BY SHAIBU HUSSEINITHE need to review trends, business policy and regulatory environment of content in broadcasting, particularly the imminent change from analogue to high definition in the country, is one of the reasons organisers of BOBTV have decided to stage a mini-version of the event. Scheduled to hold in Lagos, at the Protea Hotels, Ikeja, on December 8, beginning from 9am, the founder, BOBTV, Amaka Igwe revealed would have experts meet to examine content delivery systems in a high definition broadcast environment. While adding that this is not another ‘talk shop’, Igwe, producer and director of Fuji House of Commotion said the one-day event would feature local and international content available for acquisition in the New Year and also, an exhibition on the latest technologies for high definition, broadband as well as software. Igwe spoke to Moviedom in Lagos.
Couldn’t it have waited till BOBTV 2010?
It is not about urgency, but more like a promotion of content direction for the New Year and as government is coming out with policy on high definition, we thought it wise to have a chat on that at this point.
Why content and not distribution?
Yes, we should be very concerned about distribution and as you know, we have made efforts in this direction. However, are we saying we are not yet in El Dorado as per content? Anyway, the conference is on distribution on HD platform, therefore, the need to pay attention to HD content.
A dozen communiqué in Nollywood and no action
Well, unless the talk is done first, there would be no action, anyway. BOBTV talks have caused actions to be taken both by government and private individuals, so, the effort is not fruitless.
Local content on our television stations
Surprising, they are. The snag is that anything goes: the good, the bad and the ugly, all in the name of local content. But it’s a good start.
And BOBTV 2010
Great stuff: new technology, great networking, great ideas, policy formation ... the usual and more.
Nollywood after UNESCO’s ratings
Of course, it would drop; (UNESCO had after a survey voted Nollywood second best movie industry in the world) and not that I really care about such ratings. Nollywood has been in decline over the past two years and very few people have noticed it. Unless something drastic is done, Nollywood may totally vanish in years to come.
Around and about Nollywood...
NFC/ US Embassy relationship bears fruit
BARELY three weeks after the maiden edition of the Nigerian Film Corporation/National Film Institute/American Film Week, whose objective is to provide a platform for the exchange of information on the film cultures of the two nations, and also opportunity for Nigerian motion picture professionals to get acquainted with new technology in film making ended in Jos, the US Embassy has selected Mr. Ishaku Gumut of NFC to benefit from the International Visitors’ Leadership Programme organised by the US Department of State in Washington DC. The programme, Film in the US, is scheduled to hold from January 11 to 30, 2010 in Washington, United States. According to a statement from the organisers, the programme will provide an overview of the American film industry to participants. Similarly, participants will be exposed to the historical evolution, current trends and impact of new technologies on the American film, the diversity and scope of American filmmaking — from Hollywood to independent and ethnic cinema organisations. The participation of Gumut in the Leadership programme therefore underscores her determination to constantly position the Nigerian motion picture industry through positive exposures of the nation’s filmmakers to international workshops, training programmes and film festivals.
Entries for AMAA 2010 still open
THE Africa Film invites filmmakers to submit their Feature, Short, and Documentary works for consideration by the 6th AMAA, the premier Africa film Awards. Each completed entry form must be accompanied by all the supporting materials listed on the submission forms, including the synopsis of the film, the list of credits, marketing stills of the film, filmographies of the directors and producers, 10 DVD copies of the film and proof of the right to submit. Only films produced and released between December 2008 and December 2009 would be entered for the 2009 celebration of African Cinema to be held in 2010. will be announced in Ghana in February 2010. AMAA will hold on April 10, 2010 and will be televised across the world. Submission forms are downloadable from the AMAA Awards website. For further information, please contact AMAA at info@ama-awards.com.
It’s time for Chinese Film Week in Jos
THE third Nigerian Film Corporation/National Film Institute/Chinese Film Week holds in Jos, Plateau State, on December 2. Venue is the main auditorium of the NFI, Jos. The film week, a collaborative effort between the NFC and the Embassy of People’s Republic of China, Abuja seeks to strengthen cultural and bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, using film as a platform. It is also predicated on the rich film industry of China and Nigeria respectively and their global impact on culture and entertainment. It affords both countries opportunities to share experiences in the art, science and technology of film making for global outreach. The weeklong event will begin with an official opening ceremony to be attended by representative of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, the Cultural Counsellor, Mr. Shan Baoxiang and other key staff of the embassy as well as top management staff of the Nigerian Film Corporation to be led by Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, managing director. In addition, the week will feature exhibition of Chinese cultural artefacts, arts, paintings and photographs illustrating the uniqueness of the people’s and places of China. Some selected Chinese and Nigerian films will be screened during the event. Talk shows, discussions and interactions between Nigerian filmmakers and film students will form part of the events for the film week. The film week is opened to members of the Chinese community in Jos and its environs, film scholars, film enthusiasts, filmmakers, film students and members of the general public.
Jos Business School donates computer to Film Institute
THE ICT Unit of National Film Institute (NFI), Jos, has received a set of computer from the Jos Business School on November 20. Presenting the gifts, Chief Ezekiel Gomos, CEO of the school said the quality of work/production of students and the need to support the institute called for the donation. Gomos said his school was proud to be associated with NFI, which, according to him, had done much to film studies in Nigeria in its few years of existence. Gomos said the school would partner NFI in the development and improvement of its programmes through sustainable relationship. Responding, Afolabi Adesanya, MD, NFC and Chairman, NFI governing board, thanked the management of Jos Business School for the donation. Adesanya said the gesture is not only encouraging, but also a pointer to the need for partnership with the Institute.
Entries for Zuma Film Festival open
ALL is now set for the 5th edition of ZUMA Film Festival organised by the NFC. Scheduled to hold in Abuja from May 2 to 6, 2010. Call for entries opens on Tuesday, December 1 and closes February 28, 2010. The theme is Global Images, Global Voices, which according to the organisers, seek to consolidate on the gains of previous editions. Emphasis will be on bridging existing gaps between developed and developing film cultures as universal themes and global best practices will be adopted. The focus on the global nature and impact of the film medium will be encouraged during the film fiesta and at the same time platforms for filmmakers and filmmaking nations to globalise their films without losing the rhythms and practices that make their artistic cultures distinctively different will be provided. A statement from NFC said that entries should be accompanied with a two minute trailer must be submitted in three copies and must be on the DVD format with the typed synopsis on A4 paper-size. Submissions, the festival organizers said, would be accepted in the Competitive and Non Competitive categories. The Competitive category includes Feature film, Documentary, Children film, Student film, Animation/cartoon, Short film and Emerging talents while the Non Competitive category includes; films on Nigerian Panorama, Universal films, Diaspora & African films, Retrospectives /Tributes. Interested participants can make enquiries by e-mail to md_nfc@hotmail.com and md@nigfilmcorp.com. Similarly, entry forms can be obtained and returned to any of the Corporations offices in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Jos. ZUMA Film Festival, a major activity of the Nigerian Film Corporation is designed to provide a platform for the recognition and reward of excellence and creativity in the Nigerian motion picture industry and other film cultures around the globe.
NOPA holds December 4
THE Association of Movie Journalist (AMJ) now sets ALL for the third edition of the yearly Nollywood Outstanding Personality Award (NOPA) organised. Slated to hold at Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, on December 4, the event will see Adim Williams, Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Kate Henshaw, Dagogo Diminas and Johnathan Gbemutor receive NOPA Awards. Other awards will also be presented to deserving people in the industry.
Waka pass…
Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities
Where has Patience Ozokwo heeled to?
THERE is a producer who doubles as a director and actor, who has commissioned us to find and make sure we get the fiery actress Patience Ozokwo across to him by ‘water or by fire’. The producer, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of a warring guild in Nollywood, hinted that the actress eloped from his set and did not leave her last known address. ‘She is holding down shoot of our soap opera’ the diminutive director lamented. He then swore to deal with her. In fact, he declared that he didn’t want her back on his set any more. Not long after that, his phone rang and the person on the other end was Auntie Patience. We thought Baba Producer would tell the actress off, but whoooosaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. He almost got on his knees to ask the actress back on set. Well, we were later told that the producer ‘never even pay Mama Gee. Say na abeg helep me level dem dey’. So na which one oga producer come dey rake for?
Was Emeka Ike coming from a location?
HOW come star actor and by the grace of the ‘Board of Trustees’ of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Vice President, South East, Emeka Ike, was looking unkempt at the AMP/Eko International Festival event held at the National Theatre on Wednesday? One waka pass mentioned that the Ike he saw that day was looking as though ‘water has not seen his body for days’. Not only that, the waka pass said the star of Snake Girl and other films came to the event without his belt; a reason he spent more time dragging his pair of trousers to cover his red and black boxers than he used his hands to shake people. We gathered that the actor and school proprietor didn’t sit through the discussion session on Nollywood, yesterday, today and tomorrow. They said he made out of the hall, way into the discussion and as he did, he struggled to keep his loose trousers in check. Anyway bro, long time. We offered ‘defences’ for you but the waka pass no gree! The defense: ‘we bin tell am say you just leave location and we insist say the Emeka wey we know, na always fine boy’. We say if at all e happen, may be na because you dey in a hurry to attend the programme, so you no look mirror’.
How about that? To God be the Glory.
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