NFC, NEXIM in Cannes to talk funding, Collective Management

ONE of the gains of Nigeria’s participation at 2013 edition of Cannes International Film Festival is opportunity to discuss investment opportunities in the country’s film industry. Head of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Brian Etuk, had in a statement said Nigeria was able to achieve this during an interactive forum on film funding and Collective Management Organisation in Nigeria. Etuk disclosed that at the well attended forum, filmmakers from around the world, including potential investors averred that the Nigeria film industry was indeed ripe for concerted and sustained investment inflow to enable it attract foreign and domestic investment and promotion of the sector. The NFC spokesman also disclosed that the NFC led other government agencies including the National Film and Video Census Board (NFVCB), Lagos State Government (Film & Video Censors Department) and NEXIM Bank to this year’s festival, which recorded participation by other Nigerian filmmakers, film critics and journalists. NEXIM Bank representative at the Forum and Technical Adviser to the Managing Director, Mr Hope Yango, said that the Federal Government, through the agencies for film matters, should be encouraged to position Nollywood as an international brand that would attract investment to match the estimated N120 billion assessments envisaged for the industry. A Collective Management Organisation for the Nigerian Film Industry, the Forum was informed, was being established in Nigeria to address copyright and residual value management for film production activities.

June 7 is submission deadline for 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards

ORGANISERS of the Nollywood Movies Awards (NMAS) have flagged off call for entries for the 2013 edition. The awards will hold on September 7. However, organisers say that a new category — Best Short Movie has been added to the categories to be competed for.  The organisers also say that only English and Nigerian Indigenous Language movies produced, released or premiered between January 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013 will be eligible for consideration. Also, they advice that submitted movies should not exceed 180 minutes and or should be in a maximum of four parts while short movies should not exceed 40 minutes. Like other award schemes, the organisers stressed the fact that final decisions will be at the discretion of the nominations panel. Additional information on submission and the awards proper can be sourced at- www.nollywoodmoviesawards.tv

Elliot, Jombo, Bishop, others dazzle in comedy flick, The Place

WITH several award winning movies between them and commendable performances that have spanned over a decade and half, celebrated Nollywood actors, Desmond Elliot and Uche Jombo, are coming together to produce what they both call the ‘biggest movie project’ of their career, The Place, Chronicle of the book. The flick is written by comedian Patrick Onyeka aka Mr. Patrick. The question then is — Who will save the world from destruction? Two unlikely heroes, Bishop Imeh and Mr. Patrick, took on the task of being heroes; the unfolding plots, dialogues and special effects form the basis for the ‘biggest comedy movie in recent times’ according to producer and director, Elliot. Produced under joint production of Uche Jombo Studios and Denziot Production, The Place will be released directly to DVD on June 3, nationwide. Speaking on the movie, Desmond said the combination of resources and expertise led to the realisation of the movie. “I’m excited about this project, and thus, I can’t wait for a cinema date, I have to release to DVD direct. In over one decade of being in the industry, I have done a number of movies but this stands out. It’s classic comedy with rights element, dialogue, characterisation and special effects,” he said. Jombo said putting the movie together was a business risk they hope will pay off. She said: “When I got the script from Mr. Patrick, one thing was clear, the story would be like eating rice without stew if the special effects are not done right so we went all the way. The special effect is something people should watch out for and am also proud of the story, very funny.” Elliot, Jombo, Gordons, Jude Orhorha, Ruth Kadiri and Helen Paul are the actors in the flick.

Award for Television Igho at O’jez today

DIRECTOR General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Peter Igho will receive the O’jez Entertainment Award today at the celebrity restaurant, O’jez, National Stadium complex, Surulere, Lagos. The award ceremony holds monthly and it is given to individuals in recognition of their service to the entertainment industry. It is the second for the television man Igho who was honoured shortly after he retired from the NTA. Igho was Director of Programmes, member of the Management Board of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, for many years until he retired from the broadcast industry. Chief Host of today’s event, Nollywood star, Zach Orji, in a statement signed by O’jez’s pubicist, Media Image Managers, MIM, said the broadcaster is being honoured for his remarkable accomplishment as a media practitioner and a regulator of a scheme that has the potential of impacting positively on the entertainment industry. The event begins at 7pm.