Supple Magazine

Eko international film festival is one of the largest film festivals in the African continent. It is a key part of our cultural infrastructure that inspires the country and the world at large. The 15th edition is a milestone themed to celebrate our journey so far endorsed by Lagos State Government. Join us from April 21-26, 2025, as we commemorate the 15th edition of the Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF). This prestigious event highlights the best in cinematic arts and promotes cultural appreciation through film

The Nigerian Nollywood film industry will fully participate in this festival with their films submitted, including submissions from over 55 countries around the globe.

The President/Founder Eko International Film Festival stated  that this  festival has been hosted in Lagos State as long as fourteen years before now and it promotes the culture of cinematic projection and the hospitality that Lagos State commands through entertainment, tourism and cultural heritage.

We will be showcasing different films from all genre of life including the works from our Nigerian film industry, The  festival has done over the years in promoting diverse voices and exceptional storytelling within Africa especially and have created valuable opportunities for African filmmakers by  enriching programming with fresh, compelling contents  from across the continents. Venue: Viva Cinemas Jara Mall Ikeja  

Hope Obioma Opara President / Founder Eko  International Film Festival

SYNOPSIS  “The Bitter Feminist,” a compelling narrative documentary exploring the challenges, stereotypes, and systemic oppression women face in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. The series examines the intersectionality of feminism through the powerful narrative of Ringret, a young woman from Northern Nigeria who survived rape and forced marriage. “The Bitter Feminist” amplifies women’s voices, demanding a radical re-evaluation of societal structures and gender inequities.
Created by Daniel Chukwuemeka and Ijeoma Chinonyerem,

The docuseries will premiere at the iRep festival in Lagos in March 2025 “This project is significant to us,” says Ijeoma Chinonyerem, co-creator of the series. “It’s about giving voice to the women whose stories often go unheard and challenging the narratives perpetuating inequality. We hope ‘The Bitter Feminist’ sparks conversations and inspires real change.”

The five-episode series delves into the lives of women who identify as feminists, showcasing their defiance of traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Ringret’s story powerfully demonstrates female resilience and resistance.

Through candid interviews and impactful storytelling, “The Bitter Feminist” illuminates the cultural, religious, and socio-economic factors influencing the struggle for gender equality. Each episode addresses a critical issue: pervasive misogyny, the devastating consequences of child marriage, restrictive gender roles, the complexities of consent, and the realities of transactional sex. The narrative docuseries critically examines the cultural and institutional barriers perpetuating gender oppression while celebrating women’s unwavering determination to challenge these norms.

“The Bitter Feminist” was produced by Isaac Newton Akah and directed by the talented director Priye Diri. The film showcases the voices and ideas of accomplished women and will leave viewers feeling empowered and motivated. Presented by HardFacts Studios

“Anyone who hates Davido is just bitter. That man is the hardest-working artist in Africa.” – Tiwa Savage

“Davido is incredibly hardworking. He understands that even if you come from a wealthy background, it doesn’t mean you’re exempt from working hard. Just because your parents are rich doesn’t mean you have automatic access to their wealth, because that’s what they worked for. And even if they’ve given you a head start, you still have to make a name for yourself. Davido understands this. He works every day like someone who has nothing. Sometimes, when I see how hard Davido works, I wonder if he even remembers he comes from a wealthy family. He inspires and motivates me to work harder. I should be as hardworking as him.” – Tiwa Savage

BEST PICTURE NOMINEES 

‘LUKAS’   Kapana, Kukuri, Salute! Producer (Namibia)

‘4 by 4’  Deepthi  Iyer Producer (India)

‘AMENDS OF THE FATHER’  Stephen Sorrentino Producer (USA)

‘UNLEASHED’   Kemi Adekomi Producer (Nigeria)

‘ASHES’    Aisha Nyali  Producer (Cameroon)

‘INKABI’    Princess Mhlongo Producer (South Africa)

‘MERCY OF OTHERS’ Taylor Buoro Producer (Australia)

‘TOMORROW’  Marvelous Ebehiremhen Ojiehanon  Producer (Nigeria)

 BEST ACTOR MALE NOMINEES 

‘TSHAMANO SEBE’      INKABI   (South Africa)

‘STEPHEN SORRENTINO’   AMENDS OF THE FATHER   (USA)

‘IK OGBONNA’   ASHES   (Cameroon)

‘TRACCIN RAMEKA’  MERCY OF OTHERS  (Australia)

BEST ACTOR FEMALE NOMINEES

‘RANJANI  RAGHAVAN ‘   4 by 4  (India)

‘MICHELLE TIREN’    INKABI  (South Africa)

‘RACHEL EDWARDS’  TOMORROW  (Nigeria)

‘VANESSA MADRID ‘  MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR MALE NOMINEES

‘KAMEEL AUDU’ TOMORROW (Nigeria)

‘JACK MARTIN’  MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

‘DUMISANI DLAMINI’  INKABI  (South Africa)

‘ALEJANDRO COOPER’  LUKAS  (Namibia)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR FEMALE NOMINEES

‘DANIELE CLEMENTS’  MERCY OF OTHERS  (Australia)

‘MIMIE NGOGA’   ASHES   (Cameroon)

‘SHINE ROSMAN’  LIONS DEN   (Nigeria)

‘ANDILE MASIA’  INKABI   (South Africa)

BEST DIRECTOR NOMINEES

LUKAS  by Philippe Robert Jean Talavera (Namibia)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER  by Stephen Sorrentino (USA)

MERCY OF OTHERS by Damien Giglietta (Australia)

UNLEASHED  by  Kemi Adekomi (Nigeria)

BEST SCREENPLAY NOMINEES

LUKAS (Namibia)

4 by 4  (India)

UNLEASHED (Nigeria)

MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY NOMINEES

MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

4 by 4  (India)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER (USA)

INKABI   (South Africa)

BEST STORY NOMINEES

UNLEASHED (Nigeria)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER  (USA)

ASHES  (Cameroon)

LUKAS  (Namibia)

BEST CAST DIRECTOR NOMINEES

AMENDS OF THE FATHER (USA)

MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

LUKAS  (Namibia)

UNLEASHED (Nigeria)

BEST FILM EDIT NOMINEES

LUKAS (Namibia)

MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER (USA)

4 by 4  (India)

BEST SOUND NOMINEES

INKABI (South Africa)

MERCY OF OTHERS  (Australia)

UNLEASHED  by Producer Kemi Adekomi (Nigeria)

LUKAS  by Producer  Kapana, Kukuri, Salute! (Namibia)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN NOMINEES

INKABI  (South Africa)

4 by 4  (India)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER (USA)

MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE NOMINEES

AMENDS OF THE FATHER  (USA)

4 by 4  (India)

INKABI (South Africa)

LUKAS (Namibia)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG NOMINEES

4 by 4 (India)

LUKAS (Namibia)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER (USA)

LIONS DEN (Nigeria)

BEST VISUAL EFFECT NOMINEES

MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

ASHES (Cameroon)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER  (USA)

4 by 4  (India)

BEST MAKE-UP/COSTUME NOMINEES

4 by 4  (India)

LUKAS  (Namibia)

MERCY OF OTHERS (Australia)

AMENDS OF THE FATHER  (USA)

BEST SHORT FILM NOMINEES

THE WAY   (Turkey)

BEYOND YOU  (Italy)

SA’ANA   (Nigeria)

T’EGBON T’ABURO (Siblings) (Nigeria)

BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY FILM NOMINEES 

UP FROM THE EARTH, OUT THROUGH THE PEOPLE (USA)

THE JOURNEY FOR COMING OUT  (Japan)

MORE THAN OUR SKIN  (USA)

GEORGE (UK)

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILMS NOMINEES

TIMELESS GRACE  (Kenya)

THE DOLPHIN DILEMMA   (USA)

HUMANITY  (USA)

CROSSING THE NORTH  (Italy)

BEST ANIMATIONS FILMS NOMINEES

IN HALF (Spain)

YOUR DEMOCRACY  (USA)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS NOMINEES

SSEKUKKULU  (Uganda)

JAYA  (India)

IWO (TOXIN)  (Nigeria)

Dear concerned persons,

My name is Fitzgerald Uche Onwuka. I am a 45-year-old widower and single parent to three wonderful children. As a brand consultant with over 18 years of experience in advertising, brand management, and consumer experience marketing, I have always strived to provide for my family and deliver the best in my professional field.

I am reaching out today to seek your assistance in raising funds for an urgent brain surgery. A few weeks ago, I received the devastating diagnosis of brain cancer. This condition is life-threatening, and immediate surgery is essential to save my life. Already, I have lost 10% of the vision in one of my eyes, underscoring the urgent need for medical intervention.

SEE LINK TO DONATE  https://gofund.me/b28e2adf

Your support would mean the world to me and my children. I am deeply grateful for any contribution you can make towards my medical expenses. Attached to this letter, you will find a link to my GoFundMe account, which provides more details about the entire process and the funds required.

Forward this message to your contacts to help this campaign reach its goal

*Give Fitzgerald a Fighting Chance Against Brain Tumor*

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Sincerely, 

Fitzgerald Uche Onwuka

The movie is rated  12 +, you can watch with some of your family members

Title: Monkey Business In this captivating tale set in vibrant Nigeria, Dr. Amaka Allen and Dr. Bernard Wallace find themselves in a mysterious monkey village. As they navigate personal challenges and a puzzling mystery involving revolutionary technology and animal behavior, they uncover a web of corporate intrigue that threatens both wildlife and human society.

“Monkey Business” seamlessly blends humor, suspense, and romance, while addressing thought-provoking themes of ethical innovation and the interconnectedness of all living beings. With its rich cultural tapestry, intricate characters, and emotionally resonant storyline, this film promises a mesmerizing and introspective experience that will leave audiences contemplating the essence of life, love, and the ties that bind us all.

Nigerian Hip hop Star David Adeleke Aka Davido has married his heartthrob, Chioma Avril Rowland , in Lagos State. 

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) spotlights the innovative world of animation at Durban FilmMart (DFM) 2024, taking place from 19 – 22 July 2024, under the banner “African Visions Unleashed: From Disruption to Accountability.” Marking its fourth year of focused inclusion in the Programme, the Animation@DFM strand will showcase 8 remarkable animation projects in the DFM Pitch and Finance Forum and present numerous engaging sessions in the Industry Programme, highlighting the growth and dynamism within the African animation industry.

“The 2024 edition of DFM underscores the immense talent and creative energy within the African animation community,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute. “With Animation@DFM, we are not just celebrating the artistic achievements of African animators but also fostering essential dialogues around sustainability, cultural authenticity, and social impact. All panels across the industry programme related to animation provide an additional platform for collaboration, networking, and presenting powerful narratives that African animation brings to film enthusiasts globally.”

ANIMATION@DFM HIGHLIGHTS

The Industry Programme offers specialised sessions designed to connect creators, institutions, and industry leaders. These sessions will provide a space for new ideas and encourage conversations across the animation landscape.

 Animation for Social Change: Addressing Societal Issues through African Animated Content

The transformative potential of animation as a tool for social change will be at the forefront of this session. It will explore how animated content can address societal issues, raise awareness, and contribute to positive change across Africa. Speakers: Ng’endo Mukii,  Tsepo Moche

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE ANIMATION ECOSYSTEMS

Collaboration within the African animation industry is essential for fostering a sustainable ecosystem. This panel will highlight how partnerships across countries and regions can support the growth of the animation sector throughout the continent, addressing both challenges and opportunities.

Speakers: Laza Razanajatovo, Nosipho Maketo-van Den Bragt, Hamid Ibrahim

CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY IN AFRICAN ANIMATION: NAVIGATING THE BALANCE BETWEEN TRADITION AND INNOVATION

African animators can draw inspiration from traditional stories, folklore, and art while infusing their work with modern innovation. This discussion will explore the challenges and successes in maintaining cultural authenticity while pushing the boundaries of animation.

Speakers: Deidre Jantjies, Dianne Makings, Terrence Maluleke, Betty-Sulty Johnson

The wider industry programme will simultaneously navigate animation through a series of panels with partner organisations:

 In collaboration with Fak’ugesi, Africa’s digital and innovation festival, the DFM Industry programme will highlight virtual productions. In the session, Unlocking the Future of Filmmaking: Integrating Virtual Production into Traditional Production Pipelines,

key players from the digital creative sector and the film industry will explore how virtual production can be integrated into traditional production pipelines. This session will highlight the potential of virtual production technologies to revolutionise filmmaking processes, enhance creative collaboration, and elevate visual storytelling.  The partnership with Fak’ugesi will also continue the discussion on Intermediaries helping to bridge the gap between animation industry intermediaries and creatives.

In 2023, the KZN Film Commission developed a comprehensive strategy for the growth of KwaZulu-Natal’s animation film sector, which they will unveil at this year’s Durban FilmMart. Known for its vibrant landscape and dynamic film community, KwaZulu-Natal has been a cornerstone of the film industry in the province. The collaboration between the Commission and DFM emphasises the province’s commitment to fostering local talent and attracting international collaborations. With the introduction of a targeted strategy for animation, KZN is poised to develop this burgeoning sector. This strategy promises robust growth and international cooperation, continuing to position KZN as a key player in the local film industry and DFM as a significant platform for the development of animation.

PITCH AND FINANCE FORUM – ANIMATION PITCHING

Eight dynamic animation projects will be showcased in the forum, where filmmakers will engage in one-on-one meetings with investors. This initiative aims to expand the reach of African animation, fostering growth and ensuring these creative works find their place on screens both big and small.

DFM 2024 welcomes all African animators and those seeking to learn more about this dynamic sector. DFM continues to support the next generation of animation pioneers, ensuring their stories resonate globally and contribute to a more inclusive, expansive, and thriving film industry.

Registration for participation in the market is currently open.  

For more information and to register, please visit our website: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/     

The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality. For further inquiries, contact: info@durbanfilmmart.com  

About the Durban FilmMart Institute:

Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry, where film professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The institute’s mission is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support, and facilitate investment in the African film industry.

DFM 2024 will feature an outstanding lineup of industry leaders in its In Conversation and Masterclass series. These sessions aim to provide in-depth insights and specialized knowledge, celebrating the achievements of notable film professionals while guiding the next generation of filmmakers.

Key Highlights Include:

Katie Irwin, Agent and Co-Head of International at WME Independent, will delve into the complexities of film production and distribution, sharing her strategic expertise that has been pivotal in the success of acclaimed films such as Daddio, Clicquot, and Tin Soldier.

Moussa Sene Absa, a renowned artist, writer, musician, and filmmaker from Dakar, will bring African stories to the forefront, discussing his award-winning works and his commitment to addressing critical issues through powerful narratives.

Layla Swart, a trailblazing producer and filmmaker, will share her journey in promoting and developing local films for international markets. Layla’s notable works include Sew the Winter to My Skin and Knuckle City, both South Africa’s submissions to the Academy Awards.

Chris Mack

Nicola Ofoego

Stanislas Renaudeau d’Arc

Additionally, the masterclass programme will feature industry experts such as Chris Mack from Netflix International Originals, Nicola Ofoego from Black Mic Mac, and Stanislas Renaudeau d’Arc from Frogbox covering essential topics from character development to marketing strategies and animation