *8:45p

U.S. Premiere
Monica Wangu Wamwere: Unbroken Spirit. Jane Munene, 2011, Kenya; 71m
Unbroken Spirit recounts the indefatigable efforts of Monica Wangu Wamwere (a.k.a. Mama Koigi), mother of Kenyan human rights activist and political prisoner Koigi wa Wamwere. She participated (along with Noble Laureate Wangari Maathai) in the 1992 Mothers’ Hunger Strike to release political prisoners and is a member of the Release Political Prisoners pressure group. Director Jane Munene’s rousing and deeply moving portrait introduces us to a largely an unknown African woman who is truly a remarkable spirit! Apr 12, 2:15p; Apr 15, *2:00p

Co-presented by 3rd I NY
Outside the Law/Hors la loi. Rachid Bouchareb, 2010, Algeria/France, 35mm; 138m
From acclaimed writer-director Rachid Bouchareb (Indigenes) comes this epic story–a 2011 Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film–of three brothers who fight for Algeria’s independence from France following World War II. After losing their family home in Algeria, three brothers and their mother are scattered across the globe. Messaoud joins the French army fighting in Indochina, Abdelkader becomes a leader of the Algerian independence movement in France, and Saïd moves to Paris to make his fortune in the shady clubs and boxing halls of Pigalle. Gradually, their interconnecting destinies reunite them in the French capital, where freedom is a battle to be fought and won. Apr 17, *8:30p

U.S. Premiere
Playing Warriors. Rumbi Katedza, 2011, Zimbabwe; 78m
When twenty-something advertising executive Nyarai finds out that her best friend Nonto is getting married, she and her lawyer friend Maxi are sent into a frenzy thinking that their time to find “Mr. Right” may be running out. Determined to marry for love–despite the insistence of her meddlesome mother that she hurry up and settle down–Nyarai sets out to find a modern man as strong and dependable as the mythical traditional warrior. Reminiscent of a Zimbabwean Sex and the City, director Rumbi Katedza’s delightful debut feature is a smart and insightful comedy about the struggle of young African women to balance modern lifestyles with the pressures of family and tradition. Apr 15, *4:00p

U.S. Premiere

Relentless. Andy Amadi Okoroafor, 2011, Nigeria/France/ Spain/Germany, 35mm; 92m

Obi is a peace-keeping soldier in worn torn Sierra Leone, where he meets Blessing a Sierra Leonean woman. His life is devastated when he finds Blessing mutilated by rebels. His only option is to end her misery. On his return to Lagos, Obi is a man battling with the scars of war. By day he runs a small security company with Ola, his best friend and fellow war veteran; at night he walks the lonely streets of Lagos. A haunting story about loneliness, love and self-discovery set in Africa’s throbbing megacity Lagos, Relentless delicately explores the effects of war and loss. Plus a live dance performance by Khaleah London. Apr 13, *8:00p

Co-presented by Okayafrica

Restless City

Restless City. Andrew Dosunmu, 2011, USA/Nigeria, HDCAM; 80m

Direct from its acclaimed premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, director Andrew Dosunmu’s kinetic, gorgeously photographed debut feature tells the story of an Africa immigrant surviving on the fringes of New York City where music is his passion, life is a hustle, and falling in love is his greatest risk. Djibril is a young African immigrant who’s life can only go upward. He wants to be a pop star and one day return to Africa where his mother and father toil for a meager living. By day he sells merchandise on Canal Street for a small income, but he continuously seeks a way to succeed as a singer. When Djibril meets Trini, a prostitute under the control of Bekay, the local loan shark, his life assumes new purpose and momentum; however, whether Djibril and Trini can outrun Bekay’s nefarious influence is another story. Apr 14, *9:30p


U.S. Premiere

Sderot, Last Exit. Osvalde Lewat, 2011, Cameroon/Israel; 80m
Co-presented by Human Rights Watch Film Festival
Located 2 km from the Gaza border, the film school of Sderot in the south of Israel is a microcosm of the geo-political landscape, where daily life between Jews, Muslims, Christians, Palestinians, Israelis, left-wing radicals and ultranationalists is far from tranquil. Director Osvalde Lewat offers a fascinating glimpse of a film school where the issue of training is not only artistic, but clearly political and ideological.

N.Y. Premiere
Farewell Exile/Salam Ghourba. Lamia Alami, 2011, Morocco; 15m
In an underprivileged Moroccan neighborhood surrounded by misery, Fatima anxiously waits to join her husband, who emigrated to France over a year ago. Will a letter from her husband secure a brighter future, allowing her to take her son away from this harmful environment? Or will she have to make a crucial sacrifice?

U.S. Premiere
Up Your Black Arse. Aurélien Bodineaux, 2011, Belgium/DRC; 12m
In a Brussels retirement home, two men–one Belgian, one Congolese–drink to their long-lasting friendship. They argue over an old story. It’s one of broken dreams and wasted lives. Up Your Black Arse stares into the colonial past, to look into our present.
Apr 13, 3:30p; Apr 17, *6:00p

World Premiere
Treasures From the Russian State Archives. (Total Running Time: 70 mins. approx.)
Don’t miss this extraordinary selection of newsreels and other rare documentary material discovered in the vault’s of Russia’s national film archives. Topics include Johannesburg in 1954, the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., South African surgeon Christian Bernard, opposition to apartheid in Johannesburg in 1976, and the liberation of Algeria. The program will also include a trailer of a new film that examines Russian-African relations, based on material from this vast archive. Presented by Russian filmmaker Alexander Markov. Apr 11, 2:00p; Apr 13, *6:00p


FOR ALL OTHER VENUES

Visit www.africanfilmny.org for updates.

Ticket Information

Ticket Prices
$13 General Public, $9 Students & Seniors, $8 Film Society Members

4 Film Package!
See 4 films for the price of 3
$9.75 General Public, $6.75 Students & Seniors, $6.00 Film Society Members
Please note: Minimum purchase of four tickets required for discount to apply. Discount does not apply to the 7:15pm Opening Night screening of Mama Africa on Wednesday, April 11 & the 8pm Centerpiece screening of Relentless on Friday, April 13.

Purchase Options
Online: FilmLinc.com
In Person: Film Society box offices

Film Society of Lincoln Center

Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street (north side) between Broadway & Amsterdam, on the upper level (212-875-5601). Box Office Hours: Mon.–Fri. opens at 12:30pm, Sat./Sun. opens 1/2 hour before first public screening. Closes 15 minutes after last public screening or at 6pm when there are no public screenings.

Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, 144 West 65th Street (south side) between Broadway & Amsterdam. Box Office Hours: Opens 1/2 hr before first public screening. Closes 15 minutes after last public screening or at 6pm when there are no public screenings.

Opening Night & Centerpiece Receptions

Please email AFF at nyaff@erols.com or call 212 352 1720 for information about the Opening Night and Centerpiece receptions. Tickets to the receptions include the film screenings.


FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER
Under the leadership of Rose Kuo, Execu
tive Director, and Richard Peña, Program Director, the Film Society of Lincoln Center offers the best in international, classic and cutting-edge independent cinema. The Film Society presents two film festivals that attract global attention: the New York Film Festival, currently planning its 50th edition, and New Directors/New Films which, since its founding in 1972, has been produced in collaboration with MoMA. The Film Society also publishes the award-winning Film Comment Magazine, and for over three decades has given an annual award—now named “The Chaplin Award”—to a major figure in world cinema. Past recipients of this award include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks. The Film Society presents a year-round calendar of programming, panels, lectures, educational programs and specialty film releases at its Walter Reade Theater and the new state-of-the-art Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. The Film Society receives generous, year-round support from Royal Bank of Canada, American Airlines, The New York Times, Stella Artois, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts. For more information, visit www.filmlinc.com.

AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL, INC.
For more than two decades, African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) has bridged the divide between post-colonial Africa and the American public through the powerful medium of film and video. AFF’s unique place in the international arts community is distinguished not only by leadership in festival management, but also by a comprehensive approach to the advocacy of African film and culture. AFF established the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) in 1993 with Film Society of Lincoln Center. The New York African Film Festival is presented annually at the Walter Reade Theater by African Film Festival, Inc. and Film Society of Lincoln Center, in association with Brooklyn Academy of Music. AFF also produces a series of local, national and international programs throughout the year. More information about AFF is found on the Web at www.africanfilmny.org.

AiRis, Enchanting Beauty and a Wonderful Singer

AiRis, Enchanting Beauty and a Wonderful Singer

Airis

Olowo Ori Mi, My Lover is the all time love song of AiRis, the young Nigerian singer who has a Nigerian father and Egyptian mother. But you wonder why such a wonderful love song by a very beautiful Nigerian singer has not been given much attention on radio and TV. I have seen her video, but it was played once in a blue moon. Why are they ignoring her?

Does her provocative beauty and enchanting voice provoke jealousy and envy among her own people?

Airis-3

AiRis made her debut in 2009 with songs inspired by the romantic Mediterranean rock, pop and African music. She was born in Cairo but she spent her young adult years between Nigeria, United Kingdom and Egypt. In the fall of 2009, AiRis moved to Nigeria to pursue her singing/songwriting career and in the spring of 2010 she created AiRis Music, her own record label. In creating her music, AiRis tries to convey her feelings, experiences, and those of others in the words and rhythm of her style. Her style of music is alternative pop and soul with various cultural influences, specifically African.

Her work brings a unique mixture of pop and soul to the African music industry. Her sound addition to the music industry opens a new door for the African Entertainment Industry internationally. Media interested in setting up an interview with AiRis about the new release should please contact us at info(at)icypr.com or telephone: 305.549.3676. For bookings and appearances, contact Kamal Ajiboye: telephone: 011.234. 706.664.2805 or 08137620730, e-mail: kamal.ajiboye@gmail.com.
Fans of AiRis can also connect to her via Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube or on her
Website – www.airismusic.com

I-Represent International Documentary Film Festival Holds 22nd-25th March 2012

iREP 2012 OFFICIAL POSTER

PRESS RELEASE

I-Represent International Documentary Film Festival Holds 22nd-25th March 2012 at Terra Kulture & Freedom Park, Lagos

The highly acclaimed I-Represent International Documentary Film Festival which debuted last year holds its second edition from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th of March 2012, at Terra-Culture, Lagos, and Freedom Park Broad Street, Lagos Nigeria. It will feature screenings and discussions at Terra Kulture each day from 10am-5pm Thursday-Saturday and screenings at Freedom Park’s outdoor theatre from 7pm-11pm Thursday-Saturday and from 10am-10pm on Sunday at Freedom Park Only.

The festival is conceptualized on the framework: AFRICA IN SELF CONVERSATION, and it would explore the theme: DEMOCRACY AND CULTURE – THE DOCUMENTARY FILM INTERVENTION.

iREP 2012 OFFICIAL POSTER1

As would be deduced from the unprecedented and sporadic people’s mass action that attended the January 1, 2012 removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, a new sense of participation in governance is evolving on the African continent. It is thus increasingly becoming important to explore opportunities open to African filmmakers to bring better understanding and approaches to participatory democracy as a part of African political culture through the medium of documentary films.

The scope of the Festival would cover such areas as Democracy and Demonstrations, New media technology and participatory democracy, and The potentials of the Nigerian films to explore and exploit the documentary format in its production values.

A key subtheme in the 2012 iREP Documentary Film Festival is: IS NOLLYWOOD DOCUMENTARY? This will feature a conversation among filmmakers and their publics on the potentials of Nollywood films to embrace the Documentary ethics in its operation and outputs. A key area of discourse would be the need to explore the production and distribution potentials and schemes of Nollywood towards achieving documentary objectives.

We have the pleasure of Professor Jean Paul Colleyn (Director of Institute of African Studies, Paris) to deliver the Keynote Speech at the Festival opening ceremony on Thursday at 10am. Jean Paul-Colleyn is an Anthropologist, Filmmaker and Professor at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris, France as well as Director of the Centre fod African Studies (Institute of African Studies). He has conducted extensive fieldwork research in West Africa; and currently engaged in a research project in Mali. He was a producer at Arte TV channel (1988-98); visting professor at New York University (1998-2001); Commissioned Editor of the series ‘The Art of the Myth’ (Arte, 2009-2010); Director of over 30 Documentary films and author of over 14 books and many scholarly essays on documentary films, Art and African Studies and Culture.

Also speaking at the Festival are luminaries with vast knowledge and relevant experience in filmmaking and the media. They include the Chairman of CHANNELS Television Mr. John Momoh, a veteran documentarist and award-winning journalist, Mr. EmekaMba, Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board and a reknowned authority on New Media channels for content management and distribution. The festival is holding this year in partnership with Goethe Institute and it will feature a host of International Filmmakers who are presenting films and conducting Training Workshops. Notable amongst them includeNigerian/German Filmmaker BranwenOkpakowho will be screening her internationally acclaimed film “The Re-education of Obama.” and other international filmmakers attending the festival include German Director Jens Wenkel, Kathrin Springer (Producer) Ulla Wessler (DokFEst Munich) and BärbelMauch (producer).

An important feature of this festival is a PRODUCERS’ ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE featuring conversation on Strategies For International Co-Productionto be attended by Documentary filmmakers from Cameroon, Germany, Ghana and Nigeria. It will be Moderated by Ms. Katarina Hedren a key promoter of the Documentary Network Africa Initiative. Ms. Hendren is the former chair of the Swedish based film festival, CinemAfrica, and she works as a translator/interpreter, as well as discussion and workshop moderator/facilitator/designer, film programmer, film critic, and writer with South African producers and directors as well as organisations such as Tri-Continental Film Festival, People to People Conference, Encounters International Documentary Festival, The Goethe-Institut and FESPACO. She is the coordinator of the Mokolo project – an initiative that aims to create a virtual platform for web content relating to African audiovisual industries, thus improving the accessibility and visibility of African audiovisual content and professionals.

The Training Workshop of the festival which last year was attended by over 100 young Nigerian Filmmakers will be holding once again at the Freedom Park Venue on Friday and Saturday and it will feature Facilitators such as BarbelMauch from Germany, Veteran documentaristAlhajiArulogun, Filmmaker Tam Fiofori, and Festival Executive Director Femi Odugbemi

The festival will be screening over 20 films at both Terra Kulture during the day and from 7pm-11pm at Freedom Park each night. Notable films on the schedule include “LAGOS: Notes of a City” by Jens Wenkel, “Linking Africa” by Michael Grotenhoff, “RedHot Nigeria” by Sandra Obiago, “Espoir Voyage” by Michel Zongo, “And the Chain was Not” by Femi Odugbemi, “An African Election” by JarrethMerz, “DuniyaJuyijuyi” by AbdullahiYahayaSa’ad and “The Guantanamo Trap” by Thomas Wallner.

ABOUT iREP FESTIVAL

i-Represent International Documentary Film Festival is an annual film festival dedicated to promoting awareness about the power of documentary films to serve as a means of deepening and sharing social and cultural education as well as encouraging participatory democracy in our societies. The maiden edition held in January 2011, in Lagos, Nigeria, brought together a pool of veteran filmmakers, film scholars, critics, Arts enthusiasts, and students from different parts of the World.

We believe strongly that the 2012 Festival would provide completely invaluable opportunities for all participants to appraise cogent issues that are germane to the future of filmmaking in Africa, and indeed, the World. Activities at the conference have been carefully designed to cover a wide spectrum of knowledge areas and interest, and would include Paper presentations, Training and Workshops, Interactive panel discussions, film screenings, and Networking.
We look forward to the pleasure of having your presence at the festival
Thank you.

More Details at
www.irepfilmfestival.com

SIGNED:
Femi Odugbemi
Executive Director
For IREP FILM FORUM
9TH MARCH 2012.

The Artist Wins Best Picture and Four Other Oscars

The Artist
Jean Dujardin wins Best Actor for THE ARTIST.

The night of the Oscars belonged to The Artist as the French Black and White film won the most coveted Oscars at the 84th Academy Awards, for Best Picture, Best Director, Actor in a Leading Role, Original Score and for Costume Design as well.

As the era of silent films draws to a close, two actors find their careers and their relationship influenced by the coming of talking pictures. While popular screen star George Valentin resists the transition to sound, young Peppy Miller embodies a modern age that is leaving Valentin behind.

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius
Produced by Thomas Langmann
Written by Michel Hazanavicius
Starring
* Jean Dujardin
* Bérénice Bejo

Music by Ludovic Bource
Cinematography Guillaume Schiffman
Editing by
* Anne-Sophie Bion
* Michel Hazanavicius
Studio
* La Petite Reine
* ARP Sélection

Thomas Langmann: I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. To you members of the Academy, to you Harvey, not only because we received tonight the award that any filmmaker would ever dream to receive, but because you’re offering me tonight the opportunity to pay tribute to a member of this Academy that I miss so much, the Oscar winner Claude Berri. And he directed movies like “The Two of Us,” “Jean de Florette” and produced and worked with directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Milos Forman, Pedro Almodovar, Roman Polanski. And I always thought and remember, will I ever one day be able to work with such director? Director that could stand in front of these example. And tonight I know I do because I am the producer of Michel Hazanavicius. And I am glad to be his producer.

Michel Hazanavicius: Okay thank you. I’d like to say very, very important things. I want to say hi to my kids and it’s six in the morning in Paris so you should go to bed in thirty seconds. I want to say to my wife, Bérénice Bejo, who’s here that I love you, but it’s not just that, it’s about the movie. You inspired the movie and you’re the soul of the movie and the positive feeling of the movie. Thank you for being this in the movie and in my life. And I want to thank three person: I want to thank Billy Wilder. I want to thank Billy Wilder. And I want to thank Billy Wilder. Thank you very much.

The Iranian film A Separation by Asghar Farhadi won the Oscar for the best Foreign Language Film.

A Separation

When an Iranian couple separate prior to their divorce, a chain of events is set in motion that will affect the future of two families. After his wife’s departure, Nadar hires a woman named Razieh to care for his elderly father, but complications in Razieh’s own life give rise to an escalating series of problems.

List of the 84th Annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday:

1. Best Picture: “The Artist.”
2. Actor: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist.”
3. Actress: Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady.”
4. Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.”
5. Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.”
6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist.”
7. Foreign Language Film: “A Separation,” Iran.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, “The Descendants.”
9. Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris.”
10. Animated Feature Film: “Rango.”
11. Art Direction: “Hugo.”
12. Cinematography: “Hugo.”
13. Sound Mixing: “Hugo.”
14. Sound Editing: “Hugo.”
15. Original Score: “The Artist.”
16. Original Song: “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets.”
17. Costume Design: “The Artist.”
18. Documentary Feature: “Undefeated.”
19. Documentary Short: “Saving Face.”
20. Film Editing: “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”
21. Makeup: “The Iron Lady.”
22. Animated Short Film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.”
23. Live Action Short Film: “The Shore.”
24. Visual Effects: “Hugo.”
——
Oscar winners previously presented this season:
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Oprah Winfrey.
Honorary Award: James Earl Jones.
Honorary Award: Dick Smith.
Gordon E. Sawyer Award: Douglas Trumbull.
Award of Merit: ARRI cameras.

Winners List compiled by FOX News.

Winners of the 2012 International Film Festival Rotterdam

2012 IFFR

The following are the winners at the 2012 International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Clip by Maja Miloš (Serbia, 2012)
‘A vigorous, rebellious, authentic, honest and revealing film using modern means to depict in a punchy way the mobile generation, who capture their lives through images recorded on their phones. An emotionally disturbed main character in a fractured family, within a broken society. Clip provokes many questions and gives no answers.’

Clip saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012. The film is produced by Film House Bas Celik (Serbia).

De jueves a domingo by Dominga Sotomayor (Chile/Netherlands, 2012)
‘In focus, this film is a very precise and gentle depiction of the intimate space of a family. We are captured in a journey seen through a child’s perspective, and recall the moments of our own childhood, at the same time experiencing and understanding all the complexities that adult life entails. The minimalistic story is revealed through the fresh angles of the camerawork. A gentle piece, rich with sensitive observations.’

De jueves a domingo was supported by the IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund for script and project development and was selected for the Hubert Bals Fund Plus-program. The film saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012 and was produced by Forastero and Cinestación (Chili) in co-production with Circe Films (Netherlands). Sales agent is FiGa Films (USA).

Egg and Stone by Huang Ji (China, 2012)
‘The director creates a sensation by telling the private story of a girl who unwillingly becomes trapped in a life in the margins. The taboo present in the film is broken by means of poetic language. The director does so with a convincing author’s approach and sensitive direction of non-professional actors. The beautifully framed, conscious choice of camerawork is relevant to storytelling, and unveils human secrets.’

Egg and Stone saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012 and was produced by Yellow-Green Pi and Panorama (China).

NETPAC Award
The NETPAC Jury (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) awards the best Asian film in IFFR 2012 Official Selection. The Jury consisted of Hao Jian (Beijing Film Academy, China), Jean Hae Noh (Mirovision and Screen International, South Korea) and Meiske Taurisia (babibutafilm, Indonesia).

The winner of the NETPAC Award 2012 is:

Sentimental Animal by Wu Quan (China, 2011)
‘For employing innovative visual and narrative construction to cultivate a poignant cinematic style, thereby creating a subtle metonymy about the power structure and tension-ridden human relationships in Chinese society today.’

Sentimental Animal had its international premiere in the Bright Future-section for first or second time filmmakers of the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2012.

FIPRESCI Award
The Jury of the international association of film critics FIPRESCI (Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique) awards the best film in the Tiger Awards Competition. The Jury consisted of Carmen Gray (Jury Chair, Sight & Sound; Little White Lies, UK), Dennis Lim (Artforum, USA), Marcelo Janot (O Globo, Brazil), Nicole Santé (Oor; Ad Valvas, The Netherlands), Clarence Tsui (South China Morning Post, Hong Kong).

The winner of the Rotterdam FIPRESCI Award 2012 is:

Neighbouring Sounds by Kleber Mendonça Filho (Brazil, 2012)
‘For evoking an atmosphere of paranoia and menace through a highly ambitious use of sound and cinematography the winner is Neighbouring Sounds.’

Neighbouring Sounds received support from the IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund for script and project development and for post-production; it saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012.

KNF Award
The Jury of the Circle of Dutch film journalists KNF (Kring van Nederlandse Filmjournalisten) awards the best film from a selection of IFFR 2012-titles that have not yet been acquired for Dutch distribution. As a promotion to acquisition for distribution within The Netherlands the KNF Award comes with a grant for subtitling the film, sponsored by NCP Holland. The Jury consisted of Henk Maurits (Psynema), Ronald Rovers (de Filmkrant) and Arjan Welles (Film1, Filmtab, Filmtotaal).

From the selected films, the KNF Jury nominated three films: Nana by Valérie Massadian (France) from Bright Future and the competing films Clip by Maja Miloš (Serbia) and Sudoeste by Eduardo Nunes (Brazil).

The winner of the KNF Award 2012 is:

Clip by Maja Miloš (Serbia, 2012)
‘The winning film is a daring and stunning debut, portraying an abandoned Serbian post-war generation. Its talented young director succeeds in constructing a brutal portrait using the pervasive and uninhibited visual language of the cell phone generation. It shows teens obsessively identifying with video clips, glorifying sex and violence and turning themselves into victims of pornofication. Though confronting, disturbing and explicit, Clip skilfully succeeds in avoiding the trap of exploitation. We really hope a Dutch distributor will show the same courage as Maja Miloš did in making this film.’

Clip saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012.

Earlier in the festival, the following awards were handed out:

Tiger Awards for Short Films and EFA Nomination
Monday 30 January, Makino Takashi’s Generator (Japan), Mati Diop’s Big in Vietnam (France) and Jeroen Eisinga’s Springtime (Netherlands) were awarded the three equal Tiger Awards for Short Films 2012. The jury gave a Special Mention to Charlotte Lim Lay Kuen for her short film I’m Lisa (Malaysia).

The International Film Festival Rotterdam short film nominee for the European Film Awards 2012 is Im Freien by Albert Sackl (Austria).

The eighth Tiger Awards Competition for Short Films comprised twenty-one films, ranging in length from five to fifty-six minutes. For its Jury the IFFR welcomed Rania Stephan from Lebanon who’s first feature-length documentary film The Three Disappearances of Soad Hosni screened in the festival; film curator and writer Andréa Picard from Canada, who worked for the Cinematheque Ontario and curated the Wavelengths section of the Toronto International Film Festival; and film critic and screenwriter Dana Linssen from The Netherlands, editor-in-chief of de Filmkrant and contributor to NRC Handelsblad. The Jury handed out the three equal Tiger Awards for Short Film (3,000 Euros) to the winning filmmakers at IFFR venue WORM on Monday evening 30 January 2012.

MovieSquad Award
British film Weekend by Andrew Haigh (UK, 2011), selected in IFFR’s Bright Future section, has won the MovieSquad IFFR Award. The young people’s jury announced the winning film Thursday February 2.

The MovieSquad jury consisted of five members aged 15 to 19 years: Nick Golterman, Manon Keus, Symen Hoogesteger, Juliette van den Dorpel en Roxanne Doorn. They selected the winner out of the twenty festival films that were up for consideration. Out of these twenty films, the jury also nominated the films Lena (Christophe van Rompaey, The Netherlands/Belgium, 2011) and Play (Ruben Östlund, Sweden/Denmark/Finland, 2011) but in the end chose Weekend by Andrew Haigh as their winner.

MovieSquad IFFR is an initiative of EYE Film Institute Netherlands in cooperation with the International Film Festival Rotterdam and is sponsored by SNS REAAL Fonds.

ARTE France Cinéma and Eurimages Awards for best CineMart Projects 2012
The 29th CineMart, co-production market of the International Film Festival Rotterdam concluded Wednesday February 1 with the announcement of the two awards for best CineMart Projects 2012.

Duncharon by Athina Rachel Tsangari (Greece, Attenberg and producer of Dogtooth and Alps) won the ARTE France Cinéma Award (10,000 Euro) and first feature project Humidity by Nikola Ljuca (Serbia) – one of the five projects in the BOOST!-program, a collaboration of CineMart, the Hubert Bals Fund and Binger Filmlab – took the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award (30,000). The Jury gave a Special Mention to Indian-American co-production The Lunchbox by Ritesh Batra (India).

Jury members for the ARTE France Cinéma and Eurimages Awards were Claire Launay (ARTE France Cinéma), Petri Kemppinen (Finnish Film Foundation) and Winnie Lau (Fortissimo Films). The three winners of the equal Hivos Tiger Awards 2012 are:

Clip by Maja Miloš (Serbia, 2012)
‘A vigorous, rebellious, authentic, honest and revealing film using modern means to depict in a punchy way the mobile generation, who capture their lives through images recorded on their phones. An emotionally disturbed main character in a fractured family, within a broken society. Clip provokes many questions and gives no answers.’

Clip saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012. The film is produced by Film House Bas Celik (Serbia).

De jueves a domingo by Dominga Sotomayor (Chile/Netherlands, 2012)
‘In focus, this film is a very precise and gentle depiction of the intimate space of a family. We are captured in a journey seen through a child’s perspective, and recall the moments of our own childhood, at the same time experiencing and understanding all the complexities that adult life entails. The minimalistic story is revealed through the fresh angles of the camerawork. A gentle piece, rich with sensitive observations.’

De jueves a domingo was supported by the IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund for script and project development and was selected for the Hubert Bals Fund Plus-program. The film saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012 and was produced by Forastero and Cinestación (Chili) in co-production with Circe Films (Netherlands). Sales agent is FiGa Films (USA).

Egg and Stone by Huang Ji (China, 2012)
‘The director creates a sensation by telling the private story of a girl who unwillingly becomes trapped in a life in the margins. The taboo present in the film is broken by means of poetic language. The director does so with a convincing author’s approach and sensitive direction of non-professional actors. The beautifully framed, conscious choice of camerawork is relevant to storytelling, and unveils human secrets.’

Egg and Stone saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012 and was produced by Yellow-Green Pi and Panorama (China).

NETPAC Award
The NETPAC Jury (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) awards the best Asian film in IFFR 2012 Official Selection. The Jury consisted of Hao Jian (Beijing Film Academy, China), Jean Hae Noh (Mirovision and Screen International, South Korea) and Meiske Taurisia (babibutafilm, Indonesia).

The winner of the NETPAC Award 2012 is:

Sentimental Animal by Wu Quan (China, 2011)
‘For employing innovative visual and narrative construction to cultivate a poignant cinematic style, thereby creating a subtle metonymy about the power structure and tension-ridden human relationships in Chinese society today.’

Sentimental Animal had its international premiere in the Bright Future-section for first or second time filmmakers of the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2012.

FIPRESCI Award
The Jury of the international association of film critics FIPRESCI (Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique) awards the best film in the Tiger Awards Competition. The Jury consisted of Carmen Gray (Jury Chair, Sight & Sound; Little White Lies, UK), Dennis Lim (Artforum, USA), Marcelo Janot (O Globo, Brazil), Nicole Santé (Oor; Ad Valvas, The Netherlands), Clarence Tsui (South China Morning Post, Hong Kong).

The winner of the Rotterdam FIPRESCI Award 2012 is:

Neighbouring Sounds by Kleber Mendonça Filho (Brazil, 2012)
‘For evoking an atmosphere of paranoia and menace through a highly ambitious use of sound and cinematography the winner is Neighbouring Sounds.’

Neighbouring Sounds received support from the IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund for script and project development and for post-production; it saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012.

KNF Award
The Jury of the Circle of Dutch film journalists KNF (Kring van Nederlandse Filmjournalisten) awards the best film from a selection of IFFR 2012-titles that have not yet been acquired for Dutch distribution. As a promotion to acquisition for distribution within The Netherlands the KNF Award comes with a grant for subtitling the film, sponsored by NCP Holland. The Jury consisted of Henk Maurits (Psynema), Ronald Rovers (de Filmkrant) and Arjan Welles (Film1, Filmtab, Filmtotaal).

From the selected films, the KNF Jury nominated three films: Nana by Valérie Massadian (France) from Bright Future and the competing films Clip by Maja Miloš (Serbia) and Sudoeste by Eduardo Nunes (Brazil).

The winner of the KNF Award 2012 is:

Clip by Maja Miloš (Serbia, 2012)
‘The winning film is a daring and stunning debut, portraying an abandoned Serbian post-war generation. Its talented young director succeeds in constructing a brutal portrait using the pervasive and uninhibited visual language of the cell phone generation. It shows teens obsessively identifying with video clips, glorifying sex and violence and turning themselves into victims of pornofication. Though confronting, disturbing and explicit, Clip skilfully succeeds in avoiding the trap of exploitation. We really hope a Dutch distributor will show the same courage as Maja Miloš did in making this film.’

Clip saw its world premiere in the Tiger Awards Competition 2012.

Earlier in the festival, the following awards were handed out:

Tiger Awards for Short Films and EFA Nomination
Monday 30 January, Makino Takashi’s Generator (Japan), Mati Diop’s Big in Vietnam (France) and Jeroen Eisinga’s Springtime (Netherlands) were awarded the three equal Tiger Awards for Short Films 2012. The jury gave a Special Mention to Charlotte Lim Lay Kuen for her short film I’m Lisa (Malaysia).

The International Film Festival Rotterdam short film nominee for the European Film Awards 2012 is Im Freien by Albert Sackl (Austria).

The eighth Tiger Awards Competition for Short Films comprised twenty-one films, ranging in length from five to fifty-six minutes. For its Jury the IFFR welcomed Rania Stephan from Lebanon who’s first feature-length documentary film The Three Disappearances of Soad Hosni screened in the festival; film curator and writer Andréa Picard from Canada, who worked for the Cinematheque Ontario and curated the Wavelengths section of the Toronto International Film Festival; and film critic and screenwriter Dana Linssen from The Netherlands, editor-in-chief of de Filmkrant and contributor to NRC Handelsblad. The Jury handed out the three equal Tiger Awards for Short Film (3,000 Euros) to the winning filmmakers at IFFR venue WORM on Monday evening 30 January 2012.

MovieSquad Award
British film Weekend by Andrew Haigh (UK, 2011), selected in IFFR’s Bright Future section, has won the MovieSquad IFFR Award. The young people’s jury announced the winning film Thursday February 2.

The MovieSquad jury consisted of five members aged 15 to 19 years: Nick Golterman, Manon Keus, Symen Hoogesteger, Juliette van den Dorpel en Roxanne Doorn. They selected the winner out of the twenty festival films that were up for consideration. Out of these twenty films, the jury also nominated the films Lena (Christophe van Rompaey, The Netherlands/Belgium, 2011) and Play (Ruben Östlund, Sweden/Denmark/Finland, 2011) but in the end chose Weekend by Andrew Haigh as their winner.

MovieSquad IFFR is an initiative of EYE Film Institute Netherlands in cooperation with the International Film Festival Rotterdam and is sponsored by SNS REAAL Fonds.

ARTE France Cinéma and Eurimages Awards for best CineMart Projects 2012
The 29th CineMart, co-production market of the International Film Festival Rotterdam concluded Wednesday February 1 with the announcement of the two awards for best CineMart Projects 2012.

Duncharon by Athina Rachel Tsangari (Greece, Attenberg and producer of Dogtooth and Alps) won the ARTE France Cinéma Award (10,000 Euro) and first feature project Humidity by Nikola Ljuca (Serbia) – one of the five projects in the BOOST!-program, a collaboration of CineMart, the Hubert Bals Fund and Binger Filmlab – took the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award (30,000). The Jury gave a Special Mention to Indian-American co-production The Lunchbox by Ritesh Batra (India).

Jury members for the ARTE France Cinéma and Eurimages Awards were Claire Launay (ARTE France Cinéma), Petri Kemppinen (Finnish Film Foundation) and Winnie Lau (Fortissimo Films).

Top 20 Nigerian Filmmakers

Tunde Kelani
Tunde Kelani

Top 20 Nigerian Filmmakers

In no particular order, the following are the top 20 Nigerian filmmakers based on the local and international ratings of their active engagements, current movies at the cinemas, critical press reviews by film critics and screenings at film festivals.

1. Tunde Kelani

Tunde Kelani has been the most resourceful and outstanding Nigerian filmmaker from the old school who has remained very active since the 1970s to date when his contemporaries are no longer very active. He is accomplished in both celluloid and video And his notable films include Anikura, Ireke Onibudo, Pap Ajasco, Kannakanna, Ogun Ajaye, Iya Ni Wura, Taxi Driver, Iwa, Fopomoyo and feature videos Ti Oluwa Nile , Ayo Ni Mofe , Kosegbe, O Le Ku, Saworoide And Thunderbolt and Maami.

2. Amaka Igwe

Amaka Igwe

Amaka Igwe may be called the “Mama of Nollywood” for being the leading lady of Nigeria’s home video industry for her notable contributions to the sustainable development from the 1990s to date. And famous for her outstanding movies Rattle Snake, Violated, Checkmate, Forever and celluloid film A Barber’s Wisdom – a film which is part of M-Net’s new directions.

3. Izu Ojukwu

Izu Ojukwu

Izu Ojukwu is one of the most accomplished Nigerian filmmakers of the new generation, but very modest about his achievements. He has won African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for Best Director for the film Sitanda, which received 9 nominations and won 5 awards at the 2007 African Movie Academy Awards, including Best Picture & Best Nigerian Film.

4. Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun

Lancelot Imasuen

Lancelot Imaseun who is the real Mr. Prolific of Nollywood, is one of the icons of the Nigerian film industry who has been there from the birth of Nollywood in the early 1990s to date and a multiple award winning director of over 200 movies so far including A Private Storm, Bent Arrows , Home in Exile and his latest blockbuster Adesuwa.

5. Teco Benson

Teco Benson

Teco Benson is without dispute among the outstanding filmmakers in Nigeria today and among his notable movies are High Blood Pressure, The Fake Prophet, Mission To Nowhere, Explosion: Now or Never, Silence of the Gods, Blood Diamonds, Danger Signal, State of Emergency and War Front.

6. Kunle Afolayan

Kunle Afolayan

Kunle Afolayan is carrying on the torch of his famous father Adeyemi Afolayan, aka Ade Love who produced box office hits in the 1970s. Kunle’s Irapada was the best indigenous movie at the 2007 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and his box office hit The Figurine: Araromire won the best picture prize and four other major awards at the 2010 African movie academy Awards (AMAA) and has been well received at local and international film festivals.

7. Faruk Lasaki

Faruk Lasaki

Faruk Lasaki is an accomplished young filmmaker who is more accomplished for his commercials. And his first feature Changing Faces has become one of the most critically successful Nigerian movies in recent time.

8. Chineze Anyaene

Chineze Anyaene

Chineze Anyaene’s first feature IJÉ the Journey shot on 35mm is so far the most successful Nigerian movie in Nigeria and at major international film festivals where the film has won many nominations and awards

9. Mak Kusare

Mak Kusare

Mak ’Kusare is a young and ambitious filmmaker who has won multiple awards for his features, including three awards for his first feature Ninety Degrees in 2006 at the Zuma Film Film Festival in Abuja, for the Best Director, Best First Film/Video of a Director and Best Feature Film. He also directed the Champions of our Time that has won prizes, including; Best Film award at the Zafaa International Film Festival, Abuja International Film Festival, the special jury prize for TV/Video fiction and a special ECOWAS prize at the 2011 Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO).

10. Jeta Amata

jeta_amata

Jeta Amata is a highly rated filmmaker for his ambitious 35mm film The Amazing Grace which won the Best West African Film award at the 2006 Screen Nations Awards UK and for his daring award winning 2011 film Black Gold and the multiple awards winning Inale.

11. Obi Emelonye

Obi-Emelonye

Obi Emelonye who is now based in the UK is a notable award winning Nollywood filmmaker known for his outstanding movies, including The Asylum (2008), Sweet, Betrayal (2007), Lucky Joe (2006), London Successor (2006), Echoes of War (2003), Who’s Next? (2001), Good Friends (2000) and his most successful so far The Mirror Boy.

12. Mahmood Ali-Balogun

Mahmood Ali-Balogun 1

Mahmood Ali-Balogun is the director of Tango With Me, one of the most successful Nigerian films shot on 35 mm and for “Temi ni Tooto” in 2003.. He is also respected for .his award-winning MNET short film A Place called Home in 1998

13. Stephanie Okereke

Stephanie_okereke

Stephanie Okereke’s Through the Glass which premiered in October 18th 2008 at the Pacific Design Center in Hollywood, California and got her the Recognition Award from the California state legislature and the city of Carson is among the top 10 Nigerian movies at the cinemas and also got an international distributor in North America.
.
14. Femi Odugbemi

Femi-Odugbemi3

Femi Odugbemi is a highly esteemed award-winning filmmaker who is notable for his award winning documentaries, dramas, TV Shows and commercials and commended for his Bar Beach Blues and Maroko.

15. Lonzo Nzekwe

Lonzo Nzekwe

Lonzo Nzekwe’s Anchor Baby won the Best Film prize at the 2010 Harlem International Film Festival in New York and has taken him places so far. The film is among the fantastic revelations of Nigerian motion pictures in the first decade of the 21st century.

16. Michelle Bello

michelle-bello

Michelle Bello’s feature film, “Small Boy” had scooped coveted prizes and nominations at various awards ceremonies and film festivals, including Two AMAA awards for Best Art Direction and Best Young Child Actor in April 2009; two nominations at the American Black Film Festival in Los Angeles in August 2008, the Heineken Red Star Award for Innovation in Film and the Target Filmmaker Award for Most Inspirational Film. The film was also part of the Federal Government delegation to the Israeli Film Festival. Ms. Bello is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. where she earned a degree in Mass Communication, specializing in Visual Media. She is the daughter of respected arts promoter, Mrs. Sylva Bello, of the Masoma Foundation.

17. Chike Ibekwe

Chike-Ibekwe

Chike Ibekwe’s first and only feature so far Eternal shared the Golden Screen prize for the best film award with “An Unusual Woman” by Burkinabe director Abdoulaye Dao at the 14th annual “Ecrans noirs” Film Festival in Yaounde (Cameroon) and has been screened at other international film festivals..

18. Niji Akanni

Niji-Akanni 1

Niji Akanni is a quiet storm that thundered with Aramotu his historical film that won the Best Nigerian film prize at the 2011 http://www.ama-awards.com/amaa-nominees-and-winners-2011African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), beating Mahmood Ali-Balogun’s Tango With Me, Tunde Kelani’s Maami, Jeta Amata’s Inale and Lancelot Imaseun/Ikechukwu Onyeka’s Private Storm. Akanni is a seasoned and well educated director who is highly respected in the Nigerian film industry for his award winning short and full length films.

19. Newton Aduaka

Newton Aduaka

Newton Aduaka’s feature film, Rage, became the first wholly independently financed film by a black filmmaker in the history of British cinema to be released nationwide and has earned him a place among the most accomplished young Black filmmakers in the world today. Ezra, his first non-independently funded film, for Arte France was nominated for top honours at several film festivals and was an official selection at Sundance and Cannes and won the most coveted first prize of Etalon d’or de Yennenga (the golden stallion of Yennenga) at the 2007 Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO).

20. Ejim Onyenkachi

Onyekachi Lucky Ejim

Ejim Onyekachi’s multiple award winning film The Tenant earned him a place among the top 20 Nigerian filmmakers. The film notably won the Audience Choice Award, Best Feature Film– at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 2009, Best Film at the Mid Atlantic Black Film Festival, Virginia in 2009 and the Best Feature Film at the Moving Image Film festival, Toronto, Canada in 2008.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima is the author of Young At Art, Best of Nollywood and other articles and books.

The 2012 Golden Globes Winners

The winners are highlighted in the following order.

George-Clooney 2012George Clooney won for his outstanding acting in the “The Descendants”.

Best Motion Picture – Drama
“The Descendants”
“The Help”
“Hugo”
“The Ides of March”
“Moneyball”
“War Horse”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs”
Viola Davis, “The Help”
Rooney Mara, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Tilda Swinton, “We Need to Talk About Kevin”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
George Clooney, “The Descendants”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “J. Edgar”
Michael Fassbender, “Shame
Ryan Gosling, “The Ides of March”
Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”

Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
“50/50”
“The Artist”
“Bridesmaids”
“Midnight in Paris”
“My Week With Marilyn”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Jodie Foster, “Carnage
Charlize Theron, “Young Adult”
Kristen Wiig, “Bridesmaids”
Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn”
Kate Winslet, “Carnage”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Jean Dujardin, “The Artist
Brendan Gleeson, “The Guard”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “50/50”
Ryan Gosling, “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
Owen Wilson, “Midnight in Paris”

Best Animated Feature Film
“The Adventures of Tintin”
“Arthur Christmas”
“Cars 2”
“Puss in Boots”
“Rango”

Best Foreign Language Film
“The Flowers of War” (China)
“In the Land of Blood and Honey” (USA)
“The Kid With a Bike” (Belgium)
“A Separation” (Iran)
“The Skin I Live In” (Spain)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Berenice Bejo, “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain, “The Help”
Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs”
Octavia Spencer, “The Help”
Shailene Woodley, “The Descendants”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Kenneth Branagh, “My Week with Marilyn”
Albert Brooks, “Drive”
Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”
Viggo Mortensen, “A Dangerous Method”
Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”

Best Director – Motion Picture
Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”
George Clooney, “The Ides of March”
Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
Alexander Payne, “The Descendants”
Martin Scorsese, “Hugo”

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon – “The Ides of March”
Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist”
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – “The Descendants”
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin – “Moneyball”

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Ludovic Bource – “The Artist”
Abel Korzeniowski – “W.E.”
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross – “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
Howard Shore – “Hugo”
John Williams – “War Horse”

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Hello Hello” – “Gnomeo & Juliet,” music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin
“The Keeper”- “Machine Gun Preacher,” music and lyrics by Chris Cornell
“Lay Your Head Down” – “Albert Nobbs,” music by Brian Byrne, lyrics by Glenn Close
“The Living Proof” – “The Help”; music by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason Jr.; lyrics by Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas
“Masterpiece” – W.E., music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry

Best Television Series – Drama
“American Horror Story”
“Boardwalk Empire”
“Boss”
“Game of Thrones”
“Homeland”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Mireille Enos, “The Killing”
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Madeleine Stowe, “Revenge”
Callie Thorne, “Necessary Roughness”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Kelsey Grammer, “Boss”
Jeremy Irons, “The Borgias”
Damian Lewis, “Homeland”

Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical
“Enlightened”
“Episodes”
“Glee”
“Modern “Family”
“New Girl”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Laura Dern, “Enlightened”
Zooey Deschanel, “New Girl”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Laura Linney, “The Big C”
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
David Duchovny, “Californication”
Johnny Galecki, “The Big Bang Theory”
Thomas Jane, “Hung”
Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes”

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Movie
“Cinema Verite”
“Downton Abbey”
“The Hour”
“Mildred Pierce”
“Too Big to Fail”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Romola Garai, “The Hour”
Diane Lane, “Cinema Verite”
Elizabeth McGovern, “Downton Abbey” (Masterpiece)
Emily Watson, “Appropriate Adult”
Kate Winslet, “Mildred Pierce”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Hugh Bonneville, “Downtown Abbey” (Masterpiece)
Idris Elba, “Luther”
William Hurt, “Too Big to Fail”
Bill Nighy, “Page Eight” (Masterpiece)
Dominic West, “The Hour”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story”
Kelly MacDonald, “Boardwalk Empire”
Maggie Smith, “Downtown Abbey” (Masterpiece)
Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”
Evan Rachel Wood, “Mildred Pierce”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
Paul Giamatti, “Too Big to Fail”
Guy Pearce, “Mildred Pierce”
Tim Robbins, “Cinema Verite”
Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”

Top 10 Nollywood Divas

Genevie Nnaji 1Genevieve Nnaji

The top 10 Nollywood divas have been selected based on their current active engagements both in home videos and cinemas since the revival of the movie theatre culture in Nigeria after many years of dormancy. They have proved to be truly the leading ladies of Nollywood in local and international movies. They all have their aces. They can walk tall on any red carpet in the world if they can improve their public relations and go beyond the African magic of Nollywood.

1. Genevieve Nnaji
2. Rita Dominic
3. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
4. Stephanie Okereke
5. Funke Akindele
6. Omoni Oboli
7. Monalisa Chinda
8. Tonto Dike
9. Ini Edo
10. Uche Jumbo

Rita DominicRita Dominic

Omotola-Jalade 3Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

stephane topStephanie Okereke

funke-akindele 1Funke Akindele

Omoni-Oboli topOmoni Oboli

monalisa topMonalisa Chinda

Tonto DikeTonto Dike

Ini Edo topIni Edo

UCHE-JOMBO topUche Jumbo

~ By Hope Obioma Opara
Publisher, Supple Magazine
President,
Eko International Film Festival

Angelina Jolie Donates Proceeds of First Film’s Soundtrack to Charity in Bosnia

happy-new-year-2012-2

Jolie for refugees
Angelina Jolie

American actress Angelina Jolie who is well known for humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the SOS Children’s Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive a sizable part of the proceeds from the soundtrack LP of her thrilling new film In the Land of Blood and Honey, which is her debut as a director and screenwriter. The review was published in Supple Magazine last August.

In the Land of Blood and Honey

The SOS Children’s Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been caring for the children adversely affected by the Balkans war back in the 1990s.

“We are happy that a portion of the proceeds from the film’s soundtrack will support SOS Children’s Village in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide stable, family-based homes to children, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender, who do not have their own families to care for them”, Jolie said.

In The Land of Blood and Honey has received favourable critical reviews and last December the Producers Guild of America announced that the film would be honored with its 2012 Stanley Kramer Award and it has been nominated in the Best Foreign Language category for the 69th Golden Globe Awards.

The following is the Official Soundtrack List for Angelina Jolie’s “In The Land of Blood and Honey”:

Music Composed by
Gabriel Yared
(The Lives Of Others, Cold Mountain)
Release Date: 01/10/12
1. When The Heart Dies (3:59)
Performed by Nataša Mirković – De Ro
2. Sables Mouvants (3:15)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
3. Towards The Unknown (2:16)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
4. The Loss (3:04)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
5. Miss Sarajevo* (5:44)
Performed by Passengers and Luciano Pavarotti
6. Evo Jedne Što Se Svira Na Plaži
(Here’s One That Is Sung By The Sea)* (2:53)
Performed by Bombaj Stampa
7. The Waves (5:11)
Performed by Dado Džihan & Waves and Patterns
8. Moja Bozicna* (4:14)
Performed by Rade Šerbedžija & Miroslav Tadić
9. Zemlja (2:13)
Performed by Samir Besirevic
10. Tebi Za Ljubav (3:15)
Performed by Radisa Urosevic
11. Stani Draga (3:52)
Performed by Almer Imamovic
12. Od Srca (From The Heart) (2:58)
Performed by Boban Markovic Orkestar
13. A Wish (3:59)
Performed by Dado Džihan & Waves and Patterns

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima