Africa Film Festival Opens with Promises

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

It was a spectacular start to an exciting week-long celebration of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) 10th anniversary in Lagos on Sunday, November 7. One of the biggest showcases for African film and filmmakers, the opening ceremony of the 2021 edition of the AFRIFF had several stars in attendance. The night witnessed celebrities turn up, looking their very best in different stylish ensemble. It was a night to behold as several Nollywood stars slayed. From the Afrocentric outfits to chic and edgy pantsuits, guests at the event definitely showed up and showed out.

This year, AFRIFF competition will reward Africa films by African or foreign directors as well as African Diasporan films that speak of African issues and stories. Foreign films are also showcased in a panorama section. This 10th anniversary promises to further develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over the world.

This edition which runs from November 7 to 13 at Filmhouse Cinemas, Landmark Retail Village, Lagos, has lined up several industry panel discussions and programmes of interactive session with the cast and crew of blockbuster movies. Top individual stakeholders within the industry, from Moses Babatope, Ayanna Lonian to filmmakers Obi Emelonye, Kunle Afolayan, and Moses Inwang to Wale Ojo, have stirred meaningful conversation since the opening event.

The Multi Choice Showcase on ‘Creative Exchange with African Film Makers’ with the likes of Femi Odugbemi presented robust exchange on issues of filmmaking. The festival chats and vibes around the venue is brimming with excitement that is in synch with AFRIFF’s founder and executive director, Chioma Ude. “I am super excited to announce our 10th anniversary edition, following the global pandemic! It is with the greatest pleasure that we once again bring our varied programme of the very best of cinema and film content to the forefront”, Ude, said at the media launch to announce the continental event.

She continued: “We are proud to theme this year’s festival as one dedicated to Africans for Africa, those who enable us to dream and to celebrate storytelling which challenges society. “I am also very excited to announce that we will dedicate a day to animation and gaming to continue our vibrancy and innovation. We will continue to focus our efforts on training and supporting more filmmakers than ever before, as well as building global bridges, and promoting further cross-cultural exchanges.”

She announced the festival sponsors are Access Bank, US Diplomatic Mission Nigeria, Konga, Afreximbank, Landmark, Pan African Capital, Pernod Ricard and Filmhouse Group. The festival film screening opened with Michael Pearce’s sci-fi thriller, Encounter which stars Emmy award winner and Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Riz Ahmed and Oscar-Winning actress, Octavia Spencer.

The festival will close with Bolanle Austen-Peters’ Collision, a heart thumping story that explores the seedy underbelly of rogue law enforcement officers and the atrocious results as they collide head on with a frustrated young man and a conflicted member of the police force. According to the Creative Director of AFRIFF, Jenny Alonzo, the festival received over 4000 submissions from over 100 countries.

This is the highest the festival has received and will screen almost 150 projects, including features, shorts, documentaries and much more selected by its team of programmers, who watched over 2000 hours of footage. The festival is a world class showcase that presents a complete immersion into the world of film making from key players all over Africa and the diaspora.

With participation from local and international actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, musicians, editors, light engineers, students, equipment manufacturers and businessmen, AFRIFF is set once again to make a huge difference in the film industry.