AFRIFF 2023: INDEGENOUS TO GLOBAL 2.0 KICKS OF TONIGHT WITH POWER RED CARPET GALA AND EXPLOSIVE ACTIVITY LINEUP

        …. reveal plans to strengthen African film to global market

…. Richard Mofe Damijo, Femi Adebayo, Funke Akindele, others to receive Honouree Awards

…Prime Video to close festival with inspirational movie Breath of Life

…Female Nigerian stories take centre stage with Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and Queen of Adire– Mama Nike Art Gallery’s biopic

Organisers of the Africa International Film Festival have unveiled plans for its 12th edition, geared at expanding indigenous movies to the global market. This was revealed during a media parley heralding the festival at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. Scheduled to take place from November 5th to 11th 2023, AFRIFF promises a captivating opening night with the exclusive premiere of ORAH, directed by Lonzo Nzekwe. The closing night will be equally enchanting as it features the highly anticipated premiere of the inspirational movie “Breath of Life” directed by BB Shashore and produced by Eku Edewor.

Present at the parley were AFRIFF Founder and Festival Director, Chioma Ude;

MarCom & Sponsorship Director, Ebuka Ude; Program & Artistic Director, Ikenna Ezenyirioha; Head Media and PR, Latasha Ngwube. Others were AFRIFF Jury President, Stephen Dr. Love; Folake Steaze Johnson representing Chief Creative Officer of NEFTI Paul Robinson, and Middle Eastern filmmaker Samir Abdel Nasir.

Giving the opening remarks, Latasha Ngwube, Head of Media and Public Relations stated that the 12th edition of the African International Film Festival will uncover new talents, create insider opportunities and screen hundreds of  films for free. “The world is coming to Nigeria as AFRIFF looks internally to strengthen and grow in preparation to take African stories made by Africans to the world”.

 The AFRIFF jury boasts of local and international members headed by Stephen Dr. Love. Others are Abby Ajayi,  Nicholas Weinstock, Geneva Wasserman, Wafa’a Celine Halawi, Greg Odutayo, Ranada Shepard, Tsitsi Dangaremgba and Nollywood greats, Kate Henshaw, Desmond Elliot, as well as Multichoice Nigeria’s Bisola Tejumola.

Founder and Director of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude reaffirmed the organiser’s readiness to improve the festival’s capacity towards global expectations. 

 “We are inspired by the passion and dedication of filmmakers and film enthusiasts in Africa, and we are committed to providing a platform for their voices to be heard. This year, the theme is Indigenous to global 2.0, which is in  continuation of last year’s theme, but I learnt a lot about how unready we are. In order to be very prepared, we expanded our panel, our judges, masterclasses to prepare us more for the global market. We are focused on improving capacity building, with industry partners and position the industry further for more opportunities. Next year will be Indigenous to Global 3.0 until we get it right”.

In addition to these remarkable cinematic experiences, the festival will present a selection of noteworthy films, including “Queen of Adire – A Story of Nike Davies Okundaye” by Titi Ogunfere and “Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti” by the visionary Bola Austen-Peters, among others, all of which showcase indigenous narratives from women who have made national impact. Furthermore, the festival will be adorned with a series of diverse activities including Panel discussions, and Networking sessions, leading to the prestigious AFRIFF Globe Awards.

This year’s edition will also unveil three exciting new categories sponsored by MTN Nigeria, these additions include the Honouree Award, offering N2 million naira to each recipient, the Viewer’s Choice category, allowing viewers to vote for their preferred movie of the year, and the Fan Favorite Award, enabling fans to cast their votes for their beloved actors and actresses.  The Awards will be presented to selected actors at the Globe Awards Night, on November 11^th during the festival. Actors to be honoured include Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Chidi Mokeme (Shanty Town), Funke Akindele (Battle on Buka street) and Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun). Others are Chioma Akpotha (Gangs of Lagos), Kunle Remi (Anikulapo), Ini Edo (Shanty Town), Nse Ikpe Etim (4-44-44), Lateef Adedimeji, (Jagun Jagun), and Tobi Bakare (Gangs of Lagos).

The N.E.F.T.I. (NEFT emerging Film Talent International) competition in collaboration with LG Electronics and AFRIFF will also be selecting and rewarding new young talent with prize money of $5000 for the creativity while embracing their uniqueness.

AFRIFF will celebrate the diverse and vibrant African film industry. highlighting the cultural richness and storytelling of African talents while underscoring the importance of continued collaboration, innovation, and investment in the region’s cinema. The 2023 edition is partnered and sponsored by Lagos State Government, Access Corporation, MTN, Prime Video, Paramount, Mikano, HOW Foundation, WIGWE University, PAC Capital, The Refinery, Martel, US Consulate Lagos, French Embassy, DSTV, Showmax, Africa No Filter, NEWF, NEFTI, Spcine, and UCA University for the Creative Arts UK.

See here, Link to the honourees.

For more information about AFRIFF and upcoming events, please visit www.afriff.com

ABOUT AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AFRIFF)

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), conceived by Ms. Chioma Ude, is a world-class showcase that celebrates Cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora. It consistently delivers a rich program to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships. It creates an energetic and exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation for delivering Africa’s most vibrant film festival experience. Its objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favorably with their contemporaries all over the world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through Festival organized fora and several capacity development workshops. www.afriff.com

AFRIFF AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

e-mail: info@afriff.com

website: www.afriff.com

twitter: www.twitter.com/afriff

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Signed

Latasha Ngwube

Head of PR & Media

for AFRIFF 2023

L-R Steven Dr Love, Chioma Ude; Founder AFRIFF, Middle Eastern Filmmaker  Samir Abdel Nasir

Chioma Ude; Founder AFRIFF

L-R Steven Dr Love, Chioma Ude

L-R Ikenna Ezenyirioha – Program & Artistic Director, Latasha Ngwube – Head of  PR and Media,

Steven Dr Love, Chioma Ude – Founder, AFRIFF, Ebuka Ude – MarCom & Sponsorship Director, AFRIFF