The Abuja Film Festival has reinforced its durability profile as it held its 18th edition in the capital city last week.
It demonstrated tenacity against adversity as it returned physically after COVID-19 bullied it to the virtual realm in 2020.
According to a statement by the organisers, the festival, which is the brainchild of seasoned filmaker Fidelis Duker, received a total of 1,771 films from 67 countries, while about 51 movies and filmmakers respectively made the nominees’ list at awards ceremony.
It was a dominant year for Nigerian films as they dominated the 18th edition of the Abuja International Film Festival with the theme: SEE BEYOND – Film Industry under the new normal.
According to the Festival Director, Temitope Duker, who spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the award ceremony which held on Thursday at Silverbird Cinemas , 115 films were screened during the 5 days film festival.
A total of 15 films and filmmakers carted home the awards on the night.
The event played host to top movie actors and producers like Segun Arinze, Lancelot Imaseun, Papel Paul, Bond Emeruwa, the Association of Movie Producers Nigeria President Peace Anyiam Osigwe, Aljazeera News Editor Fidelis Mba, Special Assistant New Media to the Vice President Philip Obin, Executive Secretary Lagos State Censors Board Bukola Adaminoju, Officials of the Nigerian Film Corporation, National Film and Video Censors Board amongst several dignitaries.
According to the Festival Communication Officer, Fidelia Duker, Nigerian filmmakers won 9 out of the 15 categories.
Speaking on the 18th edition, Duker noted that the he is excited that the festival is back as a physical one after the 2020 edition that was a purely hybrid and virtual in its entirety.
“As the world unite together to fight the global pandemic that prevented physical gathering last year, it is important we begin to see films as a tool to air our own opinions; make judgments and become part of the story-telling traditions passed down to us through generations now enhanced and embellished with the aid of ever-captivating and improving technology,” said Duker.
Speaking during the Film Festival, Veteran Filmmaker and Director, Benin Film Academy, Lancelot Imaseun, commended the tenacity of the organisers for sustaining the festival this pass 18 years.
Also speaking, first time director, who won an award under the First Film by a Director Category, Olamide Wale Akimolayan, expressed the belief that the award will spur him to contribute more in the industry.
He said, “It an honour, I’m very happy to be a recipient of an award like this as a first time director, it’s a privilege for me. This is my first movie, and the title is Balokun.
“Nollywood is growing, we have our movie showing all over the world and it’s gaining outside recognition, it’s a win for us.”
Some of the awards:
• Efere Ozako Outstanding Experimental Film
Winner ‘Selftheraphy’ Belgium
• Outstanding short film (Nigeria)
Winner Peter Fada ‘Soja’
• Outstanding feature film (Foreign)
Winner Mucho Wang, Fangmin Wang _China ‘Love Laboratory’
• Outstanding feature film (Nigeria)
Winner Papel Paul Papel ‘Eagles Wings’
• Outstanding short film (Foreign)
Ralph Isenberg-United States ‘Four Motherless Children’
• Outstanding male actor
Winner Ifa Iwara-Nigeria ‘Lockdown Heat’
• Outstanding female actor
Winner Nse Ikpe Etim-Nigeria ‘The Wait”
• Outstanding films music score
Winner ‘Tara’s Diary’ Nigeria
• Outstanding film directing
Winner ‘Balokun’ Olamide Wale Akimolayan-Nigeria
