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4th Eko International Film Festival 2013 Dates Announced Festival to run 18th to 23rd November
Eko International film festival 18-23 November 2013: The Eko International Film Festival will return for its fourth edition in 2013 from November 18th to 23rd .The Film Festival contributes to the Nigeria being positioned as a creative hub through its focus on high quality, Nigeria cinema.
The Festival presents films in nine sections which includes
Feature Film
Short Film
Fiction
Comedy
Drama
Horror
Documentaries
Student Film
1 minute short films.
More information on the programme will be released in the lead up to the event. www.ekoiff.org
Like the 2012 edition, there will be a key focus on workshops and industry meetings, delivered by regional and international film experts to help shape future generations of Nigerian filmmakers.
“Last year the Festival opened with a film Operation Libertad was premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, directed by Swiss director Nicolas Wadimoff. “We will also focus on Nigerian filmmakers this year as we look to strengthen the position of Nigerian film industry.”
The Eko International Film Festival is presented by the Supple Communications Limited
3rd Eko International Film Festival Pulls More Crowds on Closing Day
The third Eko International Film Festival closed with an impressive audience Saturday night as Michael Oke’s white guy dating black girl love story ?Foreign Love and the world premiere of C.J. Obasi’s Jim & Joan attracted more people than the opening day as the crowd of movie lovers and others who came to the event left satisfied and commended the organizers, Supple Communications Limited.
Aloysius Onyejegbu, Nollywood actor and Festival Coordinator of Eko International Film Festival smiling beside Mr. Fidelis Duker, prolific Nollywood filmmaker and Founder/CEO of Abuja International Film Festival with President of Eko International Film Festival Mr. Hope Obioma Opara and Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Founder/Festival Director of Eko International Film Festival on the opening day at the atrium of the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
People at the atrium of the Silverbird Galleria on the opening day of the 3rd Eko International Film Festival Saturday evening November 5, 2012.
From the inaugural edition in 2010 to the third edition, Eko International Film Festival has attracted top film-makers from the host country Nigeria, the US and Europe such as the multiple awards winning documentary film-maker and political rights activist Iara Lee, the Korean born Brazilian whose latest documentary film The Suffering Grasses on the current Syrian Crisis was seen in West Africa for the first time and rated as the best documentary feature of the film festival ahead of the multiple awards winning Project Happiness of Randy Taran and John Sorensen and other good documentaries in the official selection of the third Eko International Film Festival. The opening film Nicolas Wadimoff’s Operation Libertad was the most outstanding feature. Noel Gálvez’S Blue Sheep was rated as the most outstanding short documentary for its profound illustration of the triumph of the human spirit in spite of the challenges of survival in a hostile environment as shown in the magical story between a documentary and a fictional plot set in Villamayor de Campos in Zamora (Spain) where many neighbours are affected by Cancer, caused by an energy tower.
Mr. Hope Obioma Opara with two Heineken hostesses.
Niji Akanni’s Heroes & Zeroes was rated as the most outstanding Nigerian film and also the most entertaining for the audience ahead of Foreign Love by American based Nigerian filmmaker Michael Oke. CJ Obasi’s debut Jim & Joan was the most daring and scary film at the film festival with hints of Lars von Trier’s outrageous expressionism that the young Nigerian filmmaker said has influenced his themes.
What makes a successful film festival is the quality of the content and over ninety percent of the 22 films screened at the third edition of the film festival have been award winning films at other major international film festivals in Europe, US and Asia. But any film festival is not complete without film workshops and film markets for filmmakers, distributors and others and they have been missing at every edition of the Eko International Film Festival. And competitions have been excluded for now, because of lack of funds and inadequate logistics. The much publicized maiden Nollywood Divas Awards that would have been the high point of the third Eko International Film Festival was postponed until further notice, because the organizers did not receive the cooperation of the Actors Guild of Nigeria ((AGN) due to factional disagreements and petty rivalries among the members who have been boycotting the film festival after their attempts to dictate to the organizers failed.
One of the top nominees of the Nollywood Divas Awards Rita Dominic the best actress at the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and another nominee were seen at the 2012 Kuramo Conference same Saturday night at the Conference Centre of Eko Hotel & Suites International and they wondered how the organizers could launch the awards without any formal invitation given to the 20 nominees.
“The organizers have not done the right thing, that is why we cannot attend the film festival,” said one of them.
But Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, President of Eko International Film Festival said he actually invited everyone of them through a formal official letter of invitation addressed to Ibinabo Fiberisima, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) which was the right thing to do. In fact, he also met with former president of the AGN, Ejike Asiegbu and Zik Zulu Okafor, President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) months ago, but internal disputes caused by different interest groups in the guilds have made him to postpone the Nollywood Divas Awards till 2013.
“We are still going to launch the maiden Nollywood Divas Awards sponsored as a separate event before the next Eko International Film Festival,” said Mr. Opara.
He thanked Heineken, Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird TV, Galaxy TV, National Mirror, Daily Sun, The Nation, The Guardian, Entertainment Express, Daily Champion, OnoBello and others for their cooperation and support to make the third Eko International Film Festival a successful event and increasing his determination to improve the standards in the future editions regardless of the challenges.
3rd Eko International Film Festival Opens in Lagos
3rd Eko International Film Festival Opens in Lagos
The 3rd Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) celebrating Nollywood Divas opened Monday evening at the prestigious Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island in the coastal mega city of Lagos.
The 6 day event attracted movie buffs and the Nigerian news media with a reception sponsored by Heineken Nigeria at the atrium of the Silverbird Galleria.
The Lagos State government was represented by Mr. Wale Adeniji from the office of the Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Government Relations. Other special guests included Mr. Fidelis Duker the Founder/CEO of Abuja International Film Festival and others from within Nigeria and abroad.
The opening film Operation Libertad was premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, directed by Swiss director Nicolas Wadimoff. There will be screenings of over 22 selected films from multiple award winning filmmakers from host country Nigeria, Spain, USA, UK, Austria, France, Argentina, Haiti and Mozambique.
The 3rd Eko International Film Festival is supported by the Silverbird Group, Heineken Nigeria, Starcom Media, Supple Communications Limited, International Digital Post Network and other partners and sponsors.
The daily festival pass in only N2, 000 per person and available at the venue.
The annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) is Nigeria’s leading international film festival in the coastal mega city of Lagos in south western Nigeria.It was founded in 2009 by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima and Hope Obioma Opara and duly registered in the same year.
The mission of Eko International Film Festival is to promote the appreciation of Arts and Culture through the motion picture arts and sciences and boost tourism in the global village.
Eko International Film festival is organized by Supple Communications Limited, the publishers of Supple magazine, the first film festivals and culture magazine in Africa showing previews and reviews of movies and interviews 24 hours daily is on www.supplemagazine.org.
The inaugural edition was held in the mega city of Lagos in summer, July 7-12, 2010, at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas of The Palms in Lekki, Lagos, with filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, UK, Germany, France, Spain and America. The second edition was held in July 2011 at the Silverbird Cinemas of the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos.
The third edition is coming up from November 5-10, 2012.
Silverbird Group Supports 3rd Eko International Film Festival
Silverbird Group, the leading entertainment and media organization in Africa is again supporting the annual Eko International Film Festival for the third edition after collaborating with the organizers Supple Communications Limited for the successful second edition in 2011.
Silverbird Group is a wholly Nigerian owned company established in 1980, to provide contemporary family entertainment. It was started by a dynamic and visionary entrepreneur – Ben Murray-Bruce.
Silverbird Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria
The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant originally began as Miss Universe Nigeria in 1983, created by Silverbird Group and renamed Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 1986. Winners represent Nigeria in Miss World, Miss Universe and other international beauty pageants and in 2001, the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria reigning queen Agbani Darego, OON, became the first Black African Miss World.
Silverbird FM Radio Network
Silverbird revolutionized FM Radio in Nigeria in 1997 when it set up Silverbird’s Rhythm 93.7 FM, Lagos. In 2002 and 2003, radio stations were established in Abuja and Port Harcourt respectively. Silverbird’s Rhythm 93.7 FM is now a nationwide FM radio network in Nigeria.
Silverbird Television Dream Network
The Silverbird Television (STV) commenced transmission in Lagos in 2003, and was voted the most entertaining TV station in 2005 and now in Abuja and other states in the Silverbird TV Dream Network. In 2004, Silverbird opened the prestigious Silverbird Galleria, an international Shopping Mall on Victoria Island in Lagos.
Silverbird Cinemas
The Silverbird Cinemas, the first 5- screens Cineplex in sub-Saharan Africa opened at the Silverbird Galleria in 2004 and also a Silverbird 6 – screen cinema in the Accra Mall, Ghana, and another 4- screen cinema in Nairobi, Kenya. And more cinemas have been added in Nigeria and other countries.
Silverbird Film Distribution
The Silverbird Group also has the Silverbird Film Distribution limited, an independent film distributor of theatrical films. Established in July 2007, Silverbird film distribution ltd, has earned a reputation as a trusted partner in the film supply chain services industry.
Silverbird Film Distribution continues to be the resource for some of the most invigorating voices in modern cinema. Our quest is to engage an ever-expanding audience with a rich variety of films that range from box office hits to academy award winning dramas and comedies.
Project Happiness
Project Happiness (Documentary) – USA
Happiness – I want more! From the alleys of Nigeria and the beaches of Santa Cruz to the mountains of India, ordinary young people lead us on an extraordinary journey to explore the nature of lasting happiness and end up starting a movement. In the quest for a happier and more meaningful life, Project Happiness offers life-changing insights to people of all ages. Project Happiness, the award-winning documentary, focuses on four teens from Santa Cruz, California. Each faces personal obstacles to happiness: loss, alienation and the everyday challenges of being a teenager passing into adulthood. Through Project Happiness, they are introduced to their peers in Nigeria and India and lectures are quickly left behind. Along the way, students engage in conversations with cultural icons from all walks of life including Producer/Director and Education Activist George Lucas, Actor and Humanitarian Richard Gere, Neuroscientist Richard Davidson and others. At the end of their year, the three groups converge in India for a rare private interview with the Dalai Lama – an event that rocks their expectations, brings more questions than answers and marks a new chapter in their lives.
SYNOPSIS
Project Happiness, is a feature length documentary film which follows a senior high school class from Mount Madonna School near Watsonville, California, on a journey to discover the true nature of human happiness. Joining them on this quest are students from the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamsala, India, and students from the Dominion Heritage Academy in Jos, Nigeria.
Using email, blogs and video cameras, the participants from three continents exchanged their cultural perspectives. Over seven months, they shared personal stories, opinions and challenges, which created the foundation for life-long friendships.
Directed by John Sorensen
John Sorensen is a documentary filmmaker working in Washington, DC. He wrote and produced the independent documentary The Road to Yucca Mountain, a journey through fear and nuclear waste, as well as the PBS specials The Giving Boom: How the New Philanthropy Will Change America and the three-hour documentary The First Measured Century. He was coordinating producer for the three-hour PBS documentary Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism and senior producer of the weekly PBS series Think Tank. He was a writer, producer and editor on the A&E television series American Justice as well as the two-hour Biography special J. Edgar Hoover: Personal and Confidential. He is currently the Vice President of Production for Grace Creek Media an independent media production and distribution company. He received an MFA from Columbia College Chicago and attended FAMU, the Czech National Film School in Prague. Prior to working in film, John taught English to Junior High School students in rural Japan.
Blue Sheep
Blue Sheep (Documentary) – Spain
OVEJAS AZULES TRAILER from NOEL GÁLVEZ on Vimeo.
SYNOPSIS
A magical story between a documentary and a fictional plot that take us to Villamayor de Campos in Zamora (Spain) where many neighbours are affected by Cancer, caused by an energy tower.
Directed by Noel Galvez
NOEL GALVEZ (Sevilla, Spain, 05/14/1982) He studied film at NYFA film school (New York) and Septima Ars Film School( Madrid). He has also worked as director, camera operator and editor. He has directed five short films: “Dolor” (2002), “Flashback” (2004), “Tic Toc diner” (2009), “Arturo Penne” (2010), which have obtained a few awards and acknowledgements in national and international film festivals all over the world. At the moment he has just finished his last work, “Ovejas Azules”.
TXIFARRA
TXIFARRA (Documentary) – Spain
SYNOPSIS
Longfin tuna pole and line fishing, the art of deception?
Directed by Juan Bidegain
JUAN BIDEGAIN (Ondarroa, Spain, 07/20/1964) Graduate Bussines Studies U.P.V. Love the image that comes to collect what is going on day to day. 2004/2005: Rockall (DOC’AMATEUR 2006 Best Documentary, 2006 SCOPE Documentary Unit) 2007: Kardala (ESPIELLO 2008 Best Documentary) 2007/2008: Nun (EZBB 2008 Best Documentary) 2010: 0,39 (FENACO 2010 Best International Documentary, NAVAS 2010 Best Documentary, FESTIMATGE 2011 Special Sea Prize)
Free Hugs
Free Hugs (Short Film) – Spain
SYNOPSIS
Natalia is going through a hard time due to her long unemployment and recent break-up. Hers is one of those stories from the economic crisis. Her friend Bea encourages her to experience the ‘Free Hugs’, initiatives where a group of people gather just for the sake of giving hugs to anyone that want them. The aim is to offer affection and warmth to fight against pessimism and loneliness. Is there a way out in the menacing big city?
Directed by Carlos A . Sambricio
CARLOS A. SAMBRICIO (Madrid, Spain, 02/06/1982) He graduated with a degree in journalism from the Universidad Complutense Madrid. He has worked for publications such as Europa Press News Agency and the Canadian edition of “The Epoch Times”. He is the chief editor at “Cinevideo” and he often contributes to online magazines like “Miradas de Cine” or “Cinestrenos”. His first short film, “The Union”, was starred by Manuela Vellés (“Chaotic Ana”, “Kidnapped”) and was projected in nearly 40 national and international film festivals.
Aficionados
Aficionados (Feature) – Spain
SYNOPSIS
Amateurs in living… because life is not suitable for professionals: several characters meet weekly in a theatre workshop in order to cultivate their favourite hobby and, at the same time, make up for their lack of affect from others.
Directed by Arturo Dueñas
ARTURO DUEÑAS (Valladolid, Spain, 09/10/1962) Bachelor of Arts (Hispanic philology); Qualified in Cinematography. He has been Professor of Spanish Language and Literature in the Universities of Tartu (Estonia), Budapest, Mossoró (Brazil) and Lisbon. Artistic formation: Classroom Drama (University of Valladolid), Centre of Acting Investigation “Espacio Abierto”, Degree in Script writing (University of Salamanca) and a Filmmaking Course at the New York Film Academy. Actor and director of casting in several short films, he has directed: Run, run, run (2007), ‘Pucela Square’ (2008) and ‘Un paseo en Rolls’ (A drive in a Rolls) (2009), all of them selected in various festivals. In post-production: ‘Loving company’ (short film) and in pre-production: ‘Corsarios’ (Corsairs) (documentary feature film). Aficionados is his first feature film: www.aficionadoslapelicula.com