Guardian

New CEO for Film Corporation

THE Federal Government, on Thursday, named Engineer Danjuma Dabo, as new Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC). The Federal Government also named former Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Emeka Mba, as new helmsman of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Mba, who served out his eight years tenure at the NFVCB as DG, takes over from Engineer Yomi Bolarinwa. Dabo, one time Executive Director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, is to succeed Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, whose tenure as MD/CEO of NFC ended in March. Mr. Tex Benibo, an Executive Director with the corporation, was Managing Director in acting capacity until the recent appointment of Dabo, who is not known in film circles, either at home or abroad. Practitioners of the motion picture industry have been clamouring for the appointment of professionals to man agencies like the NFC and the NFVCB that are connected to their operations for a long time now.

Filmmaker calls for co-production treaties with SA, France, others

The former Regional Secretary Western Region 1, Madu C. Chikwendu, has called on  President Jonathan to instruct relevant government agencies to enter into co-production treaties with South Africa, France and other developed film societies. He made the call in an open letter to the president. In the letter, Chikwendu called on the President to direct all relevant government agencies to negotiate and sign co-production treaties for the benefit of Nigerian motion picture industry. According to the former President of Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and founder of the Lagos International Film Festival: “We don’t need to continue to beat our chests because of previous achievements. Let us cement these achievements with co production treaties. Whereas Nigeria has no co-production treaties, we have countless cultural treaties including the ones signed with Brazil last year.” Chikwendu identified the signing of treaties with strategic countries as simple solution to the myriad of problems bedeviling the industry. Chikwendu noted that though most of the interventions by government represent a concerted effort to structure what is essentially an unstructured industry, the filmmaker wants these presidential interventions to yield dividends internationally. He said: “Indeed, on an international level, the industry suffers from three major problems: widespread and rampant piracy, lack of access to international funds, training and lack of collaboration with major international production companies, the single, simple solution to these major problems is signing of a co production treaty with strategic countries.”

Patrick Ellis comes to PEFTI for music video training

PEFTI Film Institute is partnering with multi award-winning music video director, Patrick Elis, to present a one-week practical training session in music video directing for a fee. Elis is well known in the music industry as a creative genius that has brought several cost-saving innovations. He has also lent his talents to directing outstanding music videos for several top stars including Wiz Kid, Rugged Man, Olamide, Samklef, 2Shotz and Brymo. According to Biola Adenuga, Managing Director of PEFTI Film Institute, “the training holds June 10 to June 15 at the PEFTI Campus in Ajao Estate and it is a great opportunity to get practical training from one of the most talented music video directors in Africa.” Since its inception in 2004, the Institute has produced many well-known performers including Victor Oyebode (Alinco), Deji Bakare (Mr. Nigeria), Bhaira McWizu, Kalu Ezeawa (wapTV’s Omo Nla), Kelechi Udegbe, Mercy Effiong, Paul Udoka (wapTV’s Mazi Ukpaka); as well as several award-winning Directors, Editors, Cinematographers, Make-up Artistes and many more.

Entries open for 4TH EKO International Film Festival

THE fourth edition of Eko International Film Festival will hold in Lagos from November 18 to 23. As with other editions, this edition will present work in nine sections including feature, short, documentaries and student films. This edition will also include a one-minute short designed to encourage people to use their handheld devices to make films on any subject. There will also be a key focus on workshops and industry meetings and lectures to be facilitated by regional and international film experts. The workshop is designed to help shape future generations of Nigerian filmmakers. According to Hope Opara, publisher of Supple Magazine and honcho of Supple Communications Limited, promoters of the festival: “Last year, it opened with a film, Operation Libertad, which was premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, and directed by the Swiss, Nicolas Wadimoff. We will also focus on Nigerian filmmakers this year as we look to strengthening the industry. We expect that Nigerian films will make 60 per cent film of what would be screened this year.”: More information on the festival can be sourced at www.ekoiff.org