Category Archives: Featured

Rita Dominic   is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director. Nollywood Screen Diva

Please Save Neverland. Make Neverland a Museum and Tourist destination for Michael Jackson fans and people all around the world . Neverland is not MJ’s property anymore and MJ fans are not allowed to visit it. Fans are sad and heartbroken. MJ estate should buy Neverland back from Santa Barbara county , and open it to public just like Elvis Presley’s Graceland. Kindly sign this petition if you want to visit Neverland and want to preserve MJ’s legacy .

SEE LINK TO SIGN https://www.change.org/p/mj-estate-buy-neverland-and-make-it-tourist-spot?

Another thing is that it is a very profitable investment and with this MJ Estate will earn millions every year so kindly cooperate. If someone else would buy Neverland ,we will never be able to visit our MJ’s beloved place and we will left with nothing . We can’t let this happen!! guys i need your support so kindly take it seriously cause we have NO TIME !! Thank You..!!!

Courtesy: Change,com

SEOUL (Reuters) – Around 4,000 recovered COVID-19 patients from a religious group at the centre of South Korea’s largest outbreak will donate plasma for research, an official said on Tuesday, a day after local officials filed a lawsuit against the church. In February and March, a massive outbreak among members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus made South Korea the scene of the first large outbreak outside of China.

At least 5,213 of the country’s total 12,484 cases have been linked to the church outbreak, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Church founder Lee Man-hee had internally advised recovered members to donate their plasma, which is badly needed for coronavirus research, Shincheonji media coordinator Kim Young-eun told Reuters on Tuesday.

Many of recovered church members wanted to donate to express thanks to the government and medical staff, she said. The city of Daegu – where most of the church infections were centred – filed a civil lawsuit against the church on Monday, seeking 100 billion won ($82.75 million) in

damages. Daegu authorities had previously filed a complaint against the church accusing it of not submitting a full list of members and facilities, and not cooperating with city health efforts.

Shincheonji says it fully complied with government efforts. The National Institute of Health said 185 people have so far come forward to donate plasma as of Monday and said they were in talks with Shincheonji for donations. South Korea health officials have said that in the absence of other treatments or vaccines, plasma therapy may be a way to lower the death rate, especially in critical patients.

At least 17 South Koreans have received the experimental therapy, which involves using plasma from recovered patients with antibodies to the virus, enabling the body to defend against the disease.

South Korea has reported 281 deaths from COVID-19. Health authorities said they were testing 176 people who came into contact with crew members on a Russian fishing vessel docked at Busan after 16 aboard the vessel were tested positive.

($1 = 1,208.4500 won)

Reporting by Sangmi Cha; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by William M

Film festivals are not given prominence in the Nigerian Film Industry. Most of us film industry practitioners attend reputable Film Festivals outside the country. Our government sponsors some people that have attended Toronto, Cannes, Berlin e.t.c but find it too difficult to grow the local film festival. This is not the case in some of these countries’ whose Film Festivals we attend. For instance the French government supports French Cannes festival with 50℅ of the budget because of the tourism and growth of their film industry. 

The festival’s budget is about $22 million. Half of the funding comes from French taxpayers, the other half comes from corporate sponsors, according to france24.

Film festival is the only platform that attract most film industry practitioners to a particular country for some days, and the big ones last for two weeks and give opportunities for collaboration, film market etc.

Every government want to develop their tourism industry, and film festivals contribute so much in this area.

The population of California is less than 38 million but they have over 85 film festivals, including Hollywood and others, and generated $144.9 Billion in 2019 from tourism alone. These platforms attract over 250 million visitors annually. All their film festivals are under the California film commission that support and help them to flourish every year. Film festivals are too important for any country’s film industry to grow faster.

Zeb Ejiro (OON) is  professional colleague and inspiration to several younger generation. He has paid his dues in Nollywood and can comfortably be referred to one one the fathers of second Generation nollywood.

For his Contribution the president Obasanjo government conferred on him the highest National honour conferred on any practitioner; the OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (OON) in 2007

When most of us were looking for an office space, he had an office in the 80’s tucked somewhere at Olufemi Sokan st Aguda in  lagos, when many were looking at God for a car, he had this red coloured BMW that was a cynosure of all eyes.

Domittila was a 1996 blockbuster movie that grossed millions and went on to win several awards. I recall with nostalgia how the title of movie domitilla became another word for prostitution.  I will not forget to move commercial in Pidgin …. Domitilla …… Domitilla  …….Domitilla….. Ashawo noh be work soooooo….. that heralded the voice of music producer and voice over artist Johnson Davidson.

The movie starred some of the best of that era Ann Njemanze, basorge Tarriah Real Offiong Kate Henshaw, Achums Sandra, Sonny Mcdon-w  Charles Okafor, Ada Ameh, and late Enebeli Elebuwa amongst others. I have added a copy of the 1996 poster.

Fast Forward to 2020, the Sheik as we call Zeb Ejiro returns with DOMITILLA THE SEQUEL set for release in 2021 which I can confirm will have his master touch ….if you were old enough to watch TV in the 80’s, you will recall the glamourous TV soap opera RIPPLES, he subsequently teamed up with Ralph Nwadike, Tunji Bamishigbin and Charles Owoyemi,  to produce the popular Soap Opera FORTUNES in the 90’s. Zeb has several blockbuster to his credit to include NNEKA THE PRETTY SERPENT , SAKOBI, GOOD BY TOMORROW amongst others.

Our incisive investigative check has revealed that this collaboration between Zeb Ejiro Productions and FilmOne Entertainment owners of FilmOne Cinemas is a multimillion Naira movie production deal starring some of the best cast across the African continent. 

We were reliable informed that the 4  lead female cast has one of Africa’s biggest female Musician cum actress with a a large following.  Also the on lead cast list is a controversial actress who featured in a TV reality show, the third member of  the cast is one of Nollywood’s most sensational actresses whose name is on the lips of every young actress. Completing this assemble is another continental award winning actress who is a mix of the old and new generation of African cinema.

There is so much anticipation from the public for this sensational movie. When I asked zeb what we should expect, he responded….

 HOLD YOUR BREATH for DOMITILLA THE SEQUEL scheduled to hit the BOX OFFICE in 2021 hopefully after COVID19.

By Fidelis Duker

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The Management of the National Film and Video Censors Board recently instituted a reward system in recognition of staff commitment, performance, enthusiasm, leadership qualities and initiative at work for the period covering 2018/2019. The award categories, cutting across integral areas of the Board’s values, activities and mandate, was initiated to spur the workforce towards better performance and productivity for organizational efficiency and competitiveness.

Olawale Kayode of the Office of the Executive Director, bagged the 1st position in the BEST OFFICERS category; the trio of Martha Uweri, Mary Mathias and Maureen Uzozie tied in the 2nd position; while Ejike Nwodo of the Abakaliki Centre occupied the 3rd position.

In the ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE category, Clement Ogbo secured the 1st position; Olusegun Francis, the 2nd position; while Aisha Abiola secured the 3rd position.

Lisa Osilonya sealed the 1st position in the MEDIA LITERACY OUTREACH category; Chioma Obasi stood in the 2nd position, while Ann Ebi-Odeigah picked the 3rd position.

To recognize those that have so far, with little or no motivation, taken up the gauntlet and huge risk involved in motivating their team members to mop up unwholesome and unapproved films and videos from open markets and sales outlets, in the CD SEIZURE category, the management appreciated Eniye Asomba of Benin Centre with the 1st position; Maryam Bako of Sokoto Centre/North West Liaison Office with the 2nd position; and Blessing Akwash of Kaduna Centre with the 3rd position.

The awardees, who were selected across all zones and centres of the Board, excluding officers on Grade Level 15 and above, also received cash awards. 50,000naira was awarded to those in the 1st positions, 30,000naira went to those in the 2nd positions, while those in the 3rd positions received 20,000naira each. They also received written commendations and were admonished not to rest on their oars.

#awards #performance #recognition

The award-winning documentary “Poverty, Inc.” provoked a wide-spread debate, taking on tough questions about development practices in some African markets and what it means for those who remain economically excluded from the enormous potential Africa holds. The special screening will be followed by a dynamic panel discussion.
Please join me, and others on the attached flyer, on the panel discussion, where we will be discussing “What lessons for Canada-Africa Trade and Investment” as scheduled below:

Date: Thursday 25 June 2020

Time: 3:00pm

Venue: Zoom

Register to join at this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H5BSVX94TFqvQCdRcI_-Tw

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), regulator Nigeria’ film industry has joined Nollywood stakeholders to appealed to Lagos State Government to grant state pardon to actress Funke Akindele.

Alhaji Adebayo Thomas, the Executive Director of NFVCB, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

According to Thomas, the board and other stakeholders in the industry want the state government to grant state pardon to Funke Akindele on compassionate grounds and by extension, her husband.

The NFVCB chief said that the appeal became necessary for the conviction not to hamper her future engagements and contributions as a stakeholder in the nation’s growing creative industry.

He said that the board had received a deluge of pleas from concerned stakeholders, including Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) on behalf of Funke Akindele.

Courtesy Independent Newspapers Limited https://www.independent.ng/covid-19-nfvcb-others-appeal-to-lasg-to-grant-funke-akindele-state-pardon/

THE FAITHFUL (or at least selected once before)

THE FRENCH DISPATCH by Wes Anderson (USA) – 1h43

Production : INDIAN PAINTBRUSH PRODUCTIONS / AMERICAN EMPIRICAL PICTURES – International Sales : FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES – French Distribution : THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

ÉTÉ 85 by François Ozon (France) – 1h40

Production : MANDARIN – International Sales : PLAYTIME – French Distribution : DIAPHANA

ASA GA KURU (True Mothers) by Naomi Kawase (Japan) – 2h20

Production : KINO FILMS CO – International Sales : PLAYTIME – French Distribution : HAUT ET COURT

LOVERS ROCK by Steve McQueen (United Kingdom) – 1h08

Production : TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED – International Sales : TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED

MANGROVE by Steve McQueen (United Kingdom) – 2h04

Production : TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED – International Sales : TURBINE STUDIOS LIMITED

DRUK (Another Round) by Thomas Vinterberg – (Denmark) – 1h55

Production : ZENTROPA – International Sales : TRUSTNORDISK – French Distribution : HAUT ET COURT

ADN (DNA) by Maïwenn (France / Algeria) – 1h30 

Production : WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS – International Sales : WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL – French Distribution : WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL

LAST WORDS by Jonathan Nossiter (USA) – 2h06

Production : STEMAL – International Sales : THE PARTY FILMS

HEAVEN: TO THE LAND OF HAPPINESS by IM Sang-Soo (South Korea) – 1h40

Production : HIVE MEDIA CORP – International Sales : FINECUT

EL OLVIDO QUE SEREMOS (Forgotten we’ll be) by Fernando Trueba (Spain) – 2h16

Production : CARACOL TELEVISION – International Sales : FILM FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT

PENINSULA by YEON Sang-Ho (South Korea) – 1h54

Production : REDPETER FILMS – International Sales : CONTENTS PANDA – French Distribution : ARP SELECTION

IN THE DUSK (Au crépuscule) by Sharunas BARTAS (Lituania) – 2h06

Production : KINOELEKTRON – International Sales : LUXBOX

DES HOMMES (Home Front) by Lucas BELVAUX – (Belgium) – 1h40

Production : SYNECDOCHE – International Sales : WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL – French Distribution : AD VITAM

THE REAL THING by Kôji Fukada (Japan) – 3h48

Production : NAGOYA TV – International Sales : NAGOYA TV

THE NEWCOMERS

PASSION SIMPLE by Danielle Arbid (Lebanon) – 1h36

Production : LES FILMS PELLÉAS – International Sales : PYRAMIDE INTERNATIONAL – French Distribution : PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

A GOOD MAN by Marie Castille Mention-Schaar (France) – 1h47

Production : WILLOW FILMS – International Sales : PYRAMIDE INTERNATIONAL – French Distribution : PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

LES CHOSES QU’ON DIT, LES CHOSES QU’ON FAIT by Emmanuel Mouret (France) – 2h

Production : MOBY DICK FILMS – International Sales : ELLE DRIVER – French Distribution : PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

SOUAD by Ayten Amin (Egypt) – 1h30

Production : VIVID REELS

LIMBO by Ben Sharrock (United Kingdom) – 1h53

Production : CARAVAN CINEMA LTD – International Sales : PROTAGONIST PICTURES

ROUGE (Red Soil) by Farid Bentoumi (France) – 1h26

Production : LES FILMS VELVET – International Sales : WTFILMS – French Distribution : AD VITAM

SWEAT by Magnus Von Horn (Sweden) – 1h40

Production : LAVA FILMS – International Sales : NEW EUROPE FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES

TEDDY by Ludovic et Zoran Boukherma (France) – 1h28

Production : BAXTER FILMS – International Sales : WTFILMS – French Distribution : THE JOKERS FILMS

FEBRUARY (Février) by Kamen Kalev (Bulgaria) – 2h05

Production : KORO FILMS – French Distribution : UFO DISTRIBUTION

AMMONITE by Francis Lee (United Kingdom) – 2h

Production : SEE-SAW FILMS – International Sales : CROSS CITY FILMS – French Distribution : PYRAMIDE DISTRIBUTION

UN MÉDECIN DE NUIT by Elie Wajeman (France) – 1h40

Production : PARTIZAN FILMS – International Sales : BE FOR FILMS – French Distribution : DIAPHANA DISTRIBUTION

ENFANT TERRIBLE by Oskar Roehler (Germany) – 2h14

Production : BAVARIA FILMPRODUKTION – International Sales : BAVARIA FILMPRODUKTION

NADIA, BUTTERFLY by Pascal Plante (Canada) – 1h46

Production : NEMESIS FILMS – International Sales : WAZABI FILMS

HERE WE ARE by Nir Bergman (Israel) – 1h34

Production : SPIRO FILMS – International Sales : MK2 FILMS

AN OMNIBUS FILM

SEPTET: THE STORY OF HONG KONG by Ann Hui, Johnnie TO, Tsui Hark, Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-Ping et Patrick Tam – 1h53

Production : MILKYWAY IMAGE – International Sales : MEDIA ASIA DISTRIBUTION

THE FIRST FEATURES

FALLING by Viggo Mortensen (USA) – 1h52

Production : PERCIVAL PICTURES – International Sales : HANWAY FILMS – French Distribution : METROPOLITAN FILMEXPORT

PLEASURE by Ninja Thyberg (Sweden) – 1h45

Production : PLATTFORM PRODUKTION – International Sales : VERSATILE

SLALOM by Charlène Favier (France) – 1h32

Production : MILLE ET UNE PRODUCTIONS – International Sales : THE PARTY FILM INTERNATIONAL SALES – French Distribution : JOUR2FÊTE

CASA DE ANTIGUIDADES (Memory House) by Joao Paulo Miranda Maria (Brazil) – 1h27

Production : MANEKI FILMS

BROKEN KEYS (Fausse note) by Jimmy Keyrouz (Lebanon) – 1h30

Production : EZEKIEL

IBRAHIM by Samir Guesmi (France) – 1h20

Production : WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS – International Sales : WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL- French Distribution : WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL

BEGINNING (Au commencement) by Déa Kulumbegashvili (Georgia) – 2h10

Production : FIRST PICTURE / O.F.A – International Sales : WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL

GAGARINE by Fanny Liatard et Jérémy Trouilh (France) – 1h35

Production : HAUT ET COURT – International Sales : TOTEM FILMS – French Distribution : HAUT ET COURT

16 PRINTEMPS by Suzanne Lindon (France) – 1h13

Production : AVENUE B PRODUCTIONS – International Sales : LUXBOX – French Distribution : PANAME DISTRIBUTION

VAURIEN by Peter Dourountzis (France) – 1h35

Production : 10:15 PRODUCTIONS – International Sales : KINOLOGY – French Distribution : REZO FILMS

GARÇON CHIFFON by Nicolas Maury (France) – 1h48

Production : CG CINEMA – International Sales : LES FILMS DU LOSANGE – French Distribution : LES FILMS DU LOSANGE

SI LE VENT TOMBE (Should the Wind Fall) by Nora Martirosyan (Armenia) – 1h40

Production : SISTER PRODUCTIONS – International Sales : INDIE INTERNATIONAL SALES – French Distribution : ROUGE DISTRIBUTION

JOHN AND THE HOLE by Pascual Sisto (USA) – 1h38

Production : MUTRESSA MOVIES

STRIDING INTO THE WIND (Courir au gré du vent) by WEI Shujun (China) – 2h36

Production : ALIBABA PICTURES

THE DEATH OF CINEMA AND MY FATHER TOO (La Mort du cinéma et de mon père aussi) by Dani Rosenberg (Israel) – 1h40

Production : PARDES FILMS – International Sales : FILMS BOUTIQUE

3 DOCUMENTARY FILMS

EN ROUTE POUR LE MILLIARD (The Billion Road) by Dieudo Hamadi – (Democratic Republic of Congo) – 1h30

Production : LES FILMS DE L’OEIL SAUVAGE – International Sales : ANDANA FILMS

THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS by Michael Dweck et Gregory Kershaw (USA) – 1h24

Production : GO GIGI GO PRODUCTIONS LLC – International Sales : SONY PICTURES CLASSICS – French Distribution : SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

9 JOURS A RAQQA by Xavier de Lauzanne – (France) – 1h30

Production : ALOEST FILMS

5 COMEDY FILMS

ANTOINETTE DANS LES CÉVÈNNES by Caroline Vignal (France) – 1h35

Production : CHAPKA FILMS – International Sales : PLAYTIME – French Distribution : DIAPHANA DISTRIBUTION

LES DEUX ALFRED by Bruno Podalydès (France) – 1h30

Production : WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS – French Distribution : UGC DISTRIBUTION

UN TRIOMPHE (The big hit) by Emmanuel Courcol (France) – 1h40

Production : AGAT FILMS & CIE – International Sales : MK2 FILMS – French Distribution : MEMENTO FILMS DISTRIBUTION

L’ORIGINE DU MONDE by Laurent Lafitte (France) – 1st film

Production : TRESOR FILMS – International Sales : STUDIO CANAL – French Distribution : STUDIO CANAL

LE DISCOURS by Laurent Tirard (France) – 1h27 

Production : LES FILMS SUR MESURE – International Sales : CHARADES – French Distribution : LE PACTE

4 ANIMATED FILMS

AYA TO MAJO (Earwig and the Witch) by Gorô Miyazaki (Japan) – 1h22

Production : NHK / NHK ENTERPRISES / STUDIO GHIBLI – International Sales : WILD BUNCH INTERNATIONAL – French Distribution : WILD BUNCH

FLEE by Jonas Poher Rasmussen (Denmark) – 1h30

Production : FINAL CUT FOR REAL – International Sales : CINEPHIL

JOSEP by Aurel (France) – 1h20 – 1st film

Production : LES FILMS D’ICI – International Sales : DOC & FILM INTERNATIONAL – French Distribution : SOPHIE DULAC DISTRIBUTION

SOUL by Pete Docter (USA) – 1h30

Production : PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS – French Distribution : THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY