Guardian

Last Flight to Abuja: Bank pledges support for crash victims

As the first anniversary of the 2012 plane crash, which claimed so many lives in Iju, outskirts of Lagos draws nearer, Diamond Bank, the sponsors of Nigeria’s first film on air safety, Last Flight to Abuja, has concluded plans to give a part of the proceeds from box office takings to the victims of the disaster. This is coming on the heels of the official release of the film on DVD format across the continenttomorrow. The film, which has received critical acclaim, was written and directed by Obi Emelonye.  Only last month, Emelonye’s film emerged as the ‘Best Film by an African Abroad’ at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA 2013). The film was reportedly a box office hit when it premiered at local cinemas, becoming the most successful movie screened in West African cinemas in 2012, raking in an unprecedented N8.5m in one week, beating hordes of imports in the cinemas from Hollywood. Set in Nigeria and mostly shot inside an aircraft,  the flick features Omotola Jolade Ekeinde , Jim Iyke, Hakeem Kae Kazim, Uche Odoputa, Jide Kosoko and Uru Eke.

 Jos to host International Student Film Festival

Jos will come alive for four days from June 18 as the International Students Film Festival (ISFF) berths in the Plateau State capital. Themed, Moving Images: Talking Peace, the festiva, which holds at the National Film Institute, Jos, is aimed at discovering talents and exposing students to international standards in film production. It is also aimed at fostering interaction with industry professionals, reward excellence, raise the awareness of young talents and refine skills through competition on an international level. Powered by the National Film Institute (NFI), Jos; University of Jos (UJ); University of Lagos (Unilag) and sponsored by the World Bank, under the STEP –B project for Centre of Excellence in Multimedia Technology and Cinematography, the festival is expected to draw participants from over 50 institutions of higher learning from Africa and Asia. Over 2000 students are expected to attend. Submission of entries will end on June 12. Entries will be accepted from students currently in schools, and must be 16 years old and above. Post (2 years) graduates of film studies are also qualified to participate.  All entries must be in the DVD format, accompanied by a completed International Student Film Festival (ISFF) entry form, press materials, film and filmmakers’ stills or digital images on tiff, gif or jpeg formats not larger than 1 MB.  Additional information on the festival can be sourced from www.isffjos2013.com or via e-mail, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Grand opening for Cannes filmfest, lean participation from Nigeria

The opening ceremony of the 66th Festival de Cannes held on Wednesday night in the Grand Théâtre Lumière, Cannes, South of France.
A well rendered song by Emeli Sandé, from the film The Color Purple by Steven Spielberg preceeded the introduction of members of the feature film jury led by Jury President Steven Speilberg. Other members of the jury are Vidya Balan, Naomi Kawase, Nicole Kidman, Lynne Ramsay, Daniel Auteuil, Ang Lee, Cristian Mungiu, and Christoph Waltz. The Festival was declared open by Leonardo DiCaprio and Amitabh Bachchan and the Ceremony continued with the screening Out of Competition of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, with the key members of the movie crew in attendance. An advance party, mostly officials of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) are already in Cannes for the festival. They arrived early enough to set up the Nigerian pavilion situated on the grounds of cinema of all nations. The officials came with a few literatures to share and some films, mostly  short films, made by students of the National Film Institute (NFI) to show on a small television screen in the pavilion. The pavilion will, as in the past, serve as melting point for Nigerian motion picture practitioners attending the feast.

Benita to headline Nnenna and Friends’ children’s day show

Former child star, Benita Okojie, will headline this years Nnenna and Friends’ Children show. Benita, an English major of the Reedemer’s University, ruled the airwaves in the late 90 with her chart-bursting album, Child of God. Her motivational song Osamudiamen, was not only a hit but it was on rotation in most radio stations. She also toured extensively and performed before audiences comprising several highly placed government officials. Benita is staging a return to the music scene with a historic performance at this year’s Nnenna and Friends’ Children’s Day Show. Also billed to perform at the upcoming event that will be hosted by wapTV’s Omo Nla and Mazi Ukpaka are Papa Ajasco & Company; Akpororo; Linda and the dance groups, Trace and The Commissioners. The show, which is supported by corporate bodies such asIndomie Noodles, Ribena, Promise PE Gold, Toasties Bread Chips, Panda Paracetamol, McVities Happy Faces, holds  on May 27 at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. There will be two shows (12noon – 3pm and 3pm – 6pm) for a paying audience while the event will be recorded and broadcast on wapTV (on StarTimes) across Nigeria and Africa.

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