*Asuelime unveiled as Festival Director
THE Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has formally endorsed the forthcoming ‘African Indigenous Language Film Festival (Ailff)’, a pan-African film festival set to stage its maiden edition in July.
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the NFC in statement said, “The Nigerian Film Corporation is pleased to inform you of the above film festival, schedule (sic) to hold in Lagos, Nigeria, July 4th, – 7th 2023”.
”Given the objectives of the film festival and most importantly the anticipated contributions to the promotion and preservation of Nigeria’s Indigenous languages through audio-visual medium, NFC wishes to inform you of its endorsement, for your kind consideration, support, collaboration and partnership.
“While anticipating your consideration in respect of the above, this endorsement, however, absolves the NFC from any legal or financial obligation thereof”.
“Please accept, in respect of the above, assurances and regards of Management of the Nigerian Film Corporation”.
*******
Asuelime unveiled as Festival Director
LAST week, the festival secretariat named multi-talented Nollywood’s filmmaker, Eniola Ojie Asuelime as its festival director.
Announcing the appointment in a release via the Nigerian industry’s mouth-piece, https://www.nollywoodetal.com/, the organisers stated:
“Asuelime, has worked as Technical Director on several production within and outside Nigeria that includes one of the biggest reality shows in Africa, “Big Brother Naija”,” Malta Guinness Street Dance” among others.
“Also, he wrote the format and series produced a first of its kind reality show in Africa, “Celebrity Come Build” that was broadcasted in over 24 Countries in Africa and beyond in year 2021 and he’s currently working on a new reality show, “Mr. Ideal Nigeria” as the Series Producer/Head of Technical 2023.
“Asuelime, a member of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP) as well as member of Nollywood Creative Minds Forum (NCMF) is the writer, producer and director of the following; “No Budget” ” City Hustlers” In Circles” Traffick” Venomous” which are all cinema blockbuster movies and he also worked on others like “Broken”, Quest for Justice” “Father of The House”, “Marriage Diary”, “Twale for Ladies”, “What Men Want”, “It’s In You” Loving Linda Series” and many more.
“Similarly, he has to his credit as director of over thirty musical videos and concerts across Nigeria and as well the producer on the biggest CSR award ceremony in Nigeria (SERAS) for three editions in a row and the GTB Fashion Weekend Show runway 2021 & 2022.
“In recognition of his hard work, Eniola Ojie Asuelime has won numerous awards. One of his movies, “City Hustlers”, was recently nominated for the AMVCA 9th edition.
“Asuelime Ojie. Eniola, is the Creative Director / C.E. O of Ojis Media Limited and the festival director for African Indigenous Language Film Festival (Ailff”23).
*******
What is AILFF
IN an eariier media statement, Osezua Stephen-Imobhio the initiator of the festival, had said that the Ailff, which focuses exclusively on films shot in African indigenous languages, also has , had said that it was “aimed at projecting and furthering the progress of African Indigenous language filmmaking through film screening, training workshops and conferences to proffer lasting solutions to distribution and monetisation challenges of indigenous language film genre.
Stephen-Imobhio disclosed that the festival jury is chaired by Prof. Jeremiah Methuselah, who is the Rector of the National Film Institute, Jos, Plateau State, while the members include award winning actors, Mallam Sanni Mu’azu, Chief Ngozi Ezeonu, former president of the Actors Guild Nigeria (AGN) Emeka Ike, Doyin Amodu (UK-based filmmaker and Chairperson, TAMPAN UK chapter), Ketsia Fodjon (Cameroun-based film lecturer, dubbing producer and distributor of African content). Others are Ms. Rahab Njeri Kimani, Nairobi, Kenya-based film distribution expert and Frank K. Hemans, Ghanaian Indie Filmmaker resident in South Africa as jurors.
